Painter/Coater

BluePrint Automation • South Chesterfield, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Painter/Coater prepares, coats, cures, and inspects fabricated metal components. This onsite manufacturing role includes surface preparation, masking, racking, powder application, booth and oven operation, cure verification, finish inspection, production documentation, equipment care, and maintaining a clean and safe work area. The Painter/Coater applies liquid paint and powder coat finishes to aluminum, ferrous metals, and other materials according to customer and engineering specifications, and serves as a mentor or coach to less experienced painters. Other duties may be assigned.

Blueprint Automation designs, develops, and manufactures case packers and tray-packing solutions for flexible and other difficult-to-handle packages. The company describes innovation as central to its work and offers employees opportunities to grow and develop in a fulfilling workplace that supports continuous learning and embraces diverse ideas.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of experience in industrial powder coating and metal finishing in manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of metal preparation methods, part grounding, powder application, cure schedules, and common coating defects.
• Ability to read and follow job travelers, written work instructions, drawings, and customer specifications.
• Ability to use coating thickness gauges and temperature-reading or monitoring equipment.
• Ability to perform basic equipment setup, cleaning, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while meeting schedule requirements.
• Ability to lift components weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection when assigned.
• Candidates receiving an employment offer must successfully pass a drug screen and background check.
• The employer will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

Responsibilities

• Review job travelers, drawings, work instructions, and customer requirements to confirm coating type, color, thickness, masking, and cure requirements.
• Inspect parts before coating and verify that surfaces are clean, dry, and suitable for application.
• Prepare components through cleaning, degreasing, washing, abrasive preparation, masking, plugging, and other required pretreatment methods.
• Rack and ground parts for complete coverage, efficient production flow, and safe handling.
• Set up and operate electrostatic powder coating guns, booths, hoppers, reclaim systems, and curing ovens.
• Adjust voltage, air pressure, powder flow, gun distance, line speed, and related settings to achieve consistent coverage and finish quality.
• Monitor oven temperature and cure time, and document production and process data as required.
• Inspect completed parts for film thickness, coverage, color, texture, adhesion, and visible defects.
• Identify and correct coating defects, including thin coverage, runs, orange peel, contamination, fisheyes, pinholes, and incomplete cure.
• Perform touch-up or rework when permitted by the applicable process and specification.
• Complete color changes and clean guns, booths, hoses, hoppers, racks, and surrounding work areas to prevent cross-contamination.
• Perform routine operator maintenance and promptly report equipment, ventilation, grounding, or oven concerns.
• Track powder, masking supplies, filters, hooks, plugs, and other consumables, and notify management before materials are depleted.
• Maintain clear and accurate production, inspection, rework, and equipment records.
• Operate large-frame and small-parts sandblasting equipment to clean and prepare metal surfaces for finishing.
• Apply liquid paint and powder coat finishes to aluminum, ferrous metals, and other materials according to customer and engineering specifications.
• Operate and monitor a commercial-grade curing oven to ensure proper powder coating adhesion, finish quality, and curing requirements.
• Follow company safety rules and policies, including proper use of personal protective equipment when operating paint, powder coating, blasting, and oven equipment.
• Serve as a mentor or coach to less experienced painters.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Majority employer-paid employee health, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage.
• 20 days of paid time off during the first year of employment.
• 401(k) with a 6% employer match.
• Opportunities for career growth and development in a workplace that supports continuous learning.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed