Application Specialist

GEMINI INDUSTRIES INC•El Reno, OK

3d•$45,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Application Specialist supports the development, evaluation, and technical validation of industrial wood coating systems. This role serves as a critical bridge between Product Management, Laboratory Development, Technical Service, and Sales to ensure coatings perform consistently in real-world spray environments. This position will lead and support spray application testing, competitive benchmarking, internal product evaluations, and field problem-solving. This position also maintains application equipment and spray facilities. The role requires deep, hands-on expertise in wood coating spray techniques, fluid delivery systems, and industrial finishing equipment. The Application Specialist plays a key part in supporting lab initiatives, new product launches, and continuous improvement projects.

Requirements

Technical Expertise Extensive hands-on experience applying industrial wood coatings, including: Stains Lacquers and pre-catalyzed lacquers Conversion varnishes Waterborne coatings Two-component finishes
Strong understanding of coating behavior in production spray environments
Spray Equipment Knowledge Experience with: Airless and Air-Assisted Airless systems HVLP and conventional spray guns Fluid delivery systems (pumps, pressure pots, circulation loops)
Equipment & Facility Management Ability to maintain spray booths, filtration systems, and finishing equipment Experience maintaining fluid handling systems and spray components Ability to manage sanding tables and inventories (test panels, abrasives, sundries)
Analytical & Troubleshooting Skills Ability to identify and resolve application issues such as: Orange peel Dry spray Poor atomization Film defects and inconsistent build Strong observational, evaluation, and documentation skills
Cross-Functional Collaboration Proven ability to work with Product Management, R&D/Laboratory teams, Technical Service, Sales, and OEM representatives Ability to translate technical findings into actionable insights across teams
Key Attributes for Success Hands-on, practical problem solver High attention to detail in application testing Ability to translate laboratory concepts into real-world performance Strong organizational and documentation discipline Collaborative mindset across technical and commercial teams
Adhere to all safety regulations and procedures.

Nice To Haves

5+ years of experience in industrial wood finishing or coatings application
Experience working with OEM wood manufacturers or production finishing environments
Familiarity with coating evaluation protocols and testing methods
Strong mechanical aptitude for equipment maintenance and troubleshooting

Responsibilities

Application Testing & Product Evaluation Conduct spray application testing for new product development, reformulations, and product improvements
Perform internal product evaluations and competitive benchmarking
Document coating performance, including: Dry-to-handle, dry-to-sand, and dry-to-stack times Atomization and transfer efficiency Sanding quality, flow and leveling, feel and slip Defect identification, film build, and overall appearance
Evaluate stain applications including wipe ease, spray/no-wipe methods, color development, and dry times
Partner with Product Management and Laboratory teams to translate formulations into real-world performance
Spray Equipment & Facility Management Maintain and manage spray booths, finishing equipment, and testing environments
Set up and operate industrial spray systems, including: Airless Air-Assisted Airless HVLP Conventional spray systems
Maintain fluid delivery systems such as pumps, pressure pots, and circulation systems
Ensure all equipment is calibrated, functioning properly, and operating safely
Follow all EHS standards, including recordkeeping and waste disposal procedures
Cross-Functional Technical Support Collaborate with Sales, Technical Service, Product Management, and Laboratory teams
Troubleshoot application challenges during trials and evaluations
Provide practical application insights to improve product formulation and performance
Support product launches with spray parameters, application guidelines, and best practices
Competitive & Market Evaluation Conduct spray testing of competitor coatings
Provide structured feedback on: Sprayability Appearance and finish quality Film build Defect resistance Production suitability
Communicate overall user experience comparisons between Gemini products and competitors
Product Development Support Assist in coating system validation for new product launches
Establish application parameters and recommended equipment settings
Support development of technical documentation and product positioning