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Automotive Lead Technician

Company Overview

Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) is part of Bridgestone Americas and employs over 22,000 teammates in North America. BSRO operates more than 2,200 company-owned stores, including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus and Wheel Works locations. With locations across North America and more than $3 billion in tire and auto service sales, Bridgestone Retail Operations is the right place to build a career. Whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to Serve Society with Superior Quality. We start by offering each teammate more than just competitive pay. We provide formal training, performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, competitive healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build towards your future. We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole self to work and know they are supported. 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. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need.

Position Summary

Diagnoses, services and repairs automotive systems

Sign-on bonus of $2,000 (for first-time hires)

Responsibilities

Customer and Vehicle Service (85%)

  • Personally road tests automobiles (both before and after service work is performed)
  • Performs inspections on assigned vehicles following BSRO procedures (according to M.A.P. Guidelines) to reports findings to service management
  • Assists and instructs other technicians in performing diagnostic and repair activities
  • Adequately explains mechanical diagnoses and needed repairs to non-mechanical individuals which may include teammates and Bosses on an as-required basis
  • Performs advanced and complex tasks for which they are qualified in one or more of the following areas: brakes, electrical, engine performance, engine repair, heating/air conditioning, suspension/steering, automatic transmissions/transaxles and manual drivetrains and axles
  • Keeps store management aware of service area mechanical repair problems as they occur
  • Performs other duties as assigned or as required for the orderly management of the store, such as: removing mounting and/or installing tires, shock absorbers, batteries and other automotive supplies and services; loading and unloading trucks requiring the movement of items weighting up to 100 lbs.
  • Drives Boss or company vehicles to drop off and pick-up Bosses or automotive parts
  • Practices proficiency in the application of BSRO methods, standards and procedures
  • Continuously learns new technical information and techniques in formal training sessions in order to stay or become proficient in automotive diagnosis and repair
  • Maintains A.S.E. certifications and air conditioning certifications as necessary
  • Maintains state inspection licenses as necessary
  • BSRO certifications completed and current
  • Follows all BSRO applicable BSRO Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Policies

Miscellaneous Functions (15%)

  • Maintains service center standards of cleanliness, orderliness and appearance of space and equipment in the service department.
  • Reviews maintenance/operating efficiency of tools and store equipment, i.e. engine diagnostic equipment, alignment machines, brake lathes, etc. If needed, the store will contact the qualified repair vendor to perform the maintenance.
  • Complies with company safety policy and federal/state OSHA safety requirements which include, but is not limited to, the wearing of approved eye protection, proper lifting techniques, proper wheel torqueing, proper footwear, etc.
  • Attends meetings as required by management.
  • Helps to provide on-the-job training for newly employed VSTs.
  • Other duties as assigned by Store Manager, Service Manager and/or Manager of Vehicle Services

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Store Deliveries

  • Tire deliveries contain between 90 & 400 tires 1 time per week depending on the retail location
  • Storage racks are between (4in. & 106in.)
  • Stack tires on carts between (1in. & 72in.) to take to storage. Then place in storage racks
  • Roll tires to storage and place in storage racks
  • Roll tires to storage and place on a conveyor between (18in. & 43in.) then into racks
  • Roll tires to storage and place into stacks.
  • Tires weigh between (11 lbs. & 66 lbs.)
  • Majority of tires weight between (18 lbs. & 27 lbs.)
  • Pushing or pulling tires into or out of tight racks requires (15 to 55 lbs.) of force

Tire Service

  • Perform 0 to 3 flat repairs per day
  • Mount and balance 4 to 28 tires per day
  • Rotate wheels on 1 to 7 vehicles per day
  • Pull new tires for customers weighing between (11 lbs. & 72 lbs.)
  • Average car tire weighs (27 lbs.), Average truck/SUV tire weighs (35 lbs.), Average Off Road Truck tire weighs (44.5 lbs.)
  • Tire racks are between (4in. & 106in.) with ladders and step ladders available depending on the store
  • Wheels weigh between (5 & 42 lbs.) with an average of (20.6 lbs.)
  • Place wheels and tires on mounting machines between (28in. & 31in.)
  • Place wheels on balancer between (27in. & 29in.)
  • Tire mounting handles are between (19in. & 64in.)
  • Use foot controls to remove and mount tires
  • Tire repair stand are between (36in. & 39in.)
  • Pulling back the tire bar to hook onto the mounting machine requires (20 to 35 lbs.) of force
  • Pulling the valve stem with a tool requires (1 to 15 lbs.) of force
  • Wing nut for balancer weighs (4 lbs.)
  • Air impact wrench/torque gun weighs (6 to 8 lbs.)
  • Pushing down on torque bars requires (40 to 80 lbs.) of force. Body weight can be used to offset the force needed.
  • Air hoses hang between (72in. & 80in.)

Oil Changes

  • Oil changes can take between (35 min. & 1 hour)
  • Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of force
  • Pulling oil hose to vehicles requires (4 to 13 lbs.) of force
  • Oil hoses hang between (66in. & 80in.)
  • Maneuvering oil carts requires (4 to 15 lbs.) of force
  • Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force
  • Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force
  • Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet
  • Oil filters are stored between (4in. & 61in.)
  • Individual quarts of oil weigh (1.5 to 2 lbs.)
  • Oil filters weigh less then (5 lbs.)

Alignments

  • Perform between 2 & 10 alignments per day
  • Sliding vehicle plates requires up to (20 lbs.) of force
  • Alignment remote weighs (4.5 lbs.)
  • Sliding alignment jacks requires (10 to 55 lbs.) of force
  • Alignment computer keyboard is between (44in. & 47in.)
  • Alignment reflectors are between (22in. & 60in.)
  • Alignment reflectors weigh between (10 & 16 lbs.)
  • Alignment break arm weighs (1.5 lb.)
  • Step onto and off of alignment rack to access steering wheel, key and to set the parking in the vehicle
  • Use hand tools to make adjustments under the vehicle
  • All adjustments are performed overhead while vehicle is on the rack

Fluid Service

  • Fluid services can take up to 1 hour
  • Perform 1 to 5 fluid services per day
  • Fill transmission machine with 7 to 11 quarts of fluid
  • Fill coolant with up to 2 gallons weighing (9 lbs.) each
  • Old jugs of coolant can weigh up to (30 to 35 lbs.)
  • Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of force.
  • Use hand tools for fluid services
  • Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force
  • Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force
  • Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet
  • Supplies are between (4in. & 112in.) with a ladder available
  • Perform overhead work under the vehicle
  • Maneuvering oil carts requires (4 to 15 lbs.) of force
  • Maneuvering coolant cart requires (4 to 20 lbs.) of force

Brake Service

  • Perform 0 to 2 brake fluid exchanges per day
  • Perform 0 to 2 brake pad changes per day
  • Perform 0 to 2 rotor services per day
  • Brake services can take between 1 & 2 hours per axle
  • Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force
  • Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force
  • Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet
  • Air impact wrench/torque gun weighs (6 to 8 lbs.)
  • Pushing down on torque bars requires (40 to 80 lbs.) of force. Body weight can be used to offset the force needed
  • Supplies are between (4in. & 112in.) with a ladder available
  • Hanging lights are between (76in. & 80in.)
  • Place rotors on the lathe between (39in. & 44in.)
  • Lathe controls are between (34in. & 40in.)
  • Total weight of wheels and tires together weigh an average of (30 to 55 lbs.) and can go up to (114 lbs.)
  • Calipers weigh between (5 & 12 lbs.)
  • Box of new rotors weigh between (5 & 42 lbs.)
  • Brake pads weigh between (1 & 5 lbs.)
  • Brake fluid vacuum device weighs up to (11 lbs.)

Air Conditioning Inspection

  • Performing air conditioning inspections takes 15 to 30 min.
  • Removing and replacing parts can take up to 2 hours
  • Use hand tools to remove or replace parts
  • Maneuvering air conditioning cart requires between (4 & 20 lbs.)
  • Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of force

Electrical Inspection

  • Perform diagnostic work for 1 to 3 vehicles per day
  • Replace parts as needed
  • Use hand tools to remove and replace parts
  • Complexity of work depends on experience

Miscellaneous

  • Opening doors requires (20 to 45 lbs.) of lifting force
  • Closing doors requires (20 to 80 lbs.) of pulling force without the use of body weight
  • Drive Boss vehicles
  • Batteries are on racks between (3in. & 48in.) weighing between (27 & 49 lbs.)
  • Supplies are between (5in. & 112in.) with ladders and step ladders available depending on the store
  • Supplies weigh between (1 & 42 lbs.)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Cold work environment in the winter with a cold cement floor
  • Hot work environment in the summer
  • Oil and other slippery substances on the floor at times
  • Exposure to a variety of chemicals used in cleaning, lubrication, etc.
  • Use hand, power and air tools to perform repairs
  • Reading, writing and math skills
  • Must have a valid automobile driver’s license at all times and be able to drive customer and company vehicles
  • Must have a minimum 5 years of automotive repair experience, completion of Vocational-Technical School program in a related field or demonstrated skills via third party certificates/assessment
  • A.S.E certification in at least 5 (five) of A1-A8 is preferred. Will accept equivalent external qualifications or training certifications. (New Hires with external similar qualification/certification will have up to 2 years of employment to comply.)Maintains Federal, State and Local certification/license where applicable
  • Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical people

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action 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.

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.

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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, financial planning resources and tuition reimbursement, 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.

Join Our Talent Community

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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