Powder Coating Assistant

Symbiotic Services • Denton, TX

3d

About The Position

Symbiotic Services is seeking a detail-oriented and safety-conscious Powder Coating Assistant for a client in the manufacturing industry. The role supports daily powder coating operations by preparing and masking metal components, loading and unloading parts, assisting with quality inspections, packaging finished products, and maintaining a clean and safe work environment. The assistant works under production leadership and receives daily task assignments from a qualified Powder Coater.

The position involves following work orders and production instructions, checking components and finished products, supporting material movement and production flow, maintaining product counts and traceability, and handling waste according to established environmental requirements. The assistant must follow safety, quality, equipment, and authorization procedures and perform only tasks for which appropriate training and authorization have been completed. Independent operation of powder spray equipment, process adjustments, chemical additions, safety-system resets, and maintenance are not permitted without separate qualification and authorization.

The work takes place in an industrial manufacturing and metal finishing environment, with potential exposure to moving machinery, suspended components, sharp metal edges, powder materials, industrial chemicals, hot surfaces, wet floors, noise, and material handling equipment. Required PPE and compliance with safety standards, designated routes, equipment safeguards, ventilation procedures, and environmental controls are essential.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent education or experience.
• Ability to follow written, verbal, and visual work instructions.
• Ability to recognize workplace hazards and communicate concerns promptly.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
• Ability to maintain accurate production and material handling records.
• Willingness to complete required safety and equipment-specific training.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a manufacturing team.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing and metal finishing operations.
• Ability to prepare, mask, load, unload, and handle metal components safely.
• Ability to identify visible coating defects and damaged materials.
• Familiarity with production quality standards and inspection procedures.
• Ability to use basic measuring instruments after appropriate training.
• Basic mathematical skills, including arithmetic, fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to read measurements, compare results against established specifications, and accurately record quantities.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to recognize situations requiring supervisory assistance rather than independently adjusting equipment.
• Complete workplace orientation and required job-specific training before independent work.
• Complete training in hazard communication, PPE usage, dust and ignition prevention, machine guarding, emergency procedures, and applicable lockout/tagout awareness.
• Demonstrate competency in safe material handling, masking, hanging, unloading, and basic defect identification.
• Complete respiratory protection medical evaluation, fit testing, and training when required.
• Obtain additional training and authorization before operating forklifts, powered pallet trucks, hoists, or other specialized material handling equipment.
• Obtain separate authorization for chemical dosing, maintenance, and lockout/tagout activities.
• Complete applicable refresher training, including hearing conservation and heat illness prevention.
• Ability to stand and walk regularly throughout the workday.
• Frequent reaching, gripping, and repetitive hand and arm movements; occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.
• Ability to recognize equipment movement, warning signals, and visible coating defects, with appropriate aids or accommodations when applicable.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 30 pounds, subject to task-specific assessment.
• Use mechanical lifting equipment or approved team assistance for heavier, bulky, hot, sharp, or unstable materials.
• Ability to perform assigned duties while wearing required personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Previous manufacturing, production, or industrial finishing experience.
• Prior powder coating experience.

Responsibilities

• Review work orders, production instructions, and visual specifications to verify part identification, quantities, finishing requirements, and processing sequences.
• Inspect metal components for contamination, moisture, sharp edges, damage, and other conditions that may affect coating quality.
• Prepare components for powder coating using approved materials and methods.
• Apply and remove masking materials, including plugs, caps, and protective tape, and protect designated features while keeping grounding contact points clear.
• Inspect hooks, racks, and material supports, and load components in accordance with approved capacity, spacing, balance, and grounding requirements.
• Use appropriate lifting equipment or team assistance for heavy or awkward materials and coordinate material movement with qualified Powder Coaters.
• Monitor production activities for unstable loads, collisions, spills, abnormal equipment movement, and powder dust escape; report unsafe conditions and request equipment stoppage when necessary.
• Verify coated components are safe to handle, use thermal protection when needed, and unload finished components without damaging coated surfaces.
• Assist with packaging and transferring finished products, maintaining accurate counts, identification labels, and material traceability.
• Compare finished components against approved visual quality standards; perform measurements only after required training.
• Identify and separate defective or questionable components for further inspection, and obtain authorization before rework or release of nonconforming products.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas and clean assigned accessible areas using approved equipment and procedures.
• Handle powder waste, filters, and cleaning materials according to established environmental requirements.
• Assist production personnel with authorized tasks and report equipment concerns, quality issues, and safety hazards to supervisory personnel.
• Follow safety procedures for ventilation, grounding, machine guarding, powder accumulation, dust and ignition prevention, PPE, SDS and chemical handling, moving equipment, and lockout/tagout requirements.
• Dispose of powder residues, process liquids, filters, and cleaning waste in designated containers or approved systems.
• Immediately report spills, sparks, gas odors, damaged safeguards, unstable loads, injuries, and potential exposure incidents.
• Follow approved emergency shutdown and evacuation procedures; participate in specialized emergency response only when trained and authorized.
• Perform only tasks for which appropriate training and authorization have been completed.

What This Job Offers

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