Aircraft Painter

General Description

Coats surfaces of military aircraft and components with paint, lacquer, epoxy, resin or other material, using Aerospace/aviation application techniques with spray guns, paint guns and other application devices

• Removes old paint from aircraft, using liquid paint remover and scraper;
• Smooths surface with sandpaper and steel wool;
• Roughens aluminum surfaces with acid solution and steel wool to ensure that paint adheres to surface;
• Masks and covers portions of surfaces not to be painted; and
• Assemble staging, scaffolds and work stands necessary to perform the full function of the paint shop;
• Prepare aircraft, engines, SE and components for finish using various chemicals, detergents and solvents in conjunction with high pressure steam and water;
• Apply chemical conversion coating to bare substrate, sand and feather edge existing coatings using various grits of abrasives;
• Apply protective and decorative coating and paint finishes to aircraft, engines, ground SE and components;
• Paint insignias, lettering and designs on aircraft and components;
• Apply decals transfer and stencils to identify and decorate aircraft, engines, ground SE and components;
• Perform high finish and critical tolerance painting on aircraft, engines, ground SE and components;
• Apply sophisticated coating materials such as, but not limited to, waterbornes, elastomeric, low volatile organic compounds materials to aircraft, engines, ground SE and components;
• Apply radiation-reflecting coatings to cockpit and canopy enclosures;
• Mix primers, sealers and topcoat material to required viscosity for individual job or entire paint shop;
• Treat corrosion and perform wet and dry tape tests;
• Possess a current license to operate a portable man lift and shall have skills in the use of measuring devices and gauges used to determine thickness, viscosity, surface smoothness and gloss of the applied coatings;
• Prepare the substrate for coating using a variety of pretreatment methods using chemicals, detergents and solvents in conjunction with high-pressure steam and water;
• Perform sanding and featheredging to existing coatings and select proper grit abrasives necessary to ensure adequate substrate smoothness prior to the finish application;
• Mask and protect surfaces not to be finished by the use of masking tape, discs, fixtures, plugs and/or covers;
• Use and maintain conventional, electrostatic and high volume low pressure (HVLP) paint equipment and shall use a variety of materials such as lacquers, enamels, sealers, urethanes, waterbornes, epoxies, elastomerics and ceramic coatings;
• Shall manufacture and maintain stencils, patterns, layouts and apply national and foreign insignias, special markings and designs required by military specifications and individual activities.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Prefer experience from military aerospace community or civilian heavy structure background
• At least two (2) years of documented experience in Aerospace and/or Aircraft painting procedures and processes
• Prefer Military aircraft Paint & Insignia School/training or civilian equivalent.
• Must be a US Citizen
• Must be able to pass a National Agency background check, which could include a criminal history and credit check for access to Government facilities.
• We maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform post offer, pre‑employment substance abuse testing.

• Must be able to walk and stand on level and/or inclined surfaces for certain periods throughout the day.
• Must be able to climb stairs, ramps, ladders, and work stands.
• Must be able to crouch, crawl, grasp or handle objects, use finger dexterity, bend elbow/knee and reach above/below shoulders.
• Must be able to work in small and confined spaces.
• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds.
• May be required to see aircraft in flight, read dials/gauges, identify small objects and hand tools.
• Must be able to see imperfections, micrometer readings and other small scales.
• Must be able to communicate by voice and detect sound by ear.
• Must be able to distinguish color and judge three-dimensional depth.
• May be required to operate power vehicles, machinery,…