Paint & Coating Lead

Overview

GTI Fabrication is seeking a 3rd Shift Working Lead for the Coatings Department to lead surface preparation, industrial coatings, and powder coating operations. This role leads and works alongside paint prep and maskers, sandblasters, painters and powder coating technicians while ensuring safety, coating quality, durability, and compliance with specifications. The Working Lead will be responsible for meeting the daily production goals set by Supervisors, while also helping to align future production goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead prep team, sandblasters, powder coaters, and industrial painters
• Ensure proper surface prep including cleaning, blasting, and masking
• Enforce compliance with product data sheets and coating specifications
• Oversee mixing and application of primers, epoxies, and topcoats
• Oversee cleanliness of powder coat hooks and carts, ensuring proper grounding
• Verify coating thickness, coverage, and finish quality meet customer requirements
• Maintain blast booth, spray booths, spray equipment, and powder coating equipment
• Enforce safety protocols related to coatings, solvents, and PPE
• Support inspection, documentation, and quality records
• Drive reduction of rework, defects, and coating failures by using proper cleaning and application techniques

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with two-component coatings (zinc, epoxy and polyurethane)
• Experience with batch style powder coating process
• Knowledge of inspecting finished parts, recording dry film thickness, diagnosing and understanding root cause of defects
• Experience supporting industrial coating standard operating procedures and associated work instructions