Metal Prep Wash Technician 1st Shift

Job Description

Job Description

1st Shift Metal Finishing Prep – Wash Technician

Technique is looking for a 1st Shift Metal Finishing Prep – Wash Technician to join our team at our Jackson, Michigan facility. This position reports to the Manufacturing Manager in the Technique weld and assembly plant. This role is focused on washing, cleaning, and preparing metal surfaces to the highest quality standards, including operating parts wash stations and pressure washing equipment, blueprint reading, general assembly, and operating equipment such as laser etchers, leak test machines, and robotic welders. The employee will ensure all parts are clean, contaminant-free, and meet A-class surface quality requirements prior to coating and shipment.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience working with wash stations, car washes, or pressure washing equipment, along with demonstrated experience achieving A-class surface quality standards. They are proficient in automotive sanding techniques, defect identification, metal substrate preparation, and weld seam blending. Familiarity with MIL-SPEC or defense/industrial quality standards is a strong plus, along with confidence operating DA sanders, angle grinders, orbital polishers, and hand-sanding blocks at proper speed and pressure.

Responsibilities:

• Wash Station Operation – Operate parts wash stations and pressure washing equipment to remove oils, cutting fluids, shop dirt, and other contaminants from metal parts prior to finishing and coating; monitor water temperature, pressure, and cleaning solution levels; dry and inspect parts for residue or water spotting; and keep wash equipment clean and in good working order.
• A-Class Surface Finishing – Achieve A-class surface quality standards, including zero visible defects, consistent sheen, and inspection-ready results.
• Automotive Sanding Techniques – Perform dry sanding using progressive grits (80 through 600+), block sanding, and feathering edges on complex contours.
• Defect Identification & Correction – Identify and correct surface defects such as orange peel, runs, sags, pinholes, scratches, and weld splatter prior to finishing.
• Metal Substrate Preparation – Prep bare metal, weld joints, and machined surfaces – including degreasing, phosphate treatment, and scuff prep – prior to coating.
• Weld Seam Blending – Grind, file, and finish weld beads to achieve smooth, seamless transitions that meet visual and dimensional tolerances.
• Masking & Surface Protection – Precision mask critical areas, hardware, and adjacent assemblies to protect finished surfaces during multi-stage prep operations.
• Defense/Industrial Quality Standards – Apply familiarity with MIL-SPEC coating requirements, inspection criteria, and documentation practices common in defense manufacturing environments.
• Power & Hand Tool Proficiency – Operate DA sanders, angle grinders, orbital polishers, files, and hand-sanding blocks with proper speed and pressure control to avoid burn-through.
• General Assembly – Use hand tools (hammer, chisel, scraper, torque wrench, etc.) to complete general assembly tasks and assemble parts to a blueprint.
• Machine Operation – Load and operate laser etch machine, leak-testing machine, and robotic welder; must be capable of learning simple machine operating tasks.
• Forklift Operation – Obtain and maintain forklift license; must be highly proficient at operating a forklift.
• Packing & Shipping – Pack and prepare finished goods for shipment, ensuring all items meet quality standards prior to release.
• Other duties as assigned – Perform tasks as assigned by the Manufacturing Manager.

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Experience working with wash stations, car washes, or pressure washing equipment, including safe handling of cleaning chemicals and high-pressure equipment
• Demonstrated experience achieving A-class surface quality standards, including zero visible defects and inspection-ready results
• Proficiency in dry sanding using progressive grits (80 through 600+), block sanding, and feathering edges on complex contours
• Ability to identify and correct surface defects such as orange peel, runs, sags, pinholes, scratches, and weld splatter
• Experience prepping bare metal, weld joints, and machined surfaces including degreasing, phosphate treatment, and scuff prep prior to coating
• Skill in grinding, filing, and finishing weld beads to achieve smooth, seamless transitions that meet visual and dimensional tolerances
• Precision masking of critical areas, hardware, and adjacent assemblies to protect finished surfaces during multi-stage prep operations
• Familiarity with MIL-SPEC coating requirements, inspection criteria, and documentation practices preferred
• Competent use of DA sanders, angle grinders, orbital polishers, files, and hand-sanding blocks with knowledge of proper speed and pressure control
• Must be able to meet the requirements to be licensed and highly proficient at operating a forklift
• Ability to read blueprints and attention to detail
• This is a very active position requiring standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day; must be able to frequently lift and/or move items over 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment with exposure to water and wet conditions, fumes, airborne particles, hazardous chemicals, moving mechanical parts, industrial equipment, vibration, and loud noise
• No travel required
• Must be eligible to work in the United States; E-Verify partner employer

Position Type and Expected Hours:

This is a full-time non-exempt position with a minimum of 40 hours per week with overtime as required. Days and hours may vary; flexibility is required. Working overtime and schedule flexibility are essential functions of this position.

About Technique:

Technique is a Michigan-based precision sheet metal and welded assemblies manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, automotive, motorsports, medical, and food processing industries. We specialize in high-speed prototypes, ultra-low volume stampings, tubing, and assemblies for production and emergency-based manufacturing.

Our employees enjoy a work culture that values safety, integrity, teamwork, learning opportunities, and results.

Technique benefits include paid time off, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), 401(k), 401(k) matching, professional development, referral program, paid training, on-the-job training, employee assistance program, and tuition reimbursement.

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k)
• 401(k) Matching
• Professional Development
• Referral Program
• Paid Training
• On The Job Training
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Technique is an equal employment opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.