Industrial Painter
We’re a precision metal fabrication and machining company specializing in laser cutting, machining, and rapid prototyping, and a premier supplier of tooling and components for advanced aerospace programs. We’re headquartered in Emmaus, PA, and our Brownsville, TX facility, DMI-Texas, LLC, is growing. If you want your work to help shape the future of flight and exploration, we want to hear from you.
About the Role
We’re building a brand-new coating line in Brownsville, and we need an experienced Industrial Painter to help launch it. You’ll apply a three-coat solvent-borne system to large aluminum panels with HVLP equipment, and you’ll own the full process: prep, mixing, spraying, film checks, and booth upkeep. You won’t just follow a process here. You’ll help build it, shaping how the booth runs and how work is scheduled from day one. This is a ground-floor opportunity for a self-starter who wants to grow with us for the long term.
Schedule & Location
Full-time, 1st shift, on-site at:
- Brownsville, TX (DMI-Texas, LLC)
What You’ll Bring
Required
- Production painting experience. 5+ years of industrial or production spray painting (metal fabrication, OEM, or similar).
- HVLP skills. Hands-on experience spraying solvent-borne coatings with HVLP equipment.
- Film-build know-how. You can use wet-film and dry-film thickness gauges, and you’re comfortable with the math for mix ratios, thinning, and film builds.
- Technical reading. You can read product data sheets, SDS, and work instructions.
- Respirator clearance. You can pass a respirator medical evaluation and fit test.
- High school diploma or GED.
Nice to Have
- Aerospace-grade paint experience and knowledge of aerospace coating requirements
- Experience with zinc-rich primers, epoxies, and polyurethanes (Carboline or similar)
- Plural-component or electrostatic spray experience
- A track record of producing uniform gloss finishes
- Forklift or overhead crane experience
What You’ll Do
- Prep. Solvent-wipe clean panels per SSPC-SP1, inspect for defects, and rack and handle 60" × 60" aluminum panels without damage.
- Mix. Mix and thin multi-component coatings to data sheets, and track pot life and induction times.
- Spray. Apply zinc primer (3–4 mils DFT), epoxy intermediate (2–3 mils), and polyurethane topcoat (1–2 mils), managing flash-off and IR cure between coats.
- Check quality. Take WFT and DFT readings, catch and fix runs, sags, orange peel, and dry spray, and log batches, readings, temperature, and humidity.
- Run the booth. Set up, clean, and maintain guns, pumps, and hoses, change filters, monitor airflow, and keep the booth clean.
- Work safely. Follow NFPA 33 spray-area rules, wear required PPE, and handle and dispose of materials per SDS and environmental rules.
- Build the line. Suggest ways to improve throughput, transfer efficiency, and first-pass quality, and help train new painters as the team grows.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
- Stand, walk, bend, kneel, and reach overhead for most of an 8–10 hour shift
- Lift up to 50 lb. alone; handle larger panels with a partner or lifting aids
- Wear a respirator, paint suit, gloves, eye protection, and safety shoes for extended periods
- Work in a ventilated spray booth with solvent vapors, noise, and temperature swings from cure equipment
- Distinguish color and gloss differences during visual inspection
Compensation & Benefits
Pay is based on your production painting experience. Our benefits include:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with 3% company match
- Profit sharing
- Paid time off
- Team-building outings twice a year
- Your birthday off, paid
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) 3% Match
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person