Aircraft Painter

Daher; Sandpoint (ID); On-site; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Short- and long-term disability

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Daher in Sandpoint, Idaho, seeks an experienced Aircraft Painter to prepare, prime, paint, and inspect aircraft structures and components, ensuring cosmetic quality and corrosion protection in line with engineering specs and FAA requirements.

You will work independently and with teams to support schedules and continuous improvement, handling primers, coatings, and markings while maintaining safety and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• 3+ years of industrial painting experience.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and instructions.
• Experience operating spray equipment and doing paint mixing calculations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare aircraft, components, and assemblies for paint using cleaning, sanding, masking, and surface prep.
• Mix primers, reducers, and topcoat materials per specs and data sheets.
• Apply primers, topcoats, clear coats, and protective finishes with approved spray equipment.
• Inspect painted surfaces for defects like runs, sags, fish eyes, orange peel.
• Perform touch-up, rework, polishing, and refinishing to meet quality standards.
• Apply aircraft markings, decals, and customer-specific paint schemes.
• Document materials used, work performed, and production status.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Title

Aircraft Painter

Who are we?

As an aircraft manufacturer, industrialist, industrial service provider and logistician, Daher currently has approximately 14,500 employees and achieved a revenue of 1.9 billion euros in 2025. With its family ownership, Daher has been focused on innovation since its creation in 1863. With locations in 15 countries across Europe, North America and Asia, Daher designs and develops value-added solutions for its aeronautical and industrial customers and partners

Daher’s Sandpoint, Idaho site is a key U.S. aircraft manufacturing and support location specializing in the hand built production of the Kodiak aircraft family. The facility supports final assembly, painting, inspection, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities for the Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900, serving commercial, multi mission, and public service customers worldwide. In addition to manufacturing, the site provides comprehensive aircraft maintenance, technical support, and quality oversight, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations and customer requirements, while continuing to expand production capabilities and reinforcing its role as a center of excellence for rugged, mission ready turboprop aircraft within Daher’s global network.

Job Summary

The Aircraft Painter is responsible for preparing, priming, painting, refinishing, and inspecting aircraft structures, components, and completed aircraft in accordance with engineering specifications, manufacturer requirements, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. This position plays a critical role in protecting aircraft surfaces from corrosion while delivering high-quality cosmetic finishes that meet aerospace industry standards. The Aircraft Painter works independently and collaboratively to support production schedules, quality objectives, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Primary Role and Responsibilities:

• Prepare aircraft, aircraft components, and assemblies for paint application through cleaning, sanding, scuffing, stripping, masking, and surface preparation.
• Mix primers, catalysts, reducers, sealants, and topcoat materials in accordance with manufacturer specifications and technical data sheets.
• Apply primers, topcoats, clear coats, specialty coatings, and protective finishes using approved spray equipment and techniques.
• Inspect painted surfaces for defects, including runs, sags, fish eyes, orange peel, contamination, and inconsistent coverage.
• Perform touch-up, rework, polishing, and refinishing activities as necessary to achieve quality requirements.
• Apply aircraft striping, registration markings, decals, placards, and customer-specific paint schemes.
• Verify coating thickness, finish quality, and compliance with engineering specifications and work instructions.
• Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, work orders, travelers, and paint specifications.
• Perform corrosion prevention and treatment activities as required.
• Maintain paint booths, spray equipment, respirators, and related tools in a clean and serviceable condition.
• Accurately document materials used, work completed, inspections performed, and production status.
• Follow all FAA, OSHA, EPA, environmental, safety, and quality requirements.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, Planning, and Production teams to meet customer and production objectives.

What you need to have:

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of industrial painting experience.
• Knowledge of paint preparation, surface treatment, masking, and coating application techniques.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience operating spray equipment and performing paint mixing calculations.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
• Ability to work safely with hazardous materials, chemicals, and respiratory protection equipment.
• Basic computer skills for documentation and production tracking.
• Ability to meet physical demands associated with manufacturing and aircraft painting environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) or more years of aircraft painting or like experience.
• Experience with aerospace polyurethane, epoxy, and specialty coating systems.
• Knowledge of FAA regulations, aerospace manufacturing standards, and corrosion control practices.
• Previous experience working in aircraft manufacturing, MRO, defense, or aerospace environment.
• Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement experience.
• Experience working with composite materials and structures.
• Knowledge and use of static guns.

Information related to the position:

• The compensation range is $28.00 to $36.00 per hour.
• The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Daher considers a number of factors when determining salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate’s experience, skills, and current market conditions.
• At Daher, your total rewards package is more than just your base salary as we offer a full benefit package including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Life insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays and more.

All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. By completing an application with Daher, you are seeking to join a team of hardworking professionals dedicated to consistently delivering outstanding service to our customers and contributing to the financial success of the organization, its clients, and its employees. Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should contact an HR representative.

Daher complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law.