Spirit Defense - Experienced Aircraft Painter

Spirit AeroSystems • Wichita, KS

1d

About The Position

This role is at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, in Spirit’s Defense Business Unit. Spirit Defense is an independent supplier to the defense and space marketplace, providing engineering, rapid prototyping, technologies, and support.

The Experienced Aircraft Painter applies aerospace paints to varied substrates and product configurations, including primers and finish coats. The work also involves masking, racking, turning, sanding, paint mixing, equipment maintenance, product movement, and inspection. At Level A, the employee locates application areas using engineering planning documents, applies final coatings including top coat and DYNOL as specified, and inspects completed work against engineering standards.

This is a union-represented position. Applicants must be able to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access; U.S. citizenship is required. An interim and/or final U.S. Secret Clearance is required after starting. The employer will not sponsor employment visas. The position is drug-free, with post-offer applicants and employees subject to testing when applicable under company policies.

Pay is $23.66 per hour, with potential to earn up to $39.32 per hour under the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Eligible employees may enroll in benefit programs that generally include health insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance, and paid and unpaid time away from work. Program availability may vary according to eligibility factors.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance and Special Program Access; U.S. citizenship is required.
• Ability to read engineering blueprints, schematics, and drawings.
• Ability to match or detect differences among colors, including shades and brightness.
• Ability to keep an arm steady while moving it or holding the arm and hand in position.
• Ability to see details at close range.
• Ability to make precise finger movements to grasp, manipulate, or assemble small objects.
• Ability to quickly move one or both hands, with or without the arms, to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• At least two years of experience related to the identified skills.
• Willingness and ability to work any shift, including alternative work weeks.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of conventional high-volume/low-pressure (HVLP) paint spray equipment, including pressure-, gravity-, and siphon-fed variants, and conventional and airless identification pots, pumps, and guns.
• Aircraft or auto body painting experience.
• Painting preparation experience, including sanding and masking.
• At least three years of related experience or an equivalent technical certificate.
• High school diploma; an associate degree in a technical field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Mix paints to match color specifications or original colors using spatulas or power mixing equipment.
• Select and apply paint according to engineering planning documents.
• Dispose of trash, scrap, and hazardous waste appropriately.
• Prepare surfaces by removing grease, dirt, paint, or rust using abrasives, solvents, brushes, or washing tanks.
• Spray or brush surfaces with specified amounts of alodine, primer, or finish coatings according to engineering planning.
• Mix ingredients to create specified finishes and trim excess material.
• Use equipment needed to complete paint assignments, including computers and hand, power, and air tools.
• Perform pickup, rework, and incorporation of product changes as required.
• Work from prints, sketches, specifications, and written or verbal instructions.
• Maintain required certifications, qualifications, licenses, or permits.
• Use precision measuring equipment, such as isoscopes and scales, to inspect in-process and finished work.
• Perform routine minor maintenance on sprayers, paint guns, and related equipment.
• Move product within the manufacturing work area using assigned equipment and complete transactions required to move it to the next operation.
• Locate application areas using engineering planning documents and apply final paint applications to completed assemblies or sections according to work instructions.
• Inspect parts to ensure they meet engineering standards.
• Apply top coat and DYNOL according to engineering planning requirements.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and programs providing paid and unpaid time away from work.
• Competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED