Paint Development Engineer

Norton Motorcycles; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading British motorcycle manufacturer is looking for a Paint Development Engineer to provide technical leadership in paint development. The role involves ensuring world-class paint finishes, developing new colours, and troubleshooting application issues. Ideal candidates will have a technical background in paint processing, strong collaboration skills, and commercial awareness. The position offers a competitive salary, generous holiday, private medical insurance, and opportunities for personal development within a dynamic team environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary package

33 days holiday

Generous pension scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Life insurance (4x salary)

Employee Assistance Programme

Ideas for Excellence scheme

Twice-yearly employee events

On-site free parking and electric charge points

Qualifications

• Proven experience in paint processes within an automotive environment.
• Strong background in manufacturing and supplier management.
• Ability to assess the cost impact of paint techniques and standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide design feedback to ensure paintability of new products.
• Lead development and testing of new colours and finishes.
• Troubleshoot paint application issues and provide expertise in repair.

Skills

Technical expertise in paint technologies

Cross-functional collaboration

Commercial awareness

Negotiation skills

Education

Technical or Engineering qualification in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SAP

Job description

We’re not just another bike brand - we're an iconic, British motorcycle brand with over 120 years of history behind us. Our new state-of-the-art facilities in Solihull, West Midlands are home to a tight-knit, but ever-expanding team that's passionate about delivering exquisite riding experiences to our customers.

Under new ownership and proud to be part of the TVS Motor family, we're entering a new era of global success. And we want you to be a part of it!

At Norton, we value respect, trust, and responsibility. We trust our employees to execute their roles exceptionally and professionally, and we value personal development, teaching, and learning. When you join our team, you'll have the opportunity to grow and learn alongside some of the most talented and dedicated people in the business.

So if you're passionate about motorcycles and looking to join a team that's shaping the future of this legendary brand, we'd love to hear from you!

The Role

The Paint Development Engineer will serve as Norton’s in-house paint expert, providing technical leadership across paint development, supplier performance, new product design support, and quality improvement initiatives. This role requires deep technical expertise in paint technologies and strong cross-functional collaboration to ensure world-class paint finishes that meet both aesthetic and durability expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide early-stage design feedback to Engineering teams to ensure paintability of new products
• Lead development, testing, and approval of new colours and finishes
• Support aesthetic standard creation, implementation, and deployment across the supply chain
• Apply in-depth knowledge of liquid painting, powder coating, pre-treatment, electro-deposition, and paint application on ABS, aluminium, steel, and carbon fibre components
• Troubleshoot paint application issues, including electrocoating and powder application defects
• Provide hands‑on expertise in paint repair for ABS, carbon fibre, and aluminium components
• Prepare specifications for new equipment, fixtures, jigs, and tooling
• Lead process and facility re‑engineering projects to meet QCD (Quality, Cost, Delivery) targets
• Drive paint‑related cost‑saving initiatives and continuous improvement projects
• Develop and maintain Norton’s paint supply chain, including UK‑based procurement through SAP
• Lead supplier development activities, improving capabilities and resolving paint quality issues
• Set, implement, and police aesthetic paint standards across suppliers and internal operations
• Implement TS16949 methodologies such as PFD, PFMEA, QCPC, FPDR, and TPDR

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in paint processes - ideally from a paint plant, automotive environment, or as a Paint Supplier Development Engineer
• Technical or Engineering qualification, ideally in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering
• Strong background in manufacturing and working with supply bases
• Commercial awareness, with the ability to assess the cost impact of paint techniques, standards, and bespoke finishes
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills

Preferred Experience

• Automotive industry background (Tier 2 paint suppliers desirable)
• Experience with bespoke or custom paintwork solutions for customers
• Experience setting and maintaining paint supply chains and aesthetic standards

Rewards of working for Norton:

We like to take care of our Nortoneers and we think we offer some pretty decent rewards. Here's what you'll get when you join the team:

💰 Competitive salary package that recognises your skills and experience

🌴A whopping 33 days of holiday (inc. Bank Hols) to relax and recharge

👴 Generous pension scheme that sets you up for the future, with access to personalised advice.

🚑 Private Medical Insurance and a Cash Back Programme to keep you feeling your best

💸 Life insurance (4x salary) because we've got your back no matter what

🍌FREE fruit, got to have your five-a-day!

🩺WeCare Employee Assistance Programme, which includes access to online GP services, dietary advice, mental health support, bereavement counselling, and a fitness programme

🚀 Experience the thrill of an entrepreneurial environment within a larger, well‑funded company with ambitious long‑term goals.

💡 Elevate your career with our Ideas for Excellence scheme, where every brilliant idea is not just valued, but also rewarded!

🌍 A diverse and international team that brings together different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

🎉 Join the fun with our twice‑yearly employee events, payday socials, and loads of exciting activities in between!

🚴♂️Want to go green? You can enjoy free electric bicycle hire

🚗 Plus, no need to stress about finding a parking spot - we've got on‑site free parking covered and FREE electric charge points.

We know how important it is to take care of our team, and we're committed to continually improving our reward offering in line with the business growth plan.

Join us and see for yourself!

PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT ACCEPT AGENCY APPLICATIONS