Painter

Marine Painter - San Diego, CA - $20 to $25 - 1st Shift (6:30am - 3:00pm)
Job Description

• This role prepares and paints wood and metal surfaces on ships and shipyard structures, ensuring high-quality protective coatings that meet strict safety and technical standards. You will perform surface preparation, masking, mixing and applying coatings by hand and spray, inspect and touch up finished work, and support related shipyard activities as needed.

Responsibilities

• Set up tools, materials, and equipment at the job site to perform surface preparation and painting tasks safely and efficiently.
• Clean and prepare wood and metal surfaces by removing dirt, grease, rust, scale, and other contaminants using appropriate tools, solvents, and cleaning materials.
• Mask and tape areas that do not require painting to protect adjacent surfaces during coating application.
• Set up and operate spray paint equipment, including conventional and airless systems, to apply coatings according to specifications.
• Mix paint and coating materials in accordance with the Product Data Sheet (PDS), ensuring correct ratios, viscosity, and application properties.
• Apply coatings using hand brushing and spray painting techniques on parts, equipment, and structural surfaces on the interior and exterior of ships and shipyard buildings.
• Inspect prepared and painted areas for coverage, finish quality, and defects, and perform touch-up work as needed to meet quality standards.
• Operate high-reach equipment to prepare and coat hard-to-reach and elevated areas safely.
• Maintain housekeeping in assigned work areas during and after tasks, including removing scrap, sweeping, and general cleaning.
• Work with other departments to support cross-trade activities, such as erecting and dismantling scaffolding, water evacuation, load out, and grooming compartments.
• Attend safety, quality, and process improvement meetings as requested and follow all safety instructions, regulations, and warnings.
• Maintain awareness of hazards in the work area, respond to warning signals, and follow safe work practices at all times.
• Perform other related tasks as assigned that are consistent with painting and shipyard operations.

Essential Skills

• One to three years of experience with hand brush and spray painting applications, or accreditation with SSPC C-12 Certification.
• Knowledge of basic painting applications, including proper surface preparation and coating techniques.
• Ability to perform surface preparation procedures, including cleaning, degreasing, rust and scale removal, and masking.
• Proficiency in mixing paints and coatings according to the Product Data Sheet (PDS), including understanding mixing ratios and application requirements.
• Ability to read, understand, and apply information from Product Data Sheets and other technical instructions.
• Capability to identify appropriate paint application requirements and select the correct equipment for specific coating applications.
• Ability to operate high-reach equipment safely to prepare and paint elevated and difficult-to-access areas.
• Comfort working at heights and in confined spaces while adhering to safety procedures.
• Ability to work any shift as required by production and project schedules.
• Capability to safely access and move around ships, including climbing, balancing, and navigating various shipboard environments.
• Ability to distinguish differences in color to ensure proper coating application and quality.
• Strong comprehension of written and verbal instructions, including safety instructions, regulations, and warnings.
• Ability to hear warning signals and maintain general safety awareness in a dynamic industrial environment.
• Physical ability to frequently lift and carry painting equipment, occasionally lift paint cans up to approximately 94 pounds, and perform standing, walking, reaching, kneeling, climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling, and fine manual work.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous shipyard experience is preferred and will help in understanding shipboard environments and workflows.
• Familiarity with spray painting, paint preparation, masking, and general labor tasks in an industrial or marine setting.
• Experience working with conventional and airless spray equipment for industrial coatings.
• Exposure to working with paints, solvents, biodegradable degreasers, masking materials, and various cleaning materials.
• Ability to use mechanical and hand tools commonly employed in industrial painting and surface preparation.
• Comfort using and maintaining personal protective equipment, including air respirators and full-face respirators.
• Willingness to support cross-functional tasks such as scaffolding work, water evacuation, load out, and compartment grooming.
• Willingness to participate in safety, quality, and process improvement meetings and apply best practices on the job.

Why Work Here?

• You will contribute directly to large-scale, mission-critical shipbuilding projects that support national defense and maritime operations. The work environment offers long-term stability and growth, backed by major multi-ship construction programs that underscore the organization's engineering excellence and reliability. You will join a team that values innovation, quality, and continuous improvement, providing opportunities to develop specialized industrial skills and advance your career in a secure and expanding shipbuilding setting.

Work Environment

• This position supports a new construction shipbuilding program focused on modern fleet oilers designed for at-sea refueling and logistics. You will work in a large industrial shipyard environment and onboard ships, including interior spaces, decks, and exterior structures.
• The role involves frequent exposure to fumes, odors, dust, mist, gases, and potentially toxic or caustic chemicals, as well as proximity to moving machinery and mechanical parts.
• Temperatures and ventilation conditions may vary and sometimes cause discomfort, and you may need to work in awkward postures and positions, including confined spaces and elevated locations. You will use paints, solvents, biodegradable degreasers, masking materials, cleaning equipment, mechanical and hand tools, and both conventional and airless spray systems.
• Personal protective equipment, including air respirators and full-face respirators, is required and provided for safe performance of duties.
• The job is physically demanding, with frequent lifting, climbing, balancing, kneeling, and fine manual work, and requires consistent awareness of safety procedures, warning signals, and shipyard hazards. Work may occur across different shifts to meet project schedules in a production-focused, team-oriented environment.

Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $25.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 4, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.


Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.