Manufacturing Engineer - Paint & Coatings Planning

Saronic; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and Vision insurance

Job summary

Saronic Technologies is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer - Paint & Coatings Planning to define the coatings program for vessel builds and to grow in-house SSPC-QP1 and NACE expertise while coordinating with shipyard teams.

You will establish plans, qualification standards for contractors, and training roadmaps to ensure coatings are applied correctly and documented for regulatory review.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in marine or industrial coatings (applicator, inspector, coatings/corrosion engineer) or equivalent planning experience.
• Understanding of coating systems and surface prep standards (SSPC-SP grades, NACE standards) and application methods.
• Working knowledge of SSPC-QP1 and SSPC-QP3 contractor certification standards.
• Understanding of what it takes for an individual to become SSPC-QP1 or NACE coatings inspector certified.
• Strong written communication skills to produce clear coatings specifications and audit documentation.

Responsibilities

• Coatings Planning: Develop the overall paint and coatings plan for each vessel program, defining coating systems, surface preparation, and application methods by compartment and structure type.
• Sequence coating work against fabrication, outfitting, and erection so blasting and painting happen at the correct stage.
• Define environmental control requirements and surface prep standards (SSPC-SP grades, NACE standards), and establish inspection hold points and acceptance criteria.
• Outsourced Contractor Qualification: Establish and maintain standards for qualifying outsourced coatings contractors, requiring SSPC-QP1 certification for field application and SSPC-QP3 for shop/fabrication-coating application.
• Build the evaluation, audit, and onboarding process for the approved vendor base.
• Manage the qualification lifecycle, including renewals, re-audits, and corrective action.
• Internal Capability Development: Define and build the path to develop internal coatings capability, including the training and certification roadmap for personnel to achieve SSPC-QP1 and NACE coatings inspector credentials.
• Identify internal candidates and structure on-the-job training and mentorship.
• Coordinate external training and exam requirements toward a long-term internally qualified workforce.
• Documentation & Continuous Improvement: Maintain documentation, qualification records, and audit trail for classification/regulatory review.
• Refine the coatings plan and qualification program based on floor performance and inspection results.
• Identify and resolve sequencing conflicts between coatings work and other trades.

Skills

Marine coatings

Industrial coatings

Coatings inspection

Contractor certification standards

Technical writing

Education

Coatings technology degree

Materials engineering

Corrosion engineering

Job description

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

Job Overview

The Manufacturing Engineer - Paint & Coatings Planning defines the paint and coatings plan for each vessel program and builds the shipyard's long-term coatings capability through qualified outside labor and a developed internal workforce. This role determines what gets coated, when, with what systems, and in what sequence relative to fabrication and outfitting.

Coatings protect the long-term integrity of every hull the yard builds, and a coatings failure is often invisible until the ship is in service and far more expensive to fix than to prevent. This role establishes qualification standards (SSPC-QP1, SSPC-QP3) for outsourced painting contractors and builds the path to bring SSPC-QP1 and NACE-certified coatings expertise in-house.

This role works closely with structural, piping, electrical, and HVAC planning teams, quality assurance, and outside coatings contractors to build a credible, auditable coatings program from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Coatings Planning

  Develop the overall paint and coatings plan for each vessel program, defining coating systems, surface preparation, and application methods by compartment and structure type.

  Sequence coating work against fabrication, outfitting, and erection so blasting and painting happen at the correct stage.

  Define environmental control requirements and surface prep standards (SSPC-SP grades, NACE standards), and establish inspection hold points and acceptance criteria.

• Outsourced Contractor Qualification

  Establish and maintain standards for qualifying outsourced coatings contractors, requiring SSPC-QP1 certification for field application and SSPC-QP3 for shop/fabrication-coating application.

  Build the evaluation, audit, and onboarding process for the approved vendor base.

  Manage the qualification lifecycle, including renewals, re‑audits, and corrective action.

• Internal Capability Development

  Define and build the path to develop internal coatings capability, including the training and certification roadmap for personnel to achieve SSPC-QP1 and NACE coatings inspector credentials.

  Identify internal candidates and structure on-the-job training and mentorship.

  Coordinate external training and exam requirements toward a long‑term internally qualified workforce.

• Documentation & Continuous Improvement

  Maintain documentation, qualification records, and audit trail for classification/regulatory review.

  Refine the coatings plan and qualification program based on floor performance and inspection results.

  Identify and resolve sequencing conflicts between coatings work and other trades.

What Success Looks Like

• Coating systems are applied at the correct build stage without rework from later welding or fit‑up.
• Outsourced contractors consistently met SSPC-QP1/QP3 qualification standards.
• Internal coatings capability grows steadily toward SSPQ-QP1 and NACE certification.
• Coating failures and corrosion issues are rare and caught early through inspection.
• Coatings documentation and records support classification and regulatory review without gaps.

Qualifications

Hands‑on experience in marine or industrial coatings (applicator, inspector, coatings/corrosion engineer) or equivalent planning experience built on that trade background.

Understanding of coating systems and surface prep standards (SSPC-SP grades, NACE standards) and application methods.

Working knowledge of SSPC-QP1 and SSPC-QP3 contractor certification standards.

Understanding of what it takes for an individual to become SSPC-QP1 or NACE coatings inspector certified.

Strong written communication skills to produce clear coatings specifications and audit documentation.

Preferred

• Experience in new construction shipbuilding; industrial, marine repair, or heavy fabrication coatings experience also considered.
• NACE or SSPC certification, or active pursuit of one.
• Experience building contractor qualification, audit, and vendor management processes.
• Familiarity with ABS, USCG, or NAVSEA coatings requirements and documentation expectations.
• Technical/trade school, associate's, or bachelor's degree in coatings technology, materials/corrosion engineering, or a related field.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Occasional standing and walking within the office
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment
• Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports
• Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies
• Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
• Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
• Dental and Vision Insura