Automotive Lead Technician

016047 Santa Barbara

Full time

2026_23118

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 $4.5 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. 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.

Job Category

Retail

Position Summary

The Lead Technician position requires your experience and technical expertise to diagnose drivability and electrical systems, while using your leadership and mentoring skills in driving a team toward increased customer care and satisfaction.Pay Range: $30.42 - $58.04

Our technicians enjoy a performance-based compensation model known as flat-rate pay. This system rewards our skilled professionals with a predetermined amount for each eligible task, fostering a culture of quality and efficiency and swift task accomplishment, ensuring you're fairly rewarded for your expertise and dedication. The rates shown reflect earning potential within this region and may be lower or higher based on available work, individual productivity, and experience.

Bridgestone is committed to fair and lawful compensation practices. All employees receive pay that meets or exceeds the applicable minimum wage requirements.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair to specifications - brake and hydraulic, exhaust, primary and/or advanced fuel ignition and electrical, suspension and alignment, air conditioning and computer systems.

• Adequately explain technical diagnoses and needed repairs to non-mechanical individuals.

• Stay current with rapidly changing automotive technology through continuous paid formal training.

• Assist and train technicians/mechanics in performing technical activities.

• Obtain or maintain A.S.E. certifications in at least five of A1 – A8 within first two years of employment. (Tests and registrations fees are paid for by company pass or fail. Technicians receive bonus for each test passed)

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have a valid automobile driver's license at all times and be able to drive customer and company vehicles.

• Skilled in brakes diagnosis/repair

• Skilled in alignment, steering & suspension diagnosis/repair

• Skilled in general automotive maintenance & tire repair

• Current federal, state and local certification/license where applicable.

• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical people.

• Reading, writing and math skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of any of the following:

• Electrical/electronic systems

• Engine repair

• Engine performance

• Automatic transmission/transaxle

• Manual drivetrain/transmission

• Automotive heating/AC

• 5 years of automotive repair experience, demonstrated skills via third party assessments/certifications, or completion of Vocational-Technical School Program

• A.S.E. certification in at least 3 of A1-A8 (L1 can be one of the three – Brakes and Steering & Suspension A.S.E.s preferred)

OUR CREW KNOWS BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental and Vision – Starting day 1 for all our teammates

• Paid vacation and holidays

• On-the-job training and company-funded ASE certifications

• Flexible work schedule

• 401(k) match

• On demand pay (daily pay) program available

OUR VALUES GIVE BACK TO YOU

• Professional Development: No matter where you’re at in your career, we’ve got the resources to help you level up.

• Community Involvement: We pride ourselves on working with our local communities and giving back where we can.

• Integrity & Teamwork: Part of what makes our teams different is our drive to do things right, always, together.

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.

Based in Nashville Tennessee, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The Bridgestone Americas family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its global corporate social responsibility (CSR), commitment Our Way to Serve, Bridgestone embraces its responsibility as a global leader by striving to improve the way people move, live, work and play.