NIAR Aerospace Painter - Composites

Department

NIAR Composites

Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Full Time

Commensurate with experience

Typically Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Evenings and weekends may be necessary dependent upon business needs.

This position requires access to EAR or ITAR controlled technologies. Applicants are required to be eligible for employment under U.S. export control laws and must meet the requirement of being a "U.S. Person".

Responsible for the spray application of aerospace paints on a variety of substrates including the setup and application of primers and finish coat. Supporting responsibilities include masking, racking, turning, and sanding operations as well as equipment maintenance and paint mixing operations. Perform aerospace coating performance testing and flammability testing as per FAA.

Under direct supervision, trains and coordinates students in the performance of daily laboratory activities covering a variety of technical support services and project implementation tasks. Reviews, tests, repairs, maintains and modifies research and facilities equipment and systems.

Assists in management, maintenance and monitoring of facilities, equipment, and systems as required to support building operation and daily research activities, ensuring adherence to process standards and established practice. May recommend updates, as appropriate. Under general supervision, trains and advises staff, contractors and students in experimental design, product and material selection, research equipment capacity and utilization, and tool operation and processes.

Reviews, establishes and maintains a broad knowledge of laboratory procedures, state‑of‑the‑art research techniques, technology, equipment and systems related research. May fabricate prototypes and other devices related to research using various tools (physical and/or digital); modifies existing equipment and devices to meet changing research requirements.

• Select and apply aerospace paint according to documents and specifications.
• Dispose of hazardous waste in accordance with environmental laws and company regulations. Observe all safety, environmental and general housekeeping rules and policies.
• Document all work accomplished (a.k.a. sign‑off) in a clear, concise and accurate manner.
• Prepare surfaces using abrasives, solvents, brushes or washing tanks to apply paint.
• Knowledge of painting techniques and tools.
• Prepare aircraft surfaces for paint removal by cleaning, masking, applying stripper and removing stripper.
• Read ASTM, ISO, SAE etc. standards to perform aerospace coating performance testing.
• Flammability testing as per FAA.
• Understand conventional high‑volume/low‑pressure (HVLP) paint‑spray equipment in pressure, gravity and siphon‑fed variants.
• Have aircraft or auto body painting experience.
• Perform painting prep including sanding, masking, surface prep, primer and topcoat.
• 1‑3 years minimum related experience or equivalent technical certificate.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three (3) years of experience in a research laboratory or related field. Every 30 hours of college coursework can be substituted for one (1) year of experience.

• Experience with spray applications of pretreatment, primer coats, final topcoat finishes as per specification.
• Must be able to wear a respirator or air‑breathing apparatus and complete a basic painter skill test.
• Ability to initiate work as a self‑starter and to prioritize with time‑management skills.
• Demonstrated ability with attention to detail and analytical aptitude.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• 1‑3 years of proven experience as a painter, preferably in the aerospace industry.
• Knowledge of various coating types, application techniques and surface preparation methods.
• Aerospace coating performance testing.
• Flammability testing.
• Three (3) years minimum related experience or equivalent technical certificate.

Ability to ascend and descend ladders and/or stairs. Ability to remain in a stationary position. Ability to move, transport, and/or deliver items, supplies, or equipment. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information. Ability to use tools, equipment, and technology necessary to do the job, including dexterity in instrument manipulation.