Mechanical Paint and Surface Preparation Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Imagine Your Impact

What if your precision prep work and finishing skills helped bring creative tools to classrooms and studios worldwide? At American Art Clay Company (AMACO)—founded in 1919 by Ted O. Philpott, a trailblazer in ceramic and non-ceramic clays, lead-free glazes, electric kilns, and potter’s wheels—you’ll support a century-long legacy. As a founding member of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute since 1936, safety is in our DNA. As a fourth-generation, family-owned company, we believe making art builds skills, confidence, and community—and we never stop improving how we do it.

Is This You?

• Do you thrive in a hands-on role setting up and operating a paint booth to coat mechanical products?
• Can you prep parts meticulously—deburr before welding, clean, and mask—so finishes meet spec the first time?
• Are you comfortable presenting progress to management and documenting your work clearly?
• Will you follow Bills of Material (BOMs) and processing/work instructions exactly, every time?

What You’ll Own

• Set up, operate, and tune finishing equipment; perform operational and preventive maintenance on the booth and tools.
• Prepare components for paint and perform incidental painting as assigned.
• Support light assembly tasks and safely move materials using handling equipment.
• Lift up to 70 lbs. as work requires; wear a respirator; work in hot environments.

Reporting & Team

You will report to the Mechanical Supervisor and may receive day-to-day assignments from the Crew Lead . You’ll collaborate across production to uphold AMACO’s standards for safety, quality, customer care, teamwork, respect, learning, and development.

Skills We Value

• Reading and comprehension to interpret BOMs and work instructions accurately.
• Confident verbal and written communication; able to present to management.
• Safe, effective operation of all required equipment and material-handling tools.

Work Setting & Physical Profile

This role involves extended standing and hot conditions at times. While on the job, you’ll regularly talk or hear; frequently stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms; and occasionally sit, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. You’ll frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Vision needs include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Schedule & Travel

• Full-time, Monday–Friday; 40+ hours per week.
• Occasional evenings/weekends based on operational demand.
• No travel expected.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1+ year of relevant experience preferred.

Preferred Proficiencies

• Warehouse experience
• Mechanical assembly skills
• Experience in a manufacturing environment

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

Equal Opportunity

EEO Statement:

AMACO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: AMACO is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at AMACO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the location where we operate. AMACO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Note

This is not a comprehensive task list; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.