Aircraft Painter

Air Force Civilian Service; Edwards (CA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Air Force Civilian Service is seeking a full-time Aircraft Painter at Edwards AFB, CA. The role covers surface preparation, blending and matching paints, and applying coatings with brushes, rollers, and spray equipment to meet strict aerospace standards.

Applicants must have 12 months of verifiable painting experience, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to obtain a Secret security clearance. Travel up to 25% may be required; telework is not available.

Qualifications

• Have at least 12 months of verifiable painting experience.
• Possess and maintain valid driver’s license.
• Able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance once hired.
• Able to work at heights and in confined spaces.
• Able to wear all required Personal Protective Equipment including respirators.
• Able to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Prepares various aircraft and support equipment surfaces for proper coatings.
• Mixes, thins blends, matches, tints and tones coating materials.
• Applies coating materials using brushes, rollers, spray guns and other means of application.
• Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a safe and clean environment.
• Uses and maintains tools of the trade.

Skills

Painting experience

Driver's license

Security clearance

Height work

PPE & respirators

Flexible hours

Job description

About the Air Force Test Center: The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) is where tomorrow’s Air Force is tested! Long considered the “Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe”, AFTC is truly where Air Force superiority begins. Home to many Aerospace establishments and records, AFTC remains the state-of-the-art leader in Aerospace testing, and provides the warfighter with cutting-edge technology. AFTC does not only celebrate its past, but we continue to lead from the front. Join our team today and make Aerospace history!

General Opening Statements

Your next opportunity is here: The Air Force Civilian Service is looking for your talents and skills to work alongside our uniformed Airmen in the United States Air Force.

About the Role

The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Aircraft Painter (WG-4102-08T09) to work at the 412th Test Wing, 412th Maintenance Group, 412th Maintenance Squadron, Fabrication Flight / Corrosion Section (MXMFS) at Edwards AFB. To perform the full range of painting, including surface preparation, blending and matching paints, and coating of various surfaces requiring fine finishes and decorative effects.

THIS JOB CAN CLOSE AT ANY TIME!

Job Details

• Location: Edwards, CA (Edwards Air Force Base)
• Typical 2026 salary range: $84,023 - $105,018 per year (includes locality)
• Telework Information: Position not eligible for telework
• Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible
• Direct Hire Authority: NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.

Must Have Requirements or May Not Be Considered

• Have at least 12 months of verifiable painting experience.
• Possess and maintain valid driver’s license.
• Able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance once hired.
• Able to work at heights and in confined spaces.
• Able to wear all required Personal Protective Equipment including respirators.
• Able to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Desired Skills

• Experience painting aircraft and support equipment desired.
• Experience making and applying stencils desired.
• Experience working with or under military supervision desired.

Major Duties

• Prepares various aircraft and support equipment surfaces for proper coatings.
• Mixes, thins blends, matches, tints and tones coating materials.
• Applies coating materials using brushes, rollers, spray guns and other means of application.
• Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a safe and clean environment.
• Uses and maintains tools of the trade.

Qualifications/Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship (Required)
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD STATEMENT: (Required) – For All Positions Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. (NOTE: Typically, the 1-year probationary period is for Competitive Jobs, and 2-year trail period is for Excepted Jobs.)
• Drug Testing: This is a designated Drug Testing Position.
• Security Clearance: (Required) Must be able to obtain and maintain a “Secret” security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. (SCI))
• Physical: Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical.
• Driver’s License: Must possess a current and valid driver’s license.

Top 5-6 job related KSAs

• Knowledge of accepted surface preparation and coating methods and techniques including special finishing techniques; and paints and thinning additives for use on various aircraft and support equipment.
• Knowledge of industrial safety regulations, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of current Federal, state, local, and Air Force regulations pertaining to hazardous waste management.
• Skill in reading and applying directions that relate to the mixture, use, and application of various kinds of coating materials, solvents, and precoating agents; and tinting, toning, matching, and blending coating materials.
• Skill in determining the methods, techniques, devices, and materials best suited to obtain the surface condition and finish required for aircraft and support equipment.
• Ability to use and maintain tools and equipment of the trade.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Air Force Civilian Service Employment Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 11 Federal Holidays each year 13 sick leave days earned per year (accumulative)
• Paid Vacation Time: 13-26 days per year based on length of employment
• Health Insurance: No waiting period to qualify for you and your family
• Retirement: Immediate coverage by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Basic Benefits Plan Social Security: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), like a 401(k) (Automatically receive 1% agency contributions and up to 5% matching) Health & Wellness: Various Medical Flexible Spending Account Federal Long Term Care Insurance, and Life & Disability Insurance Work/Life Balance: Family and Medical Leave Act Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Flexible Work Arrangements (dependent on position) Career Development: Tuition Assistance & Professional Development opportunities Career enhancement and promotion opportunities

To learn more about our benefits, please check out the AFTC Benefits Trifold at https://simplebooklet.com/260902aftcbenefitstrifold

Federal Resume Tips

• Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length.
• Learn more about the new resume requirements at: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include https://afciviliancareers.com/PDF/FederalResumeWriting.pdf
• Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/
• Please visit the Air Force Test Center job board to view other career opportunities: https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/

AFTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.