Engineering Technician IV – Painter

Tri-County Steel; Bedford (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) Plan with company match

12 paid holidays

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Tri-County Steel LLC in Bedford, Indiana is seeking an experienced Painter to support military coating operations. You will apply primers, topcoats, and specialty military finishes with minimal supervision in a safety-critical environment.

A Secret clearance is required, and candidates should have 3–5 years of hands-on painting experience. The role involves surface prep, coating mix/apply, and maintaining paint room equipment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on painting experience in industrial, automotive, or military contexts.
• Proficiency with HVLP spray systems in a booth environment.
• Ability to mix/apply coatings per specs and rework standards.
• Ability to read technical drawings and work instructions.

Responsibilities

• Apply primers, topcoats, and military coatings per project specs and QC requirements.
• Prepare surfaces through cleaning, sanding, masking, and priming.
• Mix and prepare coatings per manufacturer specs.
• Operate/maintain paint room equipment (HVLP sprayers, mixers, ventilation).
• Read drawings to ensure accurate execution.
• Use calipers and mil gauges to verify coating quality.
• Inspect finished surfaces for quality and address issues.
• Maintain a clean, safe work area at all times.
• Mentor junior staff to ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Support ordnance-related activities per explosive safety policies.
• Assist in basic testing, data collection, and documentation.

Skills

HVLP spray painting

Read technical drawings

Calipers & mil thickness gauges

Mentor junior staff

Teamwork in safety-critical env

Tools

HVLP spray booth

Paint room equipment

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Bedford, IN, US

10 days ago Requisition ID: 1158

**Company:**
Tri-County Steel LLC (TCS)

**Location:**
On-site at Bedford, IN

**Employment Type:**
Full-time

**Salary:**
Commensurate with experience. SCA Wage Determination applies.

**Clearance Level Required:**
Secret. US Citizenship required.

About Us:

Tri-County Steel LLC (TCS) is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business located in Bedford, Indiana. We have been a trusted defense contractor supporting our industry and government partners for over 16 years, offering a wide variety of logistics, programmatic, and engineering support services. We pride ourselves on a strong commitment to our clients and a focus on quality and reliability in everything we do. Additionally, we are dedicated to the growth and development of our employees, providing opportunities for advancement and professional growth.

Job Summary:

TCS is seeking an experienced Painter to support military coating operations at Bedford, IN. The successful candidate will apply a variety of coating systems — including primers, topcoats, and specialty military finishes — with demonstrated proficiency and minimal supervision. This is not a learn-on-the-job role; we are looking for an experienced professional who can contribute immediately and operate effectively within a safety-sensitive, compliance-driven environment. A Secret clearance is required for this position.

Essential Functions:

• Apply primers, topcoats, and specialty military coatings in accordance with project specifications, applicable standards, and quality control requirements.
• Perform surface preparation including cleaning, sanding, masking, and priming prior to coating application.
• Mix and prepare coatings per manufacturer specifications and project requirements.
• Set up, operate, adjust, and perform routine maintenance on paint room equipment including HVLP sprayers, mixers, and ventilation systems.
• Read and interpret technical drawings and work instructions to ensure accurate execution.
• Use precision measuring equipment (e.g., calipers, mil thickness gauges) to verify coating quality and compliance.
• Inspect finished surfaces for quality assurance; identify and troubleshoot application issues and perform rework as necessary.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safety-compliant work area at all times.
• Assist and mentor junior-level staff, providing hands‑on guidance to ensure adherence to quality and safety standards.
• Support ordnance‑related activities in accordance with explosive safety policies and site‑specific procedures.
• Assist in basic testing, data collection, and maintenance of documentation as required.

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 3–5 years of hands‑on experience in industrial, automotive, or military‑grade painting applications; real‑world body shop or depot‑level experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency with HVLP and other paint spraying systems in a booth environment.
• Proven ability to mix and apply coatings in accordance with manufacturer specifications and rework coating system standards.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and written work instructions.
• Familiarity with precision measuring equipment, including calipers and mil thickness gauges.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with experience maintaining paint room equipment.
• High attention to detail; neat, precise execution with consistent, verifiable results.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a high‑safety, compliance‑driven environment.
• Experience assisting or mentoring junior staff in a production or technical environment

Desired Qualifications:

• Industry‑recognized certification in industrial coatings, painting systems, or similar (not required, but preferred).
• Prior experience in ordnance, depot, or military support environments.
• Familiarity with CARC coatings and military coating system specifications.

Physical Requirements:

• Must pass a pre‑employment drug screen and participate in a random drug testing program.
• Must be able to wear full PPE including respirators.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work in paint booth environments for extended periods.

Travel:

• Comprehensive health benefits, including life, health, dental, vision, short‑term disability (STD), and long‑term disability (LTD) coverage for eligible employees and family members.
• 401(K) Plan with company match.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO).

Application Process: