Tool & Die Maker/Design

Standard Motor Products; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Standard Motor Products, Inc. in Greenville, SC seeks a skilled toolmaker to work on precision tooling and prototype parts. You will interpret drawings, set up CNC mills/turning centers, select tooling, and plan machining operations with minimal supervision.

This role requires 5+ years in a toolroom or precision machining environment, an associate degree or technical certification, and knowledge of GD&T, surface finish, and heat treatment specs, plus CAM/CAD tools such as SolidWorks.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a toolroom, mold shop, prototype shop, or equivalent precision machining environment.
• Associate degree or technical certification in Machine Tool Technology or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, fits, tolerances, surface finish requirements, materials, and heat treatment specs.

Responsibilities

• Interpret engineering drawings to fabricate prototype parts, tooling, jigs, gages, fixtures, and production support equipment with high accuracy.
• Plan machining operations independently and provide recommendations to Engineering and Manufacturing.
• Program, set up, troubleshoot, and operate CNC and manual machines including lathes, mills, grinders, and related tools.
• Diagnose tooling issues and recommend improvements to increase quality and efficiency.
• Verify components meet drawings through in-process and final inspections.

Skills

CNC milling

CNC turning

GD&T

Blueprint reading

Machining methods

Quality inspection

Problem-solving

Independent planning

Education

Associate degree in Machine Tool Technology or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD software

CAM software

Post processors

Job description

Established in 1919 and traded on the NYSE, Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) is a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium automotive replacement parts utilized in the maintenance, repair, and service of vehicles in the automotive aftermarket. Additionally, SMP provides customized solutions for vehicle control and thermal management products in diversified end markets represented by its Engineered Solutions segment.

Globally, SMP employs over 6,000 employees across nearly 40 manufacturing, distribution, and engineering facilities and offices located in North America, Europe and Asia. SMP sells its products primarily to automotive aftermarket retailers, program distribution groups, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers, and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico, and other Latin American countries.

Overall Scope

Work closely with Engineering to manufacture, repair, and improve tooling, fixtures, prototype components, and production support equipment. This position requires a high degree of precision, creativity, and problem-solving to develop manufacturing solutions for new products, prototype development, and continuous process improvements.

Hours: 1st shift

Primary work hours are between 7:00 am – 3:30 pm Monday - Friday. Overtime as needed

Job Qualifications

• Required
• Five (5) or more years of experience in a toolroom, mold shop, prototype shop, or equivalent precision machining environment.
• Associate degree or technical certification in Machine Tool Technology or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, fits, tolerances, surface finish requirements, materials, and heat treatment specifications.
• Demonstrated ability to determine machining methods, work holding, and sequence of operations with minimal supervision.
• Experience programming, setting up, troubleshooting, and operating CNC mills and turning centers.
• Experience operating manual lathes, mills, and precision surface grinders
• Knowledge of machine shop safety and shop practices.
• Preferred
• Ability to handle multiple projects at any given time and efficiently shift between them.
• Familiarity with CAM software and post processors.
• Ability to interpret and make minor modifications to CAD models and engineering drawings. Experience with SolidWorks or similar CAD software preferred.
• Experience repairing molds including polishing/stoning parting line and shutoffs, ejector pin cleaning and teardown.
• TIG welding experience for tooling and fixture modification; MIG welding experience is a plus.

Responsibilities And Duties

• Interpret engineering drawings to fabricate prototype parts, specialized tooling, jigs, gages, fixtures, and production support equipment. Work to a high degree of accuracy with typical tolerances ranging from ±0.02 mm to ±0.01 mm, with occasional features requiring tighter tolerances as required by the application.
• This position is expected to work with minimal supervision, independently plan machining operations, and provide technical recommendations to Engineering and Manufacturing regarding tooling and process improvements.
• Program, set up, troubleshoot, and operate CNC and manual machine tools including lathes, milling machines, surface grinders, bench grinders, horizontal and vertical band saws, drill presses, and conventional hand and power tools.
• Diagnose tooling issues and recommend improvements to increase quality, manufacturability, production efficiency, and equipment reliability
• Verify that fabricated components meet drawing specifications through appropriate in-process and final inspection methods.
• Perform precision inspection using measuring and gaging equipment including optical comparator (Shadowgraph), micrometers (inside, outside, and depth), indicators, height gages, pin gages, ring gages, bore gages, and other precision inspection equipment.
• Apply knowledge of engineering materials, heat treatment, and machining processes to select appropriate manufacturing methods.
• Fit, assemble, troubleshoot, and modify tooling, fixtures, and prototype assemblies as required.
• Operate advanced machine shop accessories including rotary tables, indexing heads, boring heads, sine bars, four-jaw chucks, faceplates, steady rests, follower rests, and similar precision setups.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area. Perform preventive maintenance on shop equipment and assist with machine repairs or overhauls as required.
• Follow all company safety policies and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Hours: 1st shift

Primary work hours are between 7:00 am – 3:30 pm Monday - Friday. Overtime as needed

Standard Motor Products is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.