Painting Technician- All Levels - 1st Shift

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Space and Launch business, which has contributed to the nation’s space programs for decades by delivering complete solutions from concept to flight. We enable successful space operations with mission-critical technology supporting every step from first launch to final landing, including launch vehicle subsystems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic and interstage systems, and payload protection and deployment. Our high-performance solutions are engineered to operate in the most extreme environments and meet precise mission requirements.

As a Painting Technician, you will perform surface preparation, masking, mixing, application, inspection, and finishing activities on launcher tubes and associated space and defense components. Depending on experience level, you may support foundational coating operations, independently perform complete coating processes, troubleshoot coating and finishing issues, perform rework, and serve as a technical resource to less-experienced team members.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare launcher tubes and associated components for primer, paint, and protective coating operations using approved tools, equipment, and processes.

• Operate approved surface-preparation equipment and tools used to clean, abrade, profile, sand, or otherwise prepare components prior to coating.

• Inspect prepared surfaces to verify acceptable cleanliness and surface condition before primer or paint application.

• Mask components and defined areas according to engineering drawings, work instructions, and manufacturing travelers.

• Mix primers, paints, coatings, reducers, and related materials according to approved ratios, manufacturer requirements, and applicable process specifications.

• Apply primers, paints, and protective coatings using approved manual spray equipment and established application techniques.

• Maintain required coating coverage, appearance, wet- or dry-film thickness, flash times, cure requirements, environmental controls, and process parameters.

• Identify coating defects including runs, sags, overspray, contamination, insufficient coverage, and finish imperfections, and perform approved touch-up, spot repair, and rework.

• Clean and maintain spray guns, preparation equipment, fixtures, tooling, and work areas.

• Complete production travelers, material records, inspection documentation, and required manufacturing paperwork accurately and in accordance with established procedures.

• Follow all PPE, respiratory-protection, chemical-handling, environmental, hazardous-material, safety, and quality requirements.

• At more advanced levels, support setup, troubleshooting, process adherence, and training of less-experienced painters.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Relevant industrial, aerospace, automotive, defense, manufacturing, or comparable paint/coating experience appropriate to the assigned level.

• Experience with surface preparation, masking, mixing, and spray application of primers, paints, or protective coatings.

• Ability to read and follow engineering drawings, work instructions, process specifications, and manufacturing travelers.

• Working knowledge appropriate to level of coating mix ratios, cure requirements, application techniques, surface preparation, and common paint defects.

• Ability to safely set up and operate applicable painting and surface-preparation equipment.

• Ability to work safely with required PPE and in environments involving paints, solvents, coatings, chemicals, and hazardous materials.

• Ability to use applicable measuring and inspection equipment.

• Ability to maintain required quality, productivity, documentation, and process discipline.

• Ability to work effectively with Production, Quality, Engineering, and other manufacturing functions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Aerospace or defense manufacturing experience.

• Experience applying coatings to cylindrical parts, tubes, structures, or similar assemblies.

• Experience with abrasive blasting, sanding, surface profiling, or other controlled surface-preparation processes.

• Familiarity with wet-film and dry-film thickness measurement and coating inspection.

• Experience working to space, aerospace, defense, or customer-specific coating specifications.

• Experience with paint-process troubleshooting, defect analysis, and rework.

• Experience training or mentoring less-experienced painters.

• Experience working in an AS9100 or similarly controlled manufacturing environment.

JOB LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Painter I: 0–1 year of relevant industrial, aerospace, automotive, defense, manufacturing, or comparable paint/coating experience.

  • Pay range $22.50-$26.00

• Painter II: Minimum of 2 years of relevant industrial, aerospace, automotive, defense, manufacturing, or comparable paint/coating experience.

  • Pay range $25.00-$29.00

• Painter III: Minimum of 5 years of industrial, aerospace, or defense paint/coating experience, including the ability to independently perform advanced coating operations, troubleshooting, and rework.

  • Pay range $28.00-$31.00

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and perform repetitive hand and arm movements for extended periods.

• Ability to safely handle painting, preparation, and inspection equipment required for assigned work.

• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection when required.

• Ability to work in manufacturing environments involving paints, coatings, solvents, chemicals, dust, fumes, and controlled surface-preparation processes.

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

EXPORT CONTROL / ITAR REQUIREMENTS

This position requires access to information or technology that is subject to U.S. export-control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must be a U.S. person as defined by applicable regulations or otherwise eligible to obtain any required authorization from the U.S. government.

BENEFITS

Karman Space & Defense offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, financial well-being, and overall quality of life of our employees and their families. Benefits may include medical, dental, vision, retirement savings, paid time off, company-paid holidays, and other programs available in accordance with company policy and eligibility requirements.

Karman Space & Defense is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.

Karman Space & Defense is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.