Technique is looking for a Powder Coat Technician to join our team at our Jackson, Michigan facility. This position reports to the Department Manager in the Powder Coat department. The Powder Coat Technician applies a progressive range of painting techniques—including powder coat, wet paint spraying, Cerakote, and hydro dip—on various materials, and performs material preparation such as sandblasting, cleaning, dipping, and masking to meet quality and customer on-time performance goals.
The ideal candidate brings demonstrated experience in powder coating, paint shop operations, or manufacturing, along with a solid understanding of basic mechanical techniques. The right person can independently inspect coated product, troubleshoot paint defects, process quality documentation, and drive continuous improvement—while maintaining safe work practices and supporting those around them.
Responsibilities:
- Work safely – Follow all company and department-specific safety procedures; safe work practices are an essential function of this position.
- Prepare parts for coating – Load and unload paint booth conveyors; clean and remove unwanted debris or rust; apply sandblasting, masking, and other preparation techniques.
- Apply coating techniques – Follow all principles and practices of powder coat application; paint product to print in the production environment using powder coat, wet spray, Cerakote, hydro dip, and other methods.
- Operate coating equipment – Operate hand grinder, sander, and all coating equipment including guns, hoppers, and booth collection systems; measure parts with basic quality tools.
- Operate lift truck – Operate a lift truck or obtain a lift truck license as required.
- Monitor equipment and detect defects – Observe machine gauges and equipment operation to detect defects; troubleshoot conveyor issues and sprayer adjustment issues as needed.
- Ensure quality and on-time performance – Ensure all components are produced and coated efficiently, consistently meeting company-established goals for quality and customer on-time delivery.
- Maintain and repair equipment – Perform proper cleaning and maintenance of painting equipment; clean all equipment thoroughly and assist in equipment repair when needed.
- Use job travelers and blueprints – Learn and use job travelers; apply advanced blueprint reading skills including finding customer specs on customer prints and locating information in shared folders.
- Use ERP system (E2) – Utilize the company’s ERP system (E2) for inventory functions, printing job travelers, and understanding material flow and process control across both auto and manual lines.
- Inspect painted product and complete documentation – Visually inspect painted product; complete end-of-line inspection documents and all quality documentation required; process all job folders.
- Perform paint quality determinations – Determine paint flow, viscosity, and coating quality through visual inspections or viscometer use; bake parts at appropriate temperatures within time limitations; interpret 1st PC test sample results and lab reports; understand thermosetting resin coatings, wash, and pretreatment requirements.
- Troubleshoot powder coat process – Identify and troubleshoot paint defects; understand temperature controls of the drying process; troubleshoot conveyor and sprayer adjustment issues; mix paint when needed; demonstrate ability to meet customer paint specifications.
- Assemble and manage fixtures – Assemble all fixtures and verify them before quality approval; understand paint fixture locations and the return process.
- Package product – Package product to print independently after painting; ensure products are completed and ready for dispatch on time.
- Support development and process improvement – Influence and aid in the development of others; participate in safety functions; recognize and implement process improvements; support HR functions and documentation as applicable.
Requirements:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Valid driver’s license required
- Demonstrable experience in powder coating, paint shop operations, or manufacturing
- Ability to understand basic mechanical and manufacturing techniques
- Ability to work independently with supervision and to problem solve
- Ability to pass road test and drive Technique trucks preferred
- Ability to frequently lift and/or move items over 50 pounds
- This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing throughout the shift
- 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 frequent exposure to fumes or airborne particles, hazardous chemicals, moving mechanical parts, industrial equipment, vibration, and loud noise
- No travel required for this position
- Must be eligible to work in the United States; E-Verify partner employer (H1B sponsorship available)
Position Type and Expected Hours:
This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a minimum of 40 hours per week with overtime as needed. Note: days and hours required may vary. Flexibility is required. Shift premiums are available.
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.
