eXplore Tires Research & Development Graduate Program

Drive your future in Research & Development by working on challenging projects and undergoing various training courses in an international environment. Exciting topics in various fields like Sustainability, Digitalization and many more await you.

Ready to eXplore?

Are you a visionary, love to come up with new ideas and want to make the future of mobility safer, more sustainable and more efficient?

This Graduate Program offers you a unique opportunity to gain up to 17 months of work experience in a globally operating, multicultural Research & Development organization in Continental’s Tire Business Area. You will gain valuable international experience as well as getting the opportunity to build up a network as you get involved in shaping the future of mobility.

Take the first step towards a successful career in Research & Development in a global corporation.

The eXplore Tires Research & Development Graduate Program covers a time frame of up to 17 months and is split into several phases.

Introduction Phase 1 – First orientation

Every journey starts with a first step. You start the program by getting to know your home location, new colleagues and your personal mentor, before learning more about our organization, the methods & tools we use and the detailed structure of the Graduate Program. You will also meet your fellow Graduates from other R&D locations who will join you on the journey ahead.

Getting familiar with R&D – Home location and Central Stay

After this initial experience, you will get to know the daily business in your home location and take over your first project. 3 months later, you will join other Graduates from all over the world at our global R&D headquarters in Hanover, Germany where you will spent 4 months going through various trainings together and work on an additional individual project as well as a big common project: The “Start-up”. The “Start-up” is a unique feature of this program which gives your group the opportunity to experience what it means to come up with an innovative idea and try to convince our internal Management Board to give you the support and resources needed to get your idea from “ideation to implementation”. With the support of an internal Innovation Team, you will get a chance to leave your mark on our organization and the future of mobility. This experience will broaden your knowledge and you will acquire new skills which help you to develop further and build lasting relationships with future colleagues from all over the world.

Finding my path within R&D – Different rotations

Even though the experience in R&D will be the core of the program, you will also get the chance to experience up to 3 different interface functions. While all Graduates will go for a Manufacturing plant stay, they may select up to two additional rotations to other interface functions such as Marketing and Sales, Purchasing, IT, or another R&D location. Participating in a series of stimulating projects during that time, you will come to improve your knowledge of Tires and our global Continental business model.

Closing phase – Finalization of the program

In the final phase, all Graduates will come together in our R&D headquarters in Hanover one more time to present the results of their projects (incl. the Start-up) and wrap up the program before taking over a position in our R&D organization.

The R&D Graduate Program offers you the chance to gain an in-depth experience about a global R&D organization, develop your personal skills through various projects and trainings, and the chance to establish a diverse, international network – an ideal preparation for a successful career at Continental. Besides exciting job challenges in a performance-oriented working environment (primarily in your home location), you will take on responsibilities at an early stage. Depending on your potential and demonstrated performance, you will possibly even assume leading functions shortly after the program. By meeting and exceeding expectations, you might even find career opportunities on a global scale.

Above-average University degree in tech-affine studies, e.g. Engineering, Natural Sciences (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics) or IT/Data Science
Fluency in English and in the language of your home location (country of employment)
Strong ability in analytical/structured thinking and coping with high levels of complexity
Ability to adapt and thrive in a dynamic and challenging environment
First project experience desired
First working experience through internships/job as working student, or initial employment(s) in respective fields, ideally in an international environment
International experience desired (e.g. internships or studies abroad)
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, a committed team player eager to work in a multicultural and diverse environment
Open minded and ambitious personality
Passion for the automotive industry

Does this profile match your skills? Challenge yourself and join our eXplore Graduate Program here.

Please note that the next program will start in February/March 2023 and the application process will start soon!

Please set up your personal job agent here in order to receive an update when the application process starts again.