Painter - Industrial Finishing Specialist

ATSC IES INC•Gilbert, AZ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Advanced Technology Systems Company (ATSC) is seeking an Industrial Finishing Specialist who treats surface preparation and coating application as a craft, not a checklist item. This is a hands-on role supporting fast-moving production schedules tied to government and commercial contract deliverables, where rework is not an option and attention to detail directly protects program timelines and customer trust. The Industrial Finishing Specialist is responsible for preparing, finishing, coating, and protecting fabricated metal and composite components used in aerospace, defense, and government contracting applications. This position performs surface preparation, masking, painting, coating, and finishing operations while ensuring compliance with customer specifications, military standards (MIL-SPEC), engineering drawings, and quality requirements. The ideal candidate possesses experience with industrial coatings, aerospace finishes, and precision workmanship in a manufacturing environment where quality, traceability, and attention to detail are essential. This role reports into Production/Fabrication Operations and works in direct coordination with welding, assembly, and quality inspection teams. Output from this position feeds directly into unit acceptance and, in many cases, customer or government evaluator walkthroughs — meaning finish quality is visible, inspected, and tied to program success.

Requirements

Experience supporting aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or government contractors
Minimum 3 years of professional painting experience in an industrial or production environment
Demonstrated experience with metal surface preparation and powder-coat pre-application processes
Proficiency in applying both latex and oil-based paint systems
Experience applying CARC (Chemical Agent Resistant Coating), epoxy primers, polyurethane coatings, or aerospace-approved finishes.
Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. and work in physically demanding, temperature-variable conditions
Comfortable reading basic work instructions, routers, or job travelers

Responsibilities

Prepare metal substrates and apply powder-coat-ready finishes to specification, including grinding, degreasing, masking, and defect correction prior to coat application.
Apply latex and oil-based coatings using brush, roller, and spray methods, matching finish, coverage, and cure requirements to job specifications and customer standards.
Inspect completed work for coverage, drips, texture, and color match; correct deficiencies before parts move downstream to assembly or shipping.
Flex into product assembly and general production tasks during gaps in painting workload, keeping the line moving rather than standing idle.
Perform finishing work across indoor booth and outdoor yard environments, adjusting technique for temperature, humidity, and airflow conditions.
Maintain spray equipment, brushes, and finishing tools in ready-to-use condition; keep booth and staging areas organized and OSHA-compliant.
Maintain dependable attendance and flex into overtime, including occasional weekends, to protect production and contract delivery dates.
Safely handle paints, solvents, coatings, and hazardous materials in compliance with OSHA, EPA, and company Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) requirements.
Coordinate with Engineering, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and Program Management to meet production schedules.
Assist with continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency, and throughput.
Perform other duties as assigned.