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Mechanical Engineer (Associate, Professional, Senior)

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.

Business Unit

BAMG - Aiken PSR

Management Level

Individual Contributor

Job Category

Engineering & Science

Position Summary

At Bridgestone Americas, we are committed to creating a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. We are seeking talented Mechanical Engineers at the Associate, Professional, and Senior levels to join our engineering team at the Aiken PSR Plant.

Whether you are an early-career engineer looking to grow your technical skills, an experienced engineer ready to lead significant projects, or a seasoned engineering professional passionate about driving plant performance, we offer opportunities to make an immediate impact while developing your career.

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will support the design, development, installation, optimization, and reliability of manufacturing equipment and systems. You will partner with production, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams to improve safety, reliability, productivity, and cost performance across the plant.

Responsibilities


Engineering & Technical Leadership

  • Research, plan, design, develop, and implement mechanical systems, equipment, and manufacturing processes.
  • Provide mechanical engineering support for production equipment, utilities, and auxiliary systems.
  • Analyze equipment performance and identify opportunities to improve safety, reliability, efficiency, quality, and throughput.
  • Develop solutions for equipment-related issues through troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction, scrap reduction, downtime reduction, and process optimization.
  • Provide technical support and guidance to manufacturing, maintenance, and operational teams.

Project Management

  • Lead or support capital and continuous improvement projects ranging from equipment modifications to major machine installations.
  • Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, and implementation plans.
  • Coordinate internal and external resources to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget.
  • Manage procurement activities including vendor selection, RFQs, capital requests, and project cost tracking.
  • Oversee equipment installation, startup, testing, validation, and project closeout activities.

Safety & Compliance

  • Promote a strong safety culture by ensuring safety requirements are incorporated into all engineering activities.
  • Participate in risk assessments, machine safeguarding evaluations, and implementation of safety improvements.
  • Ensure compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and engineering best practices.
  • Support contractor safety and quality compliance during project execution.

Reliability & Continuous Improvement

  • Evaluate existing equipment and systems to identify opportunities for performance improvement.
  • Lead reliability improvement efforts and corrective action projects.
  • Utilize engineering principles and data analysis to improve operational performance and reduce losses.
  • Support preventative and predictive maintenance initiatives.


Responsibilites

  • Responsible for Mechanical expertise in manufacturing
  • Lead continuous improvement and corrective action activities & projects with emphasis on Scrap & Waste improvement activities.
  • Provide technical support to internal customers.
  • Provides input into the design for new or modified systems, processes or technologies.
  • Manage major projects such as New Machine installation, upgrades, etc. The Projects range from $50K to $1M.
  • Analyze project requirements, identify and address design parameters, engineering challenges and to ensure solutions are implemented accurately, timely and within budget. Serve as technical lead, planning and organizing portions of a project. Budget, manpower and equipment utilization.
  • Oversee project workflow and support internal and external resources to ensure on-time delivery of projects, meeting quality standards and within budget.
  • Ensure all relevant safety objectives and legal requirements, for all activities, are observed and implemented.
  • Participate in monitoring and evaluating the performance of existing systems, processes and technologies and recommends modifications and enhancements to improve quality and/or efficiency.
  • Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Associate Mechanical Engineer

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field.
  • Internship, co-op, or up to 2 years of engineering experience.
  • Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
  • Desire to learn manufacturing processes and project management.

Mechanical Engineer (Professional Level)

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field.
  • 3-5 years of engineering experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
  • Experience managing engineering projects and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and project management skills.
  • Ability to work independently and lead cross-functional initiatives.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Senior Mechanical Engineer

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field.
  • 7+ years of engineering experience with increasing technical and project leadership responsibilities.
  • Demonstrated success leading capital projects, equipment installations, and reliability initiatives.
  • Experience providing technical leadership and mentoring less experienced engineers.
  • Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, machine design, and engineering project execution.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Manufacturing experience in a high-volume production environment.
  • Experience with machine design and equipment modernization.
  • AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks, or other CAD software experience.
  • Knowledge of industrial automation, robotics, hydraulics, pneumatics, and mechanical systems.
  • Experience with SAP or similar systems for procurement and project cost management.
  • Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement experience.
  • Project management experience managing budgets, schedules, and resources.

What Makes You Successful

  • Strong technical curiosity and a passion for solving complex problems.
  • Ability to balance technical detail with business objectives.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills.
  • Collaborative mindset and ability to build partnerships across departments.
  • Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Why Bridgestone?

At Bridgestone, you'll join a team that values innovation, teamwork, safety, and personal growth. You'll have opportunities to work on impactful projects, develop new skills, and advance your career in a world-class manufacturing environment.


We encourage candidates to apply even if their experience does not align perfectly with every qualification listed. We are committed to building diverse teams and believe different experiences and perspectives make us stronger.


Come help shape the future of manufacturing and engineering at Bridgestone.

At Bridgestone, you are Free to Be


We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they feel safe bringing their chosen version of themselves 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. 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.
  • An effective and inclusive team.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is our policy to consider all individuals for employment based on their unique merit and without regard to 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.

Our Benefits

Bridgestone Americas believes that taking care of you means more than just a prescription or dental plan. Our benefit plans are designed to meet our teammates' emotional, financial and physical needs, helping them thrive at work.

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Physical Health

At Bridgestone, we care about your physical health. That’s why we offer competitive benefits to ensure our teammates have access to quality and equitable healthcare.

Learn More
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Emotional Well-being

We recognize that emotional well-being is just as important as physical health. That's why we offer a supportive work environment and resources to help our teammates manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Learn More
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Financial Well-being

Bridgestone helps you invest in your future by investing in you. We provide resources and benefits to support your financial health, including retirement plans and financial planning resources, among others.

Learn More

Bridgestone Application & Interview FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about our application and interview process to help you prepare.

Before you apply for one of the available opportunities at Bridgestone, review each of the skills needed for the role that interests you and be prepared to show how you meet the qualifications.

Whether on a job application or your resume, it is essential to customize your information to highlight the most relevant connections to the job you want.

Once you have provided your information to Bridgestone, you will receive a request for an interview if you are being considered.

In the Bridgestone hiring process, depending on the role you are being considered for, you may have a one-on-one interview or a panel interview, and both can happen in person or via video call. If you are applying for a manufacturing or retail role, you will probably interview in person or at the location where you plan to work. All these factors can change how you might prepare for and conduct an interview, so we have created a guide that covers virtual or video interview tips and in-person interview tips. We have also included other common information you should consider.

Prepare Your “Elevator Speech”
In most interviews, you will get the prompt to “tell us about yourself” or something of that nature. It’s best to prepare a short but compelling description of yourself. Consider including:
Brief summary of your career, potentially highlighting your most relevant job.
Why are you looking to start a career at Bridgestone, or are you looking to change careers/jobs?
What was interesting about this particular role or working at Bridgestone?

Be Ready to Answer Questions
During an interview, you will be asked questions about previous experience to learn more about you. Whether you are asked about strengths or weaknesses or about a particular work situation that you might have considered a challenge or a win, it helps if you structure your answers with the STAR Method.
Situation: Describe the challenge you faced, win you had, or relevant situation
Task: Explain the role you played
Action: What were the detailed steps you took or how you accomplished the task
Result: Explain the outcome
Make sure that it is relevant to the role you are seeking. This method also helps you demonstrate how you accomplished something or overcame a challenge independently or while working well with a team.

Be Ready to Ask Questions
It is also important to ask questions to help you make an informed decision about the role if an offer is extended to you. Remember that you are interviewing Bridgestone as much as we are interviewing you, so asking interview questions is critical.
Some questions you can ask:
What would my day-to-day role look like?
Describe the team I would be working with.
What is your favorite thing about working at Bridgestone?
You mentioned (insert topic here). Tell me more about that.

By asking open-ended questions that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no,” you can learn more about the role and the people you would be working with. And by circling back on information shared during the interview, you show that you are actively listening and interested.

Plan Your Route
If you are interviewing in person, map out the route you will take before the day of your interview to make sure you allow enough time for travel. Be mindful of traffic patterns and look for any construction in the area. Aim to be about 15 minutes early for your interview so you can find a place to park and take some time to prepare mentally.
If you have an unexpected schedule conflict, notify your recruiter via phone/email/text so they can work to reschedule your time.

Dress to Impress
Dress appropriately for the role you want. Different work environments may be more casual, but you always want to look your best for an interview. Consider this for a video interview as well. Most of us have better posture and body language when we look and feel our best. While no one may know you are wearing pajamas, your casual demeanor may not make a great first impression. Make sure you are free of as many distractions as possible. With many of us having to work from home while taking care of our families, we understand that quiet space can be challenging to find for you as well as for the interviewers. While we encourage you to find an area where you can focus and not be interrupted, we understand that life happens and might just happen during your interview, so don’t stress too much about it.

What to Bring
Even if you have provided a resume, always bring one additional copy for each person interviewing you. And for any interview, it’s always good to bring a pen and paper if you want to take notes. Stay engaged in the conversation; no one wants to see the top of your head while you write notes for the entire interview.

There may be a chance one or more of your interviews will be conducted virtually. Here are our tips to prepare;

Check Your Tech
Confirm what platform you will use and make sure that you have it properly installed and launched on your system.
If you use a device like a tablet or a laptop, ensure it is fully charged. Try not to use a phone if possible.
Confirm that your webcam and microphone are allowed and work correctly in your chosen browser.
Test your internet connection to ensure it is strong and working.
If using headphones, make sure they are connected and selected prior.
At the beginning of the interview, verify that the interviewer can hear and see you.
Close other programs on your computer. Getting notifications during your interview is distracting and unprofessional. Before your interview, ensure all other computer windows are closed, and notifications are silenced or turned off.
Switch your other devices onto silent mode; however, have your phone handy if your interviewer is having technical difficulties or trying to reach out via phone or email.
If you need any accessibility accommodations or are concerned about the required virtual platform not being fully accessible for you, please let the recruiter at Bridgestone know. We will reach out to discuss how to best support you.

Prepare Your Space
Conduct your interview in a quiet, well-lit environment, without a backlight or window that may put you in a shadow.
Find a place with a simple backdrop or blank wall to eliminate distractions and put the focus on you.
Avoid taking an interview from your vehicle. If it is the only quiet place you can find, DO NOT attempt to interview while driving or in a moving vehicle; our recruiters will end the call. After all, at Bridgestone, we make safety a business value.

Smile for the Camera
Look at the camera. Looking directly at the video camera (not the screen) is the only way to maintain direct eye contact with your interviewer.
Try to focus on sitting up straight and making eye contact. At the beginning of the interview, verify that the interviewer can hear and see you.
Be mindful of your body language. Not all physical cues translate from in-person interviews to video interviews. Be sure to have good posture and stay engaged.
Silence any other technology, i.e. smart watches; you don’t want to be distracted or appear disinterested during your interview."

When the interview ends, whether virtual or in person, you can ask what to expect as the next step in the process. The person conducting the interview can let you know if there are additional interviews to expect or if you will hear from HR with a decision as to whether you have been chosen for the role.

We ask that you be patient as we may have several candidates to interview, but we value your time and will offer the professional courtesy of a response either way. Also, if you are no longer interested in the role or have accepted another role, please notify your recruiter so they can remove you from the interview process.

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As a member of our Talent Community, you will receive access to news, events and career opportunities at Bridgestone. Sign up now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us.

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