Industrial Painting Technician - Aerospace & Defense

Gooch & Housego PLC; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Gooch & Housego PLC in Tampa, FL is seeking an experienced Industrial Painting Technician to join our manufacturing team responsible for preparing, coating, and inspecting precision components used in aerospace and defense applications.

The role requires applying primers and specialized coatings to diverse substrates, reading engineering drawings, using DFT gauges, and ensuring compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, and customer specs.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in industrial liquid coating or aerospace painting.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and finish callouts.
• Experience with coating materials and mix ratios.
• Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, MIL-SPEC preferred.
• Must pass safety and PPE requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare components via masking, blasting, sanding, cleaning, and degreasing.
• Apply primers and coatings to multiple substrates (glass, aluminum, titanium, etc.).
• Read drawings, measure thickness using DFT gauges, and inspect for defects.
• Maintain paint booth and documentation in compliance with AS9100/ISO 9001.

Skills

Surface preparation

Coating application

Quality inspection

Engineering drawings

DFT gauging

Aerospace coating standards

Regulatory compliance

Tools

DFT gauges

Spray equipment

Surface prep equipment

Job description

Description

Industrial Painting Technician – Aerospace & Defense

About Us

Gooch & Housego (G&H) is a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced photonic technologies, components, and systems. With operations across the U.S. and internationally, we serve customers in the Aerospace & Defense, Industrial, Life Sciences, and Scientific Research markets. Our teams combine precision engineering, advanced manufacturing, and technical expertise to deliver high-quality solutions for some of the world’s most demanding applications.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Industrial Painting Technician to join our manufacturing team. In this hands‑on role, you will prepare, coat, and inspect precision components used in aerospace and defense applications while working to demanding quality and technical specifications. You will work with a variety of specialized coatings and substrates and play an important role in ensuring finished components meet engineering, customer, and regulatory requirements.

What You’ll Do

Surface Preparation & Coating

• Prepare components through masking, media blasting, sanding, cleaning, degreasing, and other approved surface preparation methods.
• Apply primers, paints, and specialized coatings to glass, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, composites, and other precision components.
• Follow applicable engineering requirements, technical data sheets, MIL-SPEC, ASTM, and customer specifications.

Mixing & Application

• Accurately mix epoxies, polyurethanes, resins, and other specialized coating materials.
• Control mix and catalyst ratios, viscosity, induction time, pot life, and other critical process parameters.
• Operate spray equipment and apply coatings using appropriate techniques to achieve required coverage, thickness, and finish.

Quality & Inspection

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, paint schematics, masking dimensions, finish callouts, and technical specifications.
• Measure coating thickness using dry film thickness (DFT) gauges and other applicable inspection equipment.
• Inspect finished components for runs, orange peel, blushing, contamination, FOD, and other coating defects or nonconformities.

Process & Documentation

• Maintain paint booth equipment and controlled work areas in accordance with safety, quality, FOD, and 6S requirements.
• Complete production records, batch documentation, traceability records, and material usage documentation accurately.
• Follow established quality and manufacturing processes in support of AS9100, ISO 9001, and applicable special-process requirements.

Skills & Experience

• 3+ years of experience in industrial liquid coating, aerospace painting, precision spray finishing, automotive refinishing, or a similar technical coating environment.
• Experience with surface preparation and industrial spray coating equipment and techniques.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, masking requirements, finish callouts, and technical specifications.
• Working knowledge of coating preparation, mix ratios, viscosity, induction time, pot life, and application requirements.
• Basic industrial math skills, including calculating ratios, volumes, and coating thickness requirements.
• Experience using DFT gauges or other coating inspection equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to consistently follow documented processes and specifications.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated precision manufacturing environment preferred.
• Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP special processes, MIL-SPEC, ASTM, and ISO 9001 requirements preferred.
• AMPP/NACE or other relevant coatings certification preferred.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to wear required PPE and successfully complete any required medical evaluation and fit testing for respirator use. The role requires standing for extended periods; bending, crouching, reaching, and performing repetitive tasks; working from approved elevated platforms when required; and lifting or moving materials and tooling weighing up to 50 pounds.

Access Control Requirement

This position involves access to technology, technical data, or materials subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations, including ITAR and/or EAR. Applicants must meet applicable U.S. Person requirements as defined by U.S. export control regulations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Gooch & Housego is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.