Sr. Tire Compound Engineer
Location: Akron, OH
Experience level: Mid-senior
Experience required: 7 Years
Education level: Bachelor’s degree
Job function: Engineering
Industry: Automotive
Compensation: View salary
Total position: 1
Relocation assistance: Yes
Visa sponsorship eligibility: No
Note: The candidates need to have more than five years of development experience in Original Equipment (OE) with advanced tire manufacturers or previous experience working at an advanced tire maker.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop new tire compounds to meet the optimal performance required for customer approvals.
- Maintain and enhance performance of existing tire compounds to meet customer expectations.
- Design laboratory studies to evaluate new compound technologies.
- Seek out new materials technologies.
- Perform forensic analysis on both new and tested products.
- Work closely with development engineers on all OEM and Replacement projects concerning compound selections and performance expectations.
- Travel to plants to assist in new compound development and processing studies as required.
- Communicate directly with other company R&D centers as required.
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES
- The ability to work with cross-functional and international teams is a must.
- Knowledge of plant-related activities concerning compound mixing, extrusion, calendaring, tire building and curing processes is a must.
- The ability to work directly with plant compound specialists, production teams and process engineers is a must.
- Experience and knowledge concerning polymers, fillers, and reinforcements is a must.
- A strong understanding of sustainability efforts in the tire industry is required.
- Domestic and international travel is required. A current passport is required.
- Lean, Quality and On Time Delivery approach Skills and experience are required.
- Self-managed, dynamic, and willing to make the extra effort to push for success is required.
- Knowledge of regulatory issues concerning materials and tires is strongly desirable.
- Proficiency in the statistical design of experiments is preferred.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- BS, MS, or PhD degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry.
- Knowledge of tire design and/or standards are required.
- Knowledge of OE product development is required.
- Exposure to OE plant development and having a broad base of knowledge in compounding science.
- 5-15 years’ experience in OEM compound development.
DEPARTMENT: Kumho Akron Technical Center
REPORTS TO: Materials Group Manager
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.