Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 76,000 people in 54 countries and markets.
Tire solutions from the Tires group sector make mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Its premium portfolio encompasses car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental has been delivering top performance for more than 150 years and is one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers. In fiscal 2025, the Tires group sector generated sales of 13.8 billion euros. Continental's tire division currently employs around 53,000 people worldwide and has 19 production and 16 development sites.
Job DescriptionPlanning, development and leadership of OE tire development projects in order to meet customer as well as internal performance requirements
- Design and management of a development strategy
- Tire construction and application of necessary technologies, resources and Know-How to meet customer expectations
- Continuous alignment of obtained test results with requirement profiles
- Coordination of in-time tire building, testing and delivery to customers
- Implementation of approved specifications into serial production as well as monitoring of serial production
- Solution of all development related tasks in line with OE strategy
- Participation in line-and technology projects, as well as leading of target approval projects
- University degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Natural Sciences, or a comparable technical field
- Fluency in English is essential for this position (written and spoken)
- Several years of experience in R&D, preferable in fields of product development or the tire industry
- Experience driving technically challenging projects and delivering results in cross-functional environments
- Strong technical curiosity and the desire to understand products, technologies, and processes beyond the surface level
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong stakeholder networks in an international environment
Continental Tires is a global leader in tire technology and innovation. Our local R&D team in Tokyo and Seoul, together with our headquarters in Shanghai, China, and Hanover, Germany, develops OE tire solutions for leading automotive manufacturers in Japan, South Korea, and India. We combine technical excellence, close customer collaboration, and a truly international working environment to shape the future of mobility.
What we offer:
- Join a high-impact team working closely with leading Japanese OEMs, including on-site vehicle testing at proving grounds.
- Be part of a collaborative and supportive team culture with regular team events.
- Work in an international environment with opportunities for global collaboration and business travel.
- Benefit from competitive compensation and flexible working arrangements.
- Central Tokyo office location with excellent accessibility.
Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.
Skills Required
- University degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Natural Sciences, or a comparable technical field
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Several years of experience in research and development, preferably in product development or the tire industry
- Experience leading technically challenging projects and delivering results in cross-functional environments
- Strong technical curiosity and willingness to understand products, technologies, and processes deeply
- Excellent communication skills and ability to build stakeholder networks in an international environment
Continental Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Continental and has not been reviewed or approved by Continental.
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Healthcare Strength — Health plans are often described as comprehensive, with medical, dental, vision, and related programs (such as HSA/FSA) highlighted as strong components. Feedback suggests the quality of healthcare coverage is a meaningful part of overall compensation satisfaction.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings, including 401(k) plans with company contributions, are viewed favorably and frequently mentioned alongside competitive base pay. These plans are seen as a reliable pillar of the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid holidays, vacation/PTO, and other leave programs are presented as part of a broad benefits suite. The scope of time-off options contributes positively to perceived overall value.
Continental Insights
What We Do
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2020, Continental generated sales of €37.7 billion and currently employs around 235,000 people in 58 countries and markets. In 2021, the company celebrates its 150th anniversary.
