Powder Coater​/Finishing Technician

Edwards Unlimited is a full-service metal fabrication shop in Henderson, NC, under the same ownership since 2005. We run laser cutting, press brake forming, welding, machining, media blasting, powder coating, equipment repair, and walk-in metal sales. Our job is to keep businesses moving with safe, efficient, high-quality metal fabrication.

Our finishing department is not a spray-and-hope operation. We cure to part-metal temperature, we prep to spec, and we document what we run.

Surface prep

• Blast, grind, and mechanically clean carbon steel, stainless, and aluminum parts; remove mill scale on exterior and performance-critical steel rather than relying on chemistry to hide it

• Run wash, phosphate/zirconium pretreatment, rinse, and forced dry-down to the current product data sheet — including titration and concentration checks

• Verify aluminum and lubed parts with a water-break check before they move to coating

• Mask threads, machined surfaces, and no-coat areas per the job traveler

Coating

• Hang, rack, and ground parts for consistent electrostatic transfer and complete coverage

• Set up and operate electrostatic powder equipment: gun settings, kV, powder flow, hopper changeovers, and color changes with full cleanout

• Apply to specified cured film build and check with a mil gauge

Cure

• Start the dwell clock when the part reaches required PMT — not when the oven air hits setpoint

• Log PMT and dwell; add ramp time for heavy weldments and thick sections

• Work from the exact manufacturer product code and current TDS for every cure schedule; do not substitute a schedule from a similar color name

Quality and housekeeping

• Inspect for orange peel, thin film, runs, contamination, out gassing, and adhesion defects; perform cross-hatch and impact testing when called for

• Complete coating records, batch and powder lot documentation, and nonconformance reports

• Maintain booth, oven, guns, hooks, and filters; run the chemical stripping station for hook and rework recovery with proper containment, ventilation, rinse, and dry-down

• Keep the finishing area clean, organized, and inspection-ready

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Able to read a job traveler, tape measure, and written work instruction

• Comfortable lifting up to 50 lbs repeatedly, standing for a full shift, and working in a hot shop environment near ovens

• Willing to wear required PPE at all times, including respiratory protection

• Dependable attendance and a clean, methodical work habit — finishing is the last thing the customer sees

• Valid driver's license

Preferred

• 1+ years in powder coating, industrial painting, blasting, or metal finishing

• Experience with electrostatic spray equipment and color changeovers

• Familiarity with mil gauges, PMT probes or data loggers, and cure curves

• Experience in an ISO 9001 or documented-quality environment

• Forklift experience

• Overhead crane or hoist experience

No experience? Still apply. If you have shop sense, show up on time, and take pride in your work, we will train the process. We would rather teach the right person our standard than untrain bad habits.

• Steady full-time work with a shop that has been here 20+ years

• Consistent day-shift schedule — no nights, no rotating shifts

• Overtime available

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) with company match

• 5 paid holidays and 5 paid time off days per year

• Training on real process control, not just trigger time

• Advancement into lead finisher, quality, or fabrication roles as the shop grows

Edwards Unlimited Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is contingent on the ability to perform the essential functions of the job and to comply with shop safety requirements.