Painter Technician

Job Purpose

An aircraft painter prepares, refinishes, and details aircraft surfaces to meet strict safety, durability, and aesthetic standards by cleaning, sanding, masking, priming, and applying specialized coatings to production and in-service aircraft and subassembly parts. They interpret technical drawings and specifications, mix and apply paint systems with precision, and inspect surfaces to ensure every step meets required specifications, quality standards, and customer expectations. The role requires working safely with chemicals and equipment, following all company safety guidelines, maintaining painting tools and work areas, and collaborating with maintenance teams to deliver a flawless, protective finish that supports both aircraft performance and operator branding.

Key Accountabilities

• An experienced aircraft painter with a solid understanding of aircraft safety practices and hands-on experience working around composites, metals, and acrylics to ensure both personnel safety and product quality. Skilled in operating within an FAA Part 145 environment, with strong knowledge of environmental safety requirements, including proper labeling, handling, and disposal of chemical and solid waste. Proficient in reading and interpreting technical drawings and specifications, and experienced in working safely around automated equipment to support efficient, high-quality paint operations.
• Skilled in preparing aircraft, small parts, flight controls, and assemblies for paint application by performing thorough cleaning, sanding, masking, and surface conditioning using proper materials, techniques, and wearing proper safety equipment such as respirators.
• Skilled in applying masking devices and masking aids to ensure clean, crisp transitions between stripes and complex design schemes, with a strong eye for detail and finish quality. Capable of laying out paint patterns using laser projection systems to achieve precise alignment and consistent results across aircraft surfaces.
• Skilled in applying primer, paint, mica, and clear coat through both automated systems and precision hand-spraying techniques, ensuring consistent coverage and proper film thickness using digital thickness gauges. Adept at verifying color accuracy and cosmetic quality against specifications, maintaining a high standard of finish across all painted aircraft surfaces and components. 
• Skilled in identifying paint defects and applying the proper corrective techniques in accordance with process specifications and cosmetic standards. Experienced in color-matching and blending to repair defects on in-service aircraft, ensuring seamless appearance and finish quality. Capable of accurately mixing paint colors using formula-based mixing systems to achieve precise, consistent results across all painted surfaces
• Skilled in performing precision sanding and buffing on bright-work areas, including leading edges and other polished metallic surfaces, to achieve a smooth, high-luster finish. Skilled in applying a variety of sealants that meet both aerodynamic requirements and cosmetic standards, ensuring durability, performance, and a clean, professional appearance across all treated aircraft surfaces.

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum 2 years of related experience in aircraft paint.
• Advanced knowledge of paint mixing, color blending, and color matching to seamlessly repair and blend existing finishes during spot-paint inspections; skilled in masking intricate areas such as logos and detailed exterior features; proficient in reading and interpreting process specifications and technical drawings.
• Skilled in selecting appropriate abrasives for substrate preparation, manually controlling orange peel, and properly atomizing coatings to achieve consistent, specification-compliant dry film thickness. 

Working Conditions

• Routinely exposed to operational noise, temperature variations, dust, and odors associated with aircraft equipment, parts, and fuels. 
• Able to stand, sit, squat, walk, bend, reach, and stretch for extended periods without restriction to meet job demands. 
• Capable of reading, hearing, speaking, and seeing without limitations required to safely perform assigned tasks 
• Able to pull, push, carry, lift, or move items up to 15 lbs. independently throughout the work shift 
• Able to pull, push, carry, lift, or move materials, equipment, or items weighing 50 lbs. or more using company-provided assistive technologies such as forklifts, pallet jacks, dollies, or other movement-assist equipment