Lead Project Engineer

Lead Project Engineer

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.

This position is responsible for providing technical leadership and targeted support for advanced material testing and method development (e.g., wear, traction, durability) and project management for the Bridgestone Americas Material Laboratories (MTLB), located at the Americas Technology Center in Akron, OH. The Lead Project Engineer focuses on designing, communicating, and implementing technical and operational plans for advanced test method development, release, and refinement.

A Lead Professional is a recognized subject matter expert in a job area, typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Problems faced are difficult and often complex. This role requires the ability to influence others to accept practices and approaches, and to communicate and influence executive leadership on a periodic basis.

• Leads large projects or processes of complex scope, with limited oversight from manager.
• Coaches, reviews and delegates work to less experienced professionals.
• Assists in the development of operational plans and implements for areas of assigned responsibilities.
• Drives the exploration of new methods, technologies, and equipment.
• Develops and implements digital tools to support test method data processing and laboratory operations.
• Researches potential new technologies, products and test methods by developing, testing and validating theories on the physical and/or chemical properties of materials and ingredients under various conditions.
• Devises test methods and evaluates laboratory test equipment and processes. May also assist in the development of technical specifications.
• Makes recommendations concerning acquisition and use of new technologies and testing equipment to support business needs.
• Works with internal customers to understand their testing needs and work collaboratively to create new test methods.
• Maintains and troubleshoots existing equipment and validate testing protocols.
• Creates and manages institutional knowledge.
• May participate in intellectual property evaluations and development of patent applications.
• Prepares project plans, project controls and specifications, schedules, cost estimates, production, transportation, installation, testing and/or commissioning of new project deliverables.
• Monitors progress and performance against the project plan; takes action to resolve operational problems and minimize delays.
• Identifies, develops, and gathers the resources necessary to complete the project.
• May include preparing engineering standards, designs and work specifications; developing project schedules, budgets and forecasts; and selecting materials, equipment, project staff, and external contractors.
• Supports relationships through strong communication and negotiation skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Identifies and supports continuous improvement/automation activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

• A basic knowledge of tire and rubber chemistry, properties, formulation, testing, and production; polymers; and/or field failure analysis experience.
• At least 3 years of experience working in an industrial or academic laboratory setting managing technical projects and actively contributing to cross‑functional team initiatives.
• Advanced degree (MS or Ph.D.) in Engineering, Physics, Material Science, Chemistry, or related field.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills (Power Pivot, VBA, SQL).
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and statistical applications, with prior…