R&D Engineer

Research & Development Engineer

Kumho Tire is a global tire manufacturer with more than 60 years of experience in tire technology, automotive manufacturing, product development, and innovation. At our manufacturing facility in Macon, Georgia, we combine advanced manufacturing technology, engineering expertise, and quality systems to produce high-performance tires for customers worldwide.

We are seeking a Research & Development Engineer to support prototype tire development, Original Equipment (OE/OEM) tire testing, product validation, quality inspections, and technical coordination.

This position works closely with Production, Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Research & Development (R&D) teams in the United States and South Korea to ensure tire products meet technical specifications, customer requirements, and established quality standards.

Job Summary

The Tire Testing & Development Engineer coordinates prototype and OEM tire production, testing, inspection, and technical documentation throughout the product development and validation process.

This role is responsible for reviewing engineering specifications, analyzing tire testing results, coordinating product inspections, maintaining quality documentation, and supporting communication between manufacturing operations and international R&D facilities.

Key Responsibilities

Tire Testing & Product Development

• Coordinate prototype tire production, OEM tire testing, and product inspections with Production, Quality Assurance, and R&D teams.
• Review technical specifications, engineering requirements, and testing procedures to ensure products meet established standards.
• Coordinate tire testing schedules, test requests, and product validation activities.
• Analyze tire testing results, identify potential quality concerns, and communicate findings to appropriate teams.
• Maintain accurate test data, engineering reports, technical documentation, and product testing records.
• Track specification changes and maintain accurate revision histories.
• Support product development activities and testing requirements for new and existing tire products.

Product Quality & Inspection

• Coordinate tire selection and preparation for required testing and inspection activities.
• Arrange visual inspections, X-ray inspections, and shearography testing to evaluate tire quality and identify potential defects.
• Track inspection results, document findings, and follow up on quality concerns.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Engineering teams to investigate testing failures and product quality issues.
• Support corrective action activities and product requalification when required.
• Maintain product identification and traceability throughout the testing and inspection process.

Technical Documentation & Quality Systems

• Maintain and update Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) documentation, Control Plans, and manufacturing process procedures.
• Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities and applicable automotive quality requirements.
• Maintain technical specifications, inspection records, test results, and quality documentation.
• Support customer quality audits and automotive manufacturer requirements.
• Assist with corrective actions, product validation, and requalification documentation.
• Maintain and update foam process specifications, FMEA documentation, and Control Plans.

R&D Coordination & Test Tire Logistics

• Communicate with Korean R&D centers and external testing facilities regarding technical specifications, testing requirements, schedules, and results.
• Coordinate testing activities and communicate project updates across multiple departments.
• Manage test tire shipments, including product identification, traceability, packing, and shipping documentation.
• Ensure tires are properly selected, labeled, documented, and prepared for transportation to testing facilities.
• Monitor testing schedules and follow up with internal and external teams to support timely project completion.
• Maintain organized records of testing activities, shipment information, and technical communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a science-related field required.
• Experience in automotive manufacturing, product testing, engineering, quality assurance, or product development preferred.
• Knowledge of automotive quality systems and Core Tools, including FMEA, Control Plans, and APQP, preferred.
• Experience supporting automotive manufacturer (OEM) audits preferred.
• Ability to review engineering specifications, technical documents, and product testing requirements.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate test results and identify potential quality concerns.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects, testing schedules, and technical requirements simultaneously.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with Production, Quality, Engineering, and R&D teams.
• Bilingual Korean/English proficiency preferred, but not required.

Why Join Kumho Tire Georgia?

At Kumho Tire Georgia, our engineering and technical teams play an important role in developing, testing, and validating high-performance tires for the automotive industry.

This position provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with prototype development, OEM tire testing, product validation, quality engineering, X-ray and shearography inspections, automotive quality systems, and international R&D collaboration.

You will work with manufacturing, engineering, and quality professionals while supporting product development projects and automotive customer requirements.

If you have a background in Test Engineering, Product Development, Automotive Engineering, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Product Testing, we encourage you to apply and grow your career with Kumho Tire Georgia.