Traveling Metal Finisher

R&E Automated Systems is seeking experienced Traveling Class A Metal Finishers to support automotive stamping, tooling, and manufacturing operations at customer facilities throughout the United States.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in metal finishing, surface preparation, and precision polishing of automotive Class A surfaces. This position requires a strong understanding of automotive quality standards, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform precision metal finishing, grinding, polishing, and surface preparation on automotive Class A tooling and surfaces.
• Finish and polish automotive stamping dies, including outer body panel tooling such as hoods, doors, fenders, roofs, and quarter panels.
• Identify and remove surface imperfections, including scratches, pits, weld marks, high spots, low spots, and other visual defects.
• Utilize hand grinders, die grinders, orbital sanders, polishing equipment, and other finishing tools.
• Perform detailed hand finishing and blending to achieve required surface quality and specifications.
• Work with toolmakers, die makers, and engineering teams to correct tooling and surface-related issues.
• Inspect finished surfaces to ensure compliance with automotive OEM Class A appearance and quality standards.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Support tooling modifications, die repairs, and production-related surface corrections.
• Maintain equipment and follow all customer safety procedures and quality requirements.
• Travel to customer facilities to support tooling projects, production launches, and maintenance activities.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 1–5 years of experience in automotive metal finishing, preferably involving Class A stamping dies and exterior body panel tooling.
• Proven experience grinding, polishing, and finishing automotive Class A surfaces.
• Strong knowledge of metal finishing techniques, surface blending, and defect removal.
• Experience working with automotive stamping dies, tool and die operations, or automotive manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to operate precision grinding and polishing equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet strict surface finish requirements.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with customer engineering and maintenance teams.
• Willingness to travel extensively throughout the United States.
• Flexibility to work overtime, weekends, and extended shifts as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting major automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
• Experience with automotive body panel stamping dies and Class A die surfaces.
• Knowledge of die spotting, metal finishing, and surface correction techniques.
• Experience supporting automotive production launches and tooling tryouts.
• Familiarity with automotive quality standards and inspection processes.

Travel & Work Requirements

• Extensive nationwide travel to automotive manufacturing and customer facilities.
• Ability to work 50 hours per week depending on project requirements.
• Willingness to work extended assignments at customer locations.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work, including prolonged standing, bending, and operating handheld finishing equipment.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a highly skilled Class A Metal Finisher with hands-on automotive stamping die experience who can independently identify and correct surface imperfections while maintaining the high-quality finish required for exterior automotive body panels. Candidates must be dependable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working directly with customers in demanding manufacturing environments.

R&E Automated Systems (www.reautomated.com) is the industry leader in Automotive Controls, Robotics, Joining, and Plant Maintenance. In addition, Engineering Services, including Mechanical, Quality, Simulation, and Service Part Stamping, Assembly, and Coating.