Industrial Painter

Vermeer Corporation; Pella (IA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Vermeer is seeking a Painter I to apply primers and finish coats on iron components and machines at our facilities. You will prepare surfaces, mix coatings, and operate paint-line equipment while upholding safety standards and quality expectations.

Ideal candidates have entry-level painting experience or a formal coatings program, and can learn our Vermeer Paint Training Program to ensure consistent finishes across multiple parts and assemblies.

Qualifications

• Entry-level painting experience preferred; completion of a formal painting or coatings program helps.
• Must be able to learn and complete Vermeer Paint Training Program.
• Ability to read and document coating quality using WFT/DFT gauges.

Responsibilities

• Apply primer and topcoat to treated metal parts per Vermeer quality standards.
• Prepare surfaces by cleaning, degreasing, scuffing, and masking per SOP.
• Operate and maintain paint-line equipment; perform PM/TPM and safe changeovers.
• Mix coatings to specification; monitor viscosity and pot life.
• Measure coating quality with WFT/DFT gauges and document results.
• Inspect parts for defects; communicate issues to support cross-shift teams.
• Perform physical tasks and follow EHS/PPE procedures.

Skills

Painting experience

HVLP spray

Electrostatic systems

WFT/DFT measurement

Surface preparation

Masking/plugging

Education

Formal painting/coatings program

Tools

HVLP spray equipment

Electrostatic spray equipment

Masking tools

Job description

Who We Are Vermeer equips customers doing important work around the world. We are global, driven by innovation and growing. The equipment we make manages natural resources, connects people and feeds and fuels communities. We live out a caring culture, we demonstrate agility, we keep a focus on customers and are stewards of our resources. These beliefs drive our culture, determine how we treat others and steer our business.

Hourly Wage Range $25.36 - $28.02

Job Summary

Are you detail-oriented and driven to craft a high-quality product? As a Painter I at Vermeer, you’ll help transform raw iron into Vermeer yellow iron by applying primer, pre-finish, and finish coats to machines and manufactured parts. Join a team dedicated to quality, safety, and continuous improvement as you contribute to a legacy that drives our world forward.

What You’ll Do

1. Apply primer and topcoat to treated metal parts, adjusting paints to meet Vermeer’s quality standards.
2. Prepare surfaces for painting by cleaning, degreasing, mechanical scuffing, and precise masking/plugging per print and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
3. Operate and maintain paint-line equipment, including booths, spray guns, pumps, regulators, and high-pressure washers; perform routine preventive maintenance (PM/Total Preventative Maintenance [TPM]) and safe changeovers.
4. Mix and adjust coatings to specification by following ratios by weight/volume, checking viscosity (e.g., Zahn cup), accounting for temperature/humidity, and managing pot life.
5. Measure and document coating quality using Wet Film Thickness (WFT) and Dry Film Thickness (DFT) gauges (magnetic/eddy current), apply visual standards, repair defects, and complete required quality records as applicable.
6. Inspect parts throughout the painting process, repair paint defects, and communicate issues quickly to support cross-shift and cell partners.
7. Perform tasks that require frequent standing, reaching, bending, squatting, and lifting; work in confined spaces as needed while following all Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) procedures.

What We’re Looking For:

• Entry-level painting experience, completion of a formal painting or coatings program (technical school, apprenticeship, or equivalent) preferred.
• Ability to successfully complete Vermeer Paint Training Program.
• Ability to learn and perform hands-on spray application using High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) and/or electrostatic systems; set up and tune spray guns (nozzle/needle, fan, flow, atomization), and troubleshoot common defects such as runs, sags, and orange peel.
• Readiness to measure and document coating quality using WFT and DFT gauges (e.g., magnetic/eddy current), apply visual standards, repair defects, and complete required records.
• Strong habits in surface preparation, including cleaning/degreasing, mechanical scuffing, and precise masking/plugging per print and SOP to ensure adhesion and edge quality.
• Ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting, reaching, bending, and working in confined spaces while maintaining safety and quality standards.

Travel:

No travel is expected for this position.

Essential Functions

Standing: Continuously; Sitting: Occasionally; Walking: Frequently; Hand Coordination: At least average/bilateral; Twisting: Occasionally (up to 2 minutes in position); Bending - Trunk: Occasionally (up to 2 minutes in position); Bending - Neck: Frequently (Up to 25 degrees flex and 45 degrees extension for up to 2 minutes in position); Elevated Work/Reach: Frequently (up to 2 minutes in position); Squatting/Kneeling: Occasionally (up to 2 minutes in position); Climbing: Occasionally; Pulling: Rarely (up to 70 lbs) Occasionally (up to 50 lbs) Frequently (up to 20 lbs) Continuously (up to 10 lbs); Pushing: Rarely (up to 70 lbs) Occasionally (up to 50 lbs) Frequently (up to 20 lbs) Continuously (up to 10 lbs); RH Grip: Rarely (up to 70 lbs) Occasionally (up to 50 lbs) Frequently (up to 20 lbs) Continuously (up to 10 lbs); LH Grip: Rarely (up to 70 lbs) Occasionally (up to 50 lbs) Frequently (up to 20 lbs) Continuously (up to 10 lbs); RH Pinch: Rarely (up to 15 lbs) Occasionally (up to 10 lbs) Frequently (up to 5 lbs) Continuously (up to 2 lbs); LH Pinch: Rarely (up to 15 lbs) Occasionally (up to 10 lbs) Frequently (up to 5 lbs) Continuously (up to 2 lbs); Floor to Waist Lift: Rarely (up to 50 lbs) Occasionally (up to 20 lbs); Horizontal Lift: (up to 50 lbs) Occasionally (up to 20 lbs) Frequently (up to 10 lbs) Continuously (up to 5 lbs); Waist to Crown Lift: Rarely (up to 40 lbs) Frequently (up to 10 lbs); Shoulder to Overhead Lift: Rarely (up to 20 lbs) Frequently (up to 10 lbs).

Work Location

ONSITE: A team member’s day-to-day work is best done on a Vermeer campus. If work content can be occasionally completed at an offsite location, discuss potential arrangements with your manager.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Vermeer Corporation, we believe in the value of your unique identity, background, and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other status protected by the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation due to a disability at any stage of the employment application process should contact Team Member Solutions at [phone] or at [e-mail].