Refinish Applications Specialist

PPG•Allison Park, PA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

As a Refinish Applications Specialist , you will provide advanced, hands‑on technical expertise in the application of automotive refinish paint systems used within collision centers, body shops, and aftermarket repair environments. You will focus on application evaluation, equipment setup, and supporting our teams during new product development. You will align with an Intermediate-Level S&T role, developing deeper knowledge within the discipline and applying professional concepts, procedures, and judgment to solve a variety of refinish‑related problems. PPG offers comprehensive benefits such as Health, Dental, Life, Retirement Plan, Paid Vacation & Holidays, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Disability/Leave, and other Voluntary benefit offerings. Actual benefit offerings confirmed at the time of hire.

Requirements

Minimum 2–4 years of related professional experience in automotive refinishing, collision repair, aftermarket coatings, or similar hands‑on technical environments.
Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or global equivalent in a related discipline.
Understanding of refinish paint systems, surface preparation, spray equipment, and application techniques.
Ability to diagnose and resolve application issues in body shop environments.
Basic understanding of industry practices and refinish workflows.
Proficient with tools, systems, equipment, and documentation procedures.

Responsibilities

Apply primers, sealers, basecoats, clearcoats, and specialty refinish coatings using proper techniques suited to collision repair workflows.
Optimize spray gun setup, air pressure, and application sequences to achieve high-quality results.
Resolve application-related issues including adhesion failures, surface defects, contamination, and improper curing.
Provide application-focused insights during development of new coatings, materials, or processes.
Evaluate sprayability, film build, flow, leveling, and curing characteristics under typical refinish shop conditions.
Perform hands‑on application of prototype coatings or processes in controlled refinish-style environments.
Assess application behavior, repair‑cycle compatibility, and performance characteristics relevant to body shop operations.
Document findings and communicate structured technical feedback to internal development teams to support formulation adjustments and performance improvements.
Maintain accurate records of application parameters, prototype evaluations, and technical findings.
Conduct root‑cause analyses and document corrective actions for application‑related issues.
Share recurring trends and insights with quality and development teams to support continuous improvement.
Work with quality, product development, and technical teams to address application challenges.
Provide refinish‑specific application insights that support product development, internal evaluations, and validation work.
Exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate actions in moderate-scope technical situations.
Demonstrate growing technical proficiency, scientific creativity, and independent thought.
Works on problems of moderate scope where analysis requires review of identifiable factors.
Applies company policies, standardized application procedures, and professional concepts to resolve typical issues within the automotive refinish discipline.