Paint Process Technician

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

While upholding Hoyt’s Policies and Mission and Values Statements, the Paint Process Technician is responsible for supporting the operation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of equipment and processes related to painting and decorative finishing of limbs, handles, and accessories.

This position serves as a hands-on technical resource within the Paint Department and is responsible for performing production painting while diagnosing paint defects, application issues, equipment concerns, and process-related problems. The Paint Process Technician works with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and other team members to identify root causes, make appropriate process adjustments, reduce recurring defects and downtime, and maintain consistent finish quality.

The position supports multiple coating and finishing processes, including water-based and solvent-based wet spray systems, powder coating, hydrofilm/hydrographic applications, primer, base coat, clear coat, and other decorative finishing processes.

I – ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Meets daily production requirements: 

• Applies primer, base coat, clear coat, and other water-based and solvent-based wet spray coatings using HVLP spray guns and related application equipment.
• Supports powder coating processes, including application, equipment setup, process monitoring, and troubleshooting.
• Supports hydrofilm/hydrographic finishing processes , including surface preparation, application, and troubleshooting finish-quality issues.
• Operates paint scales and performs paint mixing, measuring, reduction, and preparation according to established specifications and Technical Data Sheets (TDS).
• Operates and supports Plural Component Mixing Systems and associated paint-delivery equipment.
• Diagnoses paint and finish defects including runs, sags, orange peel, fisheyes, adhesion issues, contamination, improper cure, color or coverage variation, and other surface imperfections.
• Troubleshoots paint application equipment and systems including spray guns, pumps, hoses, regulators, filters, fluid-delivery systems, air pressure, mixing/proportioning equipment, and related components.
• Identifies whether paint-quality issues are related to material, surface preparation, application technique, equipment, environmental conditions, or process parameters.
• Makes appropriate process and equipment adjustments within established parameters to restore finish quality and production flow.
• Performs routine inspections, cleaning, setup, calibration checks, and basic preventive maintenance of paint and coating equipment.
• Partners with Maintenance when equipment problems require advanced mechanical, electrical, or other technical repair.
• Supports root-cause analysis and corrective actions related to recurring paint defects, rework, scrap, equipment downtime, and process variation.
• Inspects finished products to determine whether they meet Hoyt quality and appearance standards.
• Performs rework as necessary and assists other painters with identifying appropriate repair techniques.
• Assists with training and coaching team members on spray technique, equipment setup, paint preparation, defect recognition, troubleshooting, standard work, and safe material handling.
• Maintains paint equipment, work areas, booths, and associated systems in a clean, safe, and organized condition.
• Follows all standard work, SDS requirements, PPE requirements, respirator procedures, hazardous-material requirements, and company safety protocols.

Additional Responsibilities:

Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor. Willingness to cross train and perform other duties as assigned.

II – JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

This position requires:

• Strong knowledge of industrial, manufacturing, or automotive paint and coating application processes.
• Ability to apply water-based and solvent-based wet spray coatings , including primer, base coat, and clear coat.
• Working knowledge of powder coating processes and equipment.
• Working knowledge of hydrofilm/hydrographic finishing processes .
• Experience operating and troubleshooting HVLP spray guns and related application equipment.
• Experience with Plural Component Mixing Systems preferred.
• Ability to diagnose paint defects and identify potential root causes.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot basic pneumatic, fluid-delivery, and paint application systems.
• Ability to read, understand, and apply Technical Data Sheets (TDS), Safety Data Sheets (SDS), coating specifications, mix ratios, and work instructions .
• Ability to recognize and correct finish imperfections and maintain a strong “painter’s eye” for quality.
• Ability to determine whether a problem is related to coating material, preparation, equipment, application technique, environment, or process.
• Ability to communicate technical problems and findings effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and other team members.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to perform repetitive work quickly and accurately.
• Ability to stand for long periods.
• Ability to follow all standard work, SDS, environmental, and safety protocols.

Training and Education:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Type of Training: On-the-job training. Technical training in automotive refinishing, industrial coatings, paint systems, manufacturing, or industrial maintenance is preferred.

Required Prior Work Experience:

Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible industrial, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, body shop, or similar paint/coatings experience, including demonstrated experience troubleshooting paint processes, finish defects, and application equipment. , including hands-on spray application and paint-process troubleshooting.

Previous experience with water-based and solvent-based wet spray systems, HVLP spray equipment, powder coating, hydrofilm/hydrographic finishing, and/or plural-component mixing systems .

Experience troubleshooting paint defects, application equipment, pneumatic or fluid-delivery systems, and recurring coating-process problems is highly desirable.

Management reserves the right to require specific training for this position. Depending upon the type and quality of prior work experience, some exchanges may be made between training and experience.

III – QUALITY AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

Decision Making and Problem Solving:

Ability to determine whether products meet the quality standards established by the company.

Must be able to identify, diagnose, and troubleshoot paint, coating, equipment, and process-related problems and determine appropriate corrective action within the scope of the position.

Uses technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to evaluate paint defects and determine potential causes related to materials, surface preparation, application technique, equipment settings, environmental conditions, or process variation.

Works with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and other resources when problems require additional technical support or corrective action.

Interaction with Others:

This job requires the ability to interact effectively with other employees and work as a member of a team.

Must support and work to meet the needs of internal customers.

Provides technical assistance and guidance to painters and works collaboratively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and leadership to resolve paint-process and equipment issues.

Supervisory and Leadership Responsibilities:

This position may provide technical guidance, troubleshooting assistance, and process training to other Paint Department employees but does not have direct supervisory responsibility.

iV - Working Environment:

Physical environment:

Works in a production environment with exposure to varying noise and temperature levels and requires standing for extended periods of time. The position works with water-based and solvent-based coatings, powder-coating materials, hydrofilm/hydrographic materials, paints, solvents, cleaning chemicals, and related finishing products .

Required personal protective equipment may include protective clothing, gloves, eye protection, and respirators as required by the process and applicable safety standards.

Mental pressure:

Responsible for meeting daily production and quality requirements while responding to paint-process, equipment, and finish-quality issues. Must be able to troubleshoot problems, prioritize production needs, communicate effectively with other departments, and work within established deadlines.