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Tire Development Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Tire Engineer

Richburg, SC · On-site

$96K - $132K/yr

Research & Development Reports To: Director of R&D / Senior Manager - Product Development FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Richburg, SC, USA Summary: The Senior Engineer - Tire Development is ...

Job Title R&D Tire CAD Engineer Department: Research & Development Reports To: R&D Development Engineer / R&D Manager FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Richburg, SC Summary: The R&D Tire CAD Engineer is ...

Senior Tire Engineer

Richburg, SC · On-site

$110 - $140/hr

Research & Development Reports To: Director of R&D / Senior Manager - Product Development FLSA Status: Exempt Summary: The Senior Engineer - Tire Development is responsible for overseeing the full ...

$120 - $160/hr

Research & Development Reports To: Director of R&D / Senior Manager - Product Development FLSA Status: Exempt Summary: The Senior Engineer - Tire Development is responsible for overseeing the full ...

Staff Tire Engineer - Chassis

Irvine, CA · On-site

$137K - $172K/yr

As a Lead Tire Engineer, you will be responsible for the development of passenger car radial and light truck radial tires, tire-wheel assemblies, and related tire system deliverables for Rivian ...

Staff Tire Engineer - Chassis

Irvine, CA · On-site

$137K - $172K/yr

As a Lead Tire Engineer, you will be responsible for the development of passenger car radial and light truck radial tires, tire-wheel assemblies, and related tire system deliverables for Rivian ...

Staff Tire Engineer - Chassis

Irvine, CA · On-site

$137K - $172K/yr

As a Lead Tire Engineer, you will be responsible for the development of passenger car radial and light truck radial tires, tire-wheel assemblies, and related tire system deliverables for Rivian ...

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Tire Development Engineer information

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$49K

$96.2K

$153.5K

How much do tire development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for tire development engineer in the United States is $96,155.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,500.00 and $106,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a tire development engineer do?

A Tire Development Engineer is responsible for designing, testing, and improving tires to meet performance, safety, and durability requirements. They work with materials, tread patterns, and structural components to optimize tire characteristics for various vehicles and driving conditions. Tire Development Engineers collaborate with manufacturing, quality assurance, and research teams to bring new tire concepts from prototype to production. Their work involves a combination of computer modeling, laboratory testing, and real-world evaluations to ensure tires meet industry and regulatory standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a tire development engineer?

To thrive as a Tire Development Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or automotive engineering, strong analytical skills, and experience with tire design principles. Familiarity with CAD software, finite element analysis tools, and industry standards—as well as relevant certifications—are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication help you excel in cross-functional environments. These competencies are crucial for developing safe, high-performance tires that meet regulatory and customer requirements.

What are some typical challenges faced by tire development engineers when balancing performance, safety, and cost requirements?

Tire Development Engineers often navigate the complex challenge of balancing performance, safety, and cost when designing new tire products. Meeting high safety standards and performance targets—such as grip, durability, and fuel efficiency—can sometimes conflict with cost constraints or manufacturability. Engineers must work closely with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, testing, and procurement, to ensure that design solutions satisfy regulatory requirements while remaining commercially viable. Staying up to date with new materials and testing methods also presents ongoing challenges but offers opportunities for innovation and professional growth.

What is the difference between Tire Development Engineer vs Tire Test Engineer?

AspectTire Development EngineerTire Test Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing new tire productsTesting and evaluating tire performance
Required SkillsMaterial science, CAD, engineering designTesting procedures, data analysis, lab equipment
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, R&D facilities, manufacturing plantsTesting labs, vehicle testing sites
Common CertificationsMechanical or automotive engineering degreesQuality assurance, testing certifications

While Tire Development Engineers focus on creating and designing new tires, Tire Test Engineers specialize in evaluating tire performance through testing. Both roles require engineering backgrounds and often collaborate during product development to ensure tires meet safety and quality standards.

How to become a tire development engineer?

To become a tire development engineer, a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, or a related field is typically required. Gaining experience with rubber materials, testing methods, and CAD software is important, and advanced roles may require a master's degree or specialized training in tire design and manufacturing processes.
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What cities are hiring for Tire Development Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Tire Development Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Tire Development Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Tire Development Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Tire Development Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,155 per year, or $46.2 per hour.

Tire Development Engineer I

Yokohama Tire Corporation

Cornelius, NC • On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Summary
The Development Engineer I requires knowledge of general engineering principles to develop a capability in tire design and analysis. The Development Engineer is responsible for learning the various phases of tire development including the design of experiments, testing and analysis of results.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct basic projects including benchmarking, product enhancement and line expansions.
  • Follow and implement already developed project plans.
  • Track project expenses versus an existing budget.
  • Check mold drawings and assure adherence to design standards.
  • Set up experimental designs to meet performance targets with assistance.
  • Work with tire manufacturing groups to build and verify experimental tire builds.
  • Generate test requests, oversee tire testing and summarize test results.
  • Issue development project interim and final reports. Present results to management and other internal departments.
  • Perform required internal and external testing to certify products into production.
  • Participate in regular department meetings.
  • Conduct regular design reviews on assigned projects.

Knowledge and Skills
  • Effective written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong technical, analytic and problem solving skills.
  • Proficient in the use of engineering software tools such as 3D CAD programs, Matlab, statistical software and Microsoft Office.

Education and Experience
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
  • Minimum of 0-3 years' experience required

Physical Requirements
  • Must be able to remain in a stationary position, often sitting for prolonged periods of time while working on a computer.
  • Ability to repeat motions that include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
  • Occasionally work indoors in a warehouse environment where temperature regulation may be inconsistent, and where there is exposure to noise, and machinery.
  • Employees must possess the ability to regularly lift, carry, push, pull and move materials and objects weighing up to 40 pounds.