Application Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Application Specialist supports the development, evaluation, and technical validation of industrial wood coating systems. This role serves as a critical bridge between Product Management, Laboratory Development, Technical Service, and Sales to ensure coatings perform consistently in real-world spray environments.

This position will lead and support spray application testing, competitive benchmarking, internal product evaluations, and field problem-solving. This position also maintains application equipment and spray facilities. The role requires deep, hands-on expertise in wood coating spray techniques, fluid delivery systems, and industrial finishing equipment.

The Application Specialist plays a key part in supporting lab initiatives, new product launches, and continuous improvement projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Application Testing & Product Evaluation

• Conduct spray application testing for new product development, reformulations, and product improvements
• Perform internal product evaluations and competitive benchmarking
• Document coating performance, including:
  • Dry-to-handle, dry-to-sand, and dry-to-stack times
  • Atomization and transfer efficiency
  • Sanding quality, flow and leveling, feel and slip
  • Defect identification, film build, and overall appearance
• Evaluate stain applications including wipe ease, spray/no-wipe methods, color development, and dry times
• Partner with Product Management and Laboratory teams to translate formulations into real-world performance

Spray Equipment & Facility Management

• Maintain and manage spray booths, finishing equipment, and testing environments
• Set up and operate industrial spray systems, including:
  • Airless
  • Air-Assisted Airless
  • HVLP
  • Conventional spray systems
• Maintain fluid delivery systems such as pumps, pressure pots, and circulation systems
• Ensure all equipment is calibrated, functioning properly, and operating safely
• Follow all EHS standards, including recordkeeping and waste disposal procedures

Cross-Functional Technical Support

• Collaborate with Sales, Technical Service, Product Management, and Laboratory teams
• Troubleshoot application challenges during trials and evaluations
• Provide practical application insights to improve product formulation and performance
• Support product launches with spray parameters, application guidelines, and best practices

Competitive & Market Evaluation

• Conduct spray testing of competitor coatings
• Provide structured feedback on:
  • Sprayability
  • Appearance and finish quality
  • Film build
  • Defect resistance
  • Production suitability
• Communicate overall user experience comparisons between Gemini products and competitors

Product Development Support

• Assist in coating system validation for new product launches
• Establish application parameters and recommended equipment settings
• Support development of technical documentation and product positioning

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Technical Expertise

• Extensive hands-on experience applying industrial wood coatings, including:

• Stains
• Lacquers and pre-catalyzed lacquers
• Conversion varnishes
• Waterborne coatings
• Two-component finishes

• Strong understanding of coating behavior in production spray environments

Spray Equipment Knowledge

• Experience with:
  • Airless and Air-Assisted Airless systems
  • HVLP and conventional spray guns
  • Fluid delivery systems (pumps, pressure pots, circulation loops)

Equipment & Facility Management

• Ability to maintain spray booths, filtration systems, and finishing equipment
• Experience maintaining fluid handling systems and spray components
• Ability to manage sanding tables and inventories (test panels, abrasives, sundries)

Analytical & Troubleshooting Skills

• Ability to identify and resolve application issues such as:
  • Orange peel
  • Dry spray
  • Poor atomization
  • Film defects and inconsistent build
• Strong observational, evaluation, and documentation skills

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Proven ability to work with Product Management, R&D/Laboratory teams, Technical Service, Sales, and OEM representatives
• Ability to translate technical findings into actionable insights across teams

Key Attributes for Success

• Hands-on, practical problem solver
• High attention to detail in application testing
• Ability to translate laboratory concepts into real-world performance
• Strong organizational and documentation discipline
• Collaborative mindset across technical and commercial teams
• Adhere to all safety regulations and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in industrial wood finishing or coatings application
• Experience working with OEM wood manufacturers or production finishing environments
• Familiarity with coating evaluation protocols and testing methods
• Strong mechanical aptitude for equipment maintenance and troubleshooting

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the role, with reasonable accommodations available as needed.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and work in office, laboratory, manufacturing, and customer environments.
• Occasional lifting or movement of materials up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to use hands for handling equipment and tools.
• Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception.
• Ability to travel as required to customer sites, suppliers, and company facilities.