FM Powder Coating Operator

EASTERN WHOLESALE FENCE LLC•Tega Cay, SC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Powder Coating Operator is responsible for operating both automatic and manual powder coating equipment to produce high-quality finished parts. This role ensures proper surface preparation, consistent coating application, accurate curing, and adherence to safety and quality standards. The ideal candidate has strong attention to detail, solid mechanical aptitude, and hands-on experience in a production finishing environment.

Requirements

1–3+ years of powder coating experience (automatic or manual).
Understanding of electrostatic spray principles and curing processes.
Ability to read and follow work instructions, SOPs, and quality standards.
Strong attention to detail and ability to identify coating defects.
Mechanical aptitude and comfort working with production equipment.
Ability to stand, lift, bend, and work in a manufacturing environment.
Understanding of workplace safety and quality standards
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday
Ability to frequently bend, stoop, reach, and move throughout the production and warehouse areas
Ability to lift and carry up to 25–50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
Ability to work in a manufacturing and distribution environment with exposure to noise, moving machinery, forklifts, and varying temperatures
Ability to visually inspect materials, labels, and production documentation accurately
Ability to use computers, handheld scanners, and other office or warehouse equipment as needed
Ability to safely navigate production floors and warehouse environments while following all safety procedures
Ability to work overtime, weekends, or flexible schedules as business needs require

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent preferred

Responsibilities

Operate automatic powder coating booths, guns, and conveyor systems.
Select and load pre-programmed coating recipes for different part types.
Adjust basic gun settings (KV, microamps, powder flow, air pressure) within approved limits.
Monitor HMI/PLC screens for system status, alarms, and part counts.
Perform routine color changes, booth blow-downs, and reclaim cleanouts.
Ensure proper gun positioning and identify areas requiring manual touch-up.
Maintain correct part spacing, orientation, and racking on the conveyor.
Apply powder manually using proper spray-gun techniques.
Achieve consistent film thickness using gauges and visual inspection.
Coat complex geometries and address Faraday cage areas.
Perform touch-ups and blend manual coating with automatic coverage.
Identify and correct common coating defects such as light coverage, orange peel, or back-ionization.
Operate pretreatment washers and verify proper cleaning, rinsing, and chemical stages.
Perform basic titrations, pH checks, and temperature checks when required.
Inspect parts for cleanliness, rust, oil, or other contaminants.
Operate media blasting equipment when needed.
Load and unload parts from curing ovens safely.
Verify cure schedules and ensure parts reach required time-at-temperature.
Recognize signs of under-cure or over-cure and report issues promptly.
Measure film thickness using DFT gauges.
Perform basic adhesion or MEK cure tests when required.
Inspect coated parts for defects such as pinholes, fisheyes, contamination, or excessive build.
Follow quality standards and document inspection results accurately.
Clean and maintain powder guns, nozzles, hoses, pumps, and booth filters.
Identify poor fluidization, pulsing, or inconsistent powder flow.
Ensure proper grounding of racks, hooks, and parts.
Report equipment issues and assist with basic troubleshooting.
Maintain environmental cleanliness and organization, especially in powder rooms/booths
Load and unload parts on the conveyor line.
Maintain powder inventory at the booth and follow proper storage practices.
Use FIFO rotation to prevent moisture contamination.
Organize racks, hooks, and hangers for efficient workflow.
Record film thickness, oven temperatures, washer checks, and production counts.
Follow established SOPs for coating, color changes, and equipment cleaning.
Communicate quality issues, equipment problems, or material shortages to the lead or supervisor.