Paint Applications Engineer

Sparrow Company LLC • Saint Paul, MN

4d • $120,000 - $130,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Paint Applications Engineer optimizes automated and manual industrial painting processes, equipment, and materials. You will improve first-time quality, reduce paint waste, and troubleshoot finishing defects across metal fabrication or assembly lines.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of hands-on engineering experience in an industrial paint or coatings environment.
• Knowledge of robotic paint atomizers, fluid delivery systems, and curing ovens.
• Familiarity with pretreatment, surface preparation, and paint lab testing equipment (viscosity, gloss, adhesion tests).
• Strong problem-solving abilities, excellent cross-functional communication, and willingness to spend time on the manufacturing floor.

Nice To Haves

• Basic understanding of PLC controls or automated finishing systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine liquid paint, powder coating, or e-coat application parameters (film thickness, fluid flow, atomization air, and cure profiles).
• Oversee paint application hardware, robotic spray applicators, bell cups, and plural component systems.
• Investigate paint defects like runs, sags, orange peel, pinholes, or poor adhesion, using root-cause analysis.
• Support new product integration, color changes, and trial runs on the production floor.
• Implement waste-reduction initiatives, transfer-efficiency improvements, and environmental compliance tracking.
• Partner with quality, manufacturing, and chemical suppliers to test and validate new coatings.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior