Race Tire Production Operator

Bridgestone America, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

12 paid holidays

Vacation time (1–2 weeks)

401K Age Plus Service contributions

Job summary

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. in Akron, OH is seeking an Experimental Technician to operate and assist in building tires, tire components and materials, with a focus on race tires.

You will check materials, run curing presses, mold changes, and tire machines while maintaining quality and safety standards. The role includes second shift duties and involves operating high-precision equipment, performing proper material handling, and contributing to continuous improvement in a dynamic workshop

Qualifications

• Safety rules must be followed to avoid accidents.
• Ability to safely operate power trucks and related equipment.
• Ability to lift, manipulate, roll and load tires and equipment up to 75 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Operate curing presses and mold changing, ensure quality during production.
• Operate tire machines and drum changing per shift requirements.
• Run calendaring/extrusion and stock preparation equipment as assigned.
• Perform tasks in the Advanced Technology Workshop and assist with equipment cleanup.
• Support quality circles and teamwork initiatives.
• Check, verify, transport, unload, and assemble materials as directed.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas and record daily production activities.

Tools

Curing presses

TUO/TIG machines

Tire machines

Extrusion lines

Forklift

Job description

Company Overview

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM), headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bridgestone Europe, Middle East and Africa (BSEMEA), headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, operate collectively as a “Bridgestone West” strategic region. This region services the strategic business needs of teams across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. BSAM and BSEMEA are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation, globally headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products and solutions to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Job Category

Production & Skilled Trades

Position Summary

The Experimental Technician position operates and/or assists in the operation of machines to build tires, tire components, and materials, primarily race tires. Checks, tests, and inspects raw materials, goods in process, and finished goods.

Location: Akron, OH

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits available from the first day of employment
• 12 paid holidays per year
• 1 week of vacation after 6 months of employment
• 2 weeks of vacation after 12 months of employment
• 401K Age Plus Service contributions from the company

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday - Must be able to work 2nd shift 1st shift: 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM 2nd shift: 2:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Responsibilities

• Curing Press Operator/Mold Changer/Final Inspection. Operate and/or assist in the operation of curing presses, mold changing, TUO/TIG machines and other related equipment toward meeting specific work assignments.
• Tire Machine Operator/Drum changer. Operate and/or assist in the operation of tire machines, drum changing and other related equipment toward meeting specific work assignments.
• Calendaring/Extrusion and Stock Preparation. Operate and/or assist in the operation of calendars, extrusion lines, and other related stock preparation equipment toward meeting specific work assignments.
• Additionally, certain other tasks associated with the successful operation of the Advanced Technology Workshop, such as equipment cleanup and operation of technological aids may be required to ensure proper quality of results.
• Perform other typical duties consistent with job factors as required or that may be requested by supervision to meet department objectives.
• Participation in operation aids such as quality circles and performance is expected.
• Check, verify, transport, unload, rearrange and assemble materials, liners and containers as directed.
• Maintain neat or orderly work and storage areas, sweeping the floor, emptying trash containers, cleaning oil spillage, etc., Maintain and record daily production activities, transactions and forklift “checklist”. Properly handle EPA regulated waste within the department.

Equipment and Tools Used in Position

Curing presses with PI, TUO, WSW grinder and balance unit. Also, a doper-blemish painter, tread splice press, storage skids, power lift trucks, large air powered socket wrench, boom type power lift truck, chains, hoist, mold cleaning equipment, drill, hand and bench tools, inspection stand, trim knives, and identification stamp.

Tire machine with programmable controller, hot box, cement, swab, swab holder, concave, bevel and corrugated stitchers, scissors, AWL, hot and v‑knives, protractors, wrinkle pick, ruler and miscellaneous tools and tool box.

Calendars, extruders, HD vertical spadone, and hot extruded bead filler system. Letoffs, windups, tread trays, slitter, gauges and knives, controls for temperature, speed and conveyor, cushion and contour calendar. Weigh scale, base cement unit, adjustable cutting knife, stripping marker and printer dies, perform and final form, mill knives, shears, and solvent can.

Minimum Qualifications

Safety Requirements. Observe all applicable safety rules to avoid accidents. Exercise care when operating power trucks and wear protective goggles when operating saws, grinders, buffers and fillers, etc. Care must be taken to use all safety devices.

Required Physical Activities and Working Conditions

Bending, carrying, walking, standing, turning, handling, sitting, hearing, lifting, fingering, climbing, feeling, pushing, pulling, reaching and stooping. Noise, vibration, odors, and dust are involved. Some work is confining, greasy, dirty and performed in the presence of high temperature and mechanical hazards. Job requires normal vision, walking speed and depth perception. Ability to lift, manipulate, roll, and load tires and equipment up to 75 pounds.

Comments

Must be able to be trained and fully certified for forklift/mobile equipment operation. Reasonable and customary training will be provided by the Company to increase employee knowledge.

Location

Position is located in Akron, OH

Company Culture

At Bridgestone, you are Free to Be We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they bring their whole self to work. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you are made of, because who you are is what we need.

What we offer

At Bridgestone, what really matters is to foster co-creation opportunities and empowering you to be creative and curious to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for future generations. Whatever role you fill, when you represent Bridgestone, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality”, for that, we offer you more than just a competitive compensation; we will provide you:

• A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.
• The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship.
• Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
• A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long‑term well‑being.
• A diverse and inclusive team.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.

Based in Nashville Tennessee, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The Bridgestone Americas family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its global corporate social responsibility (CSR), commitment Our Way to Serve, Bridgestone embraces its responsibility as a global leader by striving to improve the way people move, live, work and play.