Occupation · SOC 51-9197
Tire Builders
Operate machines to build tires.
Median wage
$55,580
$39,990–$70,250
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
20,970
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringActive ListeningCritical ThinkingMonitoring
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingAdministration and ManagementMechanical
Technology & tools
Electronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareProject management software
Representative tasks
Build semi-raw rubber treads onto buffed tire casings to prepare tires for vulcanization in recapping or retreading processes.Trim excess rubber and imperfections during retreading processes.Fill cuts and holes in tires, using hot rubber.Place tires into molds for new tread.Fit inner tubes and final layers of rubber onto tires.Buff tires according to specifications for width and undertread depth.Brush or spray solvents onto plies to ensure adhesion, and repeat process as specified, alternating direction of each ply to strengthen tires.Start rollers that bond tread and plies as drums revolve.Align treads with guides, start drums to wind treads onto plies, and slice ends.Inspect worn tires for faults, cracks, cuts, and nail holes, and to determine if tires are suitable for retreading.Measure tires to determine mold size requirements.Roll hand rollers over rebuilt casings, exerting pressure to ensure adhesion between camelbacks and casings.Position ply stitcher rollers and drums according to width of stock, using hand tools and gauges.Cut plies at splice points, and press ends together to form continuous bands.Depress pedals to rotate drums, and wind specified numbers of plies around drums to form tire bodies.Clean and paint completed tires.Rub cement sticks on drum edges to provide adhesive surfaces for plies.Depress pedals to collapse drums after processing is complete.Wind chafers and breakers onto plies.Pull plies from supply racks, and align plies with edges of drums.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Tire casing preparation steps — follow under direct supervisor guidance on a production floor retreading line.Semi-raw rubber treads — apply to buffed tire casings using established protocols during supervised recapping operations.Excess rubber and surface imperfections — identify and remove under close direction during basic retreading tasks.Hot rubber materials — fill minor cuts and holes in tires following step-by-step safety instructions on the shop floor.Hand tools and trim equipment — select and use correctly under direct oversight during introductory tire building tasks.Tread alignment and placement — recognize common errors and report discrepancies to a lead builder during training shifts.Production area safety rules — observe and apply consistently during early on-the-job learning in a tire manufacturing facility.Operation and control sequences — execute pre-defined machine settings under supervision on standard tire building equipment.Near-vision inspection of tire surfaces — perform basic visual checks for obvious defects during entry-level quality reviews.Workplace instructions and verbal directions — listen actively and confirm understanding before beginning each assigned tire building task.
developing
Semi-raw rubber tread application — complete independently on buffed casings at a consistent pace within a retreading production line.Trimming operations — perform routinely on retreaded tires, reducing imperfections with minimal rework across familiar tire sizes.Hot rubber repair materials — apply to cuts and holes in tires with controlled precision, adapting technique to varying defect depths.Tire building machine controls — monitor and adjust operational parameters during standard runs to maintain output quality.Tread and casing fit — evaluate through near-vision inspection and manual assessment, correcting alignment issues without supervisor intervention.Multilimb coordination demands — manage simultaneously during repetitive tread-building cycles to sustain throughput on a production shift.Defect patterns on tire surfaces — recognize and categorize consistently, initiating corrective steps within practiced retreading workflows.Production records and shift logs — update using office suite or word processing software to document completed units and material usage.Trunk strength and extent flexibility requirements — apply safely over sustained production periods by following ergonomic best practices on the floor.Peer communication on process issues — engage in active listening exchanges to coordinate tire flow and minimize bottlenecks across a work cell.
proficient
Full retreading and recapping process — execute autonomously across the complete build cycle, handling non-standard tire sizes and complex tread profiles.Hot rubber filling of cuts and holes — perform with high control precision on damaged tires requiring multi-layer repair under varying shop conditions.Tread-to-casing bonding quality — assess independently through systematic inspection, diagnosing root causes of adhesion failures and implementing corrections.Industrial control software interfaces — operate and troubleshoot on tire building equipment to maintain vulcanization parameters within specification.Operations monitoring across multiple machines — conduct concurrently, detecting anomalies in pressure, temperature, or cycle time before defects occur.Critical thinking in non-routine repair scenarios — apply to evaluate whether a tire casing meets safety thresholds or should be rejected from the retreat line.Trim equipment settings and blade maintenance — optimize for different rubber compounds and tread patterns to sustain precision across full production shifts.ERP or production management software — use to track material consumption, job status, and output metrics across an assigned section of the build floor.Ergonomic and physical load management — model and advise on for tasks requiring static strength and arm-hand steadiness during extended tire building operations.Quality standards and inspection criteria — apply consistently and document findings using spreadsheet software to support process improvement reviews.
advanced
Tire building production standards — establish and refine across the facility, integrating task requirements with throughput, safety, and quality goals.Retreading and recapping workflows — redesign when process data reveals systemic inefficiency, leading cross-functional teams in implementing improvements.New builder onboarding and skills development — lead by structuring hands-on training programs that progress learners from tread application through full vulcanization prep.Defect reduction initiatives — drive organization-wide by analyzing production data in ERP and spreadsheet software to identify root causes and direct corrective action.Equipment investment and industrial control system upgrades — evaluate and recommend by applying mechanical knowledge and production processing expertise to cost-benefit analyses.Facility-wide safety culture — shape by formalizing cautiousness and stress tolerance expectations into standard operating procedures and performance accountability frameworks.Presentation and reporting materials — develop using office suite and presentation software to communicate production performance outcomes to plant management and stakeholders.Cross-departmental coordination on material supply and scheduling — direct using project management software to ensure uninterrupted tire building operations at scale.Competency benchmarks for tire builder roles — author and maintain, calibrating proficiency expectations to evolving production technologies and industry retreading standards.Strategic capacity planning for the production floor — lead by synthesizing operational monitoring data, workforce capability assessments, and market demand into actionable facility roadmaps.
Also known as
45 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Tire TechnicianTread BuilderInjection Molding TechnicianInjection MolderInjection Mold TechnicianTire Recapping Machine OperatorInjection Molding Machine OperatorTire LayerBelt BuilderMachinist (Marine Corps 2161)Automobile Tire Recapper (Auto Tire Recapper)Tire CurerTire AssemblerCord Tire BuilderTire MolderTire RetreaderTube BuilderBufferInjection Molding AssemblerMolding TechnicianTread Builder OperatorTire FabricatorMolding Process TechnicianInjection Molding Process TechnicianRetread TechnicianTire MounterTire MakerTire RecapperMold TechnicianRetread AssociateTread BookerTire VulcanizerRecapperRetreaderAutomobile Tire Builder (Auto Tire Builder)Tire FinisherBead BuilderBelt Machine OperatorInjection Molding OperatorInjection Molding Maintenance Technician (Injection Molding Maintenance Tech)