Experienced Powder Coater - Manufacturing

DAKOTA BODIES LLC•Liberty, MO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Powder Coater is responsible for preparing, coating, and curing metal automotive body components using electrostatic powder-coating equipment. This role ensures high-quality finishes that meet strict automotive durability and appearance standards. The Powder Coater works closely with Production, Quality, and Maintenance teams to meet daily production goals while maintaining a safe, clean, and organized work environment.

Requirements

1–3 years of powder-coating experience in manufacturing (automotive industry preferred).
Familiarity with electrostatic spray systems and powder application techniques.
Experience reading work instructions, material specs, and quality standards.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for long periods, and work in a fast-paced, repetitive environment.
Basic mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality finishes.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an autobody or automotive component production facility.
Knowledge of pretreatment processes such as washing, blasting, and chemical prepping.
Forklift or overhead crane certification.

Responsibilities

Set up, operate, and adjust electrostatic powder-coating guns, booths, and curing ovens according to production specifications.
Apply powder coatings to metal autobody parts such as frames, panels, bumpers, brackets, and structural components, ensuring even application and required thickness.
Read and interpret work orders, drawings, and color specifications to determine required coating type, thickness ranges, and finish quality.
Monitor conveyor systems and part racks to ensure proper spacing, grounding, and orientation for optimal coverage.
Perform pre-coating processes including cleaning, sandblasting, masking, and phosphate pretreatment as required.
Inspect parts for defects, contamination, or damage prior to coating; notify supervisors or quality team of any issues.
Ensure all parts are properly hung or fixtured to minimize touchpoints and support even coating.
Use inspection tools such as mil gauges, gloss meters, and visual standards to confirm coating thickness, adhesion, cure, color match, and appearance.
Perform routine “first article” checks and complete documentation according to quality procedures.
Address coating defects such as orange peel, runs, thin spots, and contamination by adjusting equipment or reworking parts when necessary.
Follow all ISO/TS or IATF quality system requirements for traceability and process control.
Ensure all powder-coating equipment—including spray guns, reclaim systems, filters, booths, and ovens—is cleaned and maintained according to daily and weekly schedules.
Perform routine troubleshooting on equipment blockages, air pressure issues, grounding problems, and oven temperature fluctuations.
Follow all PPE, ventilation, and housekeeping standards to maintain a safe working environment free of fire hazards and airborne contaminants.
Meet daily production quotas while maintaining consistent finish quality.
Communicate issues related to equipment performance, materials, or workflow to supervisors and maintenance teams.
Assist in setup changes, color changes, and line adjustments to support a high-mix automotive production environment.
Maintain accurate records of materials used, waste/reclaim usage, downtime, and completed parts.