Manufacturing Paint Technician

Job Title: Manufacturing Paint Technician

Location: Cleveland, OH

Business Unit: Team Wendy - 17000 Saint Clair, Cleveland OH 44110

Purpose of Position:

The Manufacturing Paint Technician is responsible for applying high-quality paint finishes to military grade helmets in strict accordance with ISO quality standards, customer specifications, and internal production requirements. This role requires exceptional attention to detail, consistency, and craftsmanship to ensure all products meet aesthetic, functional, and compliance expectations. The Paint Technician plays a critical role in delivering mission-ready protective equipment while maintaining operational excellence and audit readiness.

Key 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.
• Execute all painting activities in compliance with ISO 9001 requirements, internal quality procedures, and customer contractual specifications.
• Identify, document, and escalate quality issues or non-conformances in accordance with established procedures.
• 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.
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, and Production teams to support process improvements and new product introductions (NPI), as required.
• 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.

Quality & Compliance Expectations
• Maintain a high standard of workmanship with minimal rework or defects.
• Adhere strictly to documented work instructions, control plans, and quality checkpoints.
• Support ISO audits, customer audits, and internal inspections by ensuring documentation accuracy and process compliance.
• Demonstrate accountability for product integrity and compliance with military and customer requirements.

Required Skills & Competencies
• Strong attention to detail with a demonstrated commitment to quality and consistency.
• Ability to follow detailed work instructions and technical specifications precisely.
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills to perform detailed painting tasks.
• Ability to identify visual defects and deviations from quality standards.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Continuous improvement mindset with openness to feedback and process optimization.

Qualifications
• 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.
• Ability to lift up to 10-20 pounds, as required.

Preferred Qualifications:
• 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.

About Avon Technologies:

We design and produce life-critical personal protection solutions for the world's militaries and first responders. With a portfolio that includes Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear ("CBRN"), protection. We do this through our two brands, Avon Technologies and Team Wendy. Our mission is to provide unparalleled protection for those who protect us, giving them the confidence to tackle challenging situations and helping them get home safe. At Avon Protection, we recognize that our success relies on the collective efforts of our talented team. As an organization, we welcome individuals who embody our #FIERCE company values - fearlessness, integrity, excellence, resilience, collaboration, and the ability to execute.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following:

• Flexible Schedule
• Generous paid time off
• Competitive Compensation Package
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Bonus Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• 401k Matching
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Mentorship Program
• Supplemental plans
• Company-paid life and AD&D
• Medical/Dental/Vision

This job description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with this job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserved the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary.

Responsibilities of this position may include direct and/or indirect physical or logical access to information, systems, technologies subjected to the regulations/compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws.


U.S. Export Control laws and U.S. Government Department of Defense contracts and sub-contracts impose certain restrictions on companies and their ability to share export-controlled and other technology and services with certain "non-U.S. persons" (persons who are not U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., refugees, "Temporary Residents" (granted Amnesty or Special Agricultural Worker provisions), or persons granted asylum (but excluding persons in nonimmigrant status such as H-1B, L-1, F-1, etc.) or non-U.S. citizens.


To comply with these laws, and in conjunction with the review of candidates for those positions within Avon that may present access to export controlled technical data, Avon must assess employees' U.S. person status, as well as citizenship(s).


The questions asked in this application are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this particular position. The decision whether or not to file or pursue an export license application is at Avon's sole election. Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without a sponsorship for employment visa status (e.e. H1B status).

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in Cleveland, OH is $23.53 to $34.35 hourly. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and years of experience within the job, type and years of experience within the industry, education, etc.

EOE, Including Vet/Disability