Production Paint Technician

Avon Protection•Cleveland, OH

7d•$22 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Manufacturing Painter is responsible for the surface preparation and application of coatings on ballistic military helmets in accordance with strict quality, performance, and durability standards. This role ensures that all finished helmets meet defense and customer specifications related to color, texture, adhesion, and environmental resistance. The Painter plays a critical role in the helmet production process, contributing to both the aesthetic and functional performance of life-saving protective equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum 1–3 years of experience in industrial painting, preferably in ballistic equipment, automotive painting, or appliance painting environments.
Prior experience painting contoured surfaces and applying coatings to composite or metal substrates is highly desirable.
Familiarity with military specifications or experience painting tactical or high-performance products is a plus.

Nice To Haves

Proficient in surface preparation, priming, masking, and application of wet spray coatings.
Skilled in using HVLP spray guns, pressure pots, and related equipment.
Strong attention to detail with the ability to achieve consistent texture, thickness, and color across irregular surfaces.
Ability to read and follow technical documentation, work instructions, and paint specifications.
Effective time management and organizational skills in a fast-paced, quality-focused production setting.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to meet production goals and quality standards.
Commitment to safety, cleanliness, and proper handling of hazardous materials in compliance with OSHA and EPA regulations.

Responsibilities

Prepare ballistic helmet surfaces for paint application through cleaning, sanding, masking, and priming processes.
Apply specialized military-grade coatings and finishes using spray equipment in accordance with technical specifications and MIL-STD requirements.
Ensure consistent color, thickness, and texture across all painted helmets using appropriate tools and measurement equipment.
Operate and maintain spray booths, ovens, curing stations, and ventilation systems in compliance with safety and environmental standards.
Inspect painted helmets for visual defects, coating integrity, and adherence to performance criteria.
Maintain accurate documentation for batch tracking, paint logs, quality checks, and part traceability.
Collaborate closely with the Quality Assurance team to ensure conformance to DoD standards and customer-specific requirements.
Conduct minor equipment maintenance and troubleshoot spray gun and booth performance issues as needed.
Adhere to all plant safety, PPE, and hazardous material handling protocols in accordance with OSHA, EPA, and internal policies.
Support continuous improvement initiatives in paint application processes and throughput.
Collaborate with the quality control team to resolve any coating defects or inconsistencies.
Follow proper handling and disposal procedures for hazardous materials in compliance with OSHA and EPA regulations.
Perform regular maintenance and cleaning of paint equipment and tools to ensure reliability.
Adhere to lean manufacturing practices and continuous improvement initiatives.
Ensure compliance with all plant safety, housekeeping, and operational policies and procedures.