Marine Surface Prep & Coatings Technician

West Hill Staffing Group; Pascagoula (MS); On-site; USD 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Per diem

Job summary

West Hill Staffing Group in Pascagoula, MS is seeking a Marine Surface Prep & Coatings Technician for a 12-month, full-time contract. Immediate start on a major shipbuilding project with per diem for travelers.

You will perform abrasive blasting, metal prep, and marine coating application using airless spray systems, ensuring thickness specs and quality while upholding shipyard safety protocols. Suitable candidates have 3+ years of relevant experience and a strong safety mindset.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of marine/heavy industrial painting or blasting experience.
• Ability to read technical work instructions and specifications.
• Physical readiness for shipyard work and extended shifts.
• Comfort with confined spaces and PPE.

Responsibilities

• Perform abrasive blasting with approved equipment and techniques.
• Prepare metal via sanding, grinding, masking, and cleaning for adhesion.
• Apply marine coatings using spray systems to defined quality and thickness specs.
• Verify blast profiles and coating coverage against project requirements.
• Diagnose and correct surface defects to meet shipyard standards.
• Set up, operate, and maintain blasting and painting gear and PPE.
• Work safely in confined spaces, heights, and outdoors while following safety protocols.

Skills

Painter/Blaster experience

Abrasive blasting

Marine coatings

Surface prep

Airless spray

Project documentation

Tools

Airless spray equipment

Industrial blasting equipment

Job description

Marine Surface Prep & Coatings Technician — Pascagoula, MSPay & Terms: $34.99/hr + $147.04/day per diem (for qualified travelers) | 12-month contract | Full-time | Immediate startA day in this roleSunrise on the Gulf Coast, and you’re stepping onto the deck of a major shipbuilding project. You kit up, inspect your blasting setup, and verify your spray equipment. By mid-morning, you’ve profiled steel to spec, masked intricate edges, and laid down a flawless marine coating with airless spray—hitting the exact mil thickness the project calls for. After lunch, you correct a surface imperfection, document your coating readings, and transition to the next module, keeping pace with production schedules while upholding shipyard safety protocols. You wrap with equipment care so everything’s mission-ready for tomorrow.What you’ll handleExecute abrasive blasting with approved industrial equipment and techniquesPrepare metal via sanding, grinding, masking, and cleaning to ensure optimal adhesionApply marine and industrial coatings using advanced spray systems to defined quality and thickness specsVerify blast profiles and coating coverage against project requirementsDiagnose and correct surface defects to meet stringent shipyard standardsSet up, operate, and maintain blasting and painting gear, including air hoses and spray equipmentKeep tools and work areas in top condition; follow safety procedures and meet production timelinesWork safely in confined spaces, at heights, and outdoors in varying weather while wearing required PPEWhat you bring3+ years of recent Painter/Blaster experience in marine or heavy industrial environmentsMastery of abrasive blasting, marine coatings, surface prep, and airless spray applicationAbility to read and follow technical work instructions and specificationsSkill measuring coating thickness and repairing defectsPhysical readiness for shipyard work: lifting, climbing, and extended shiftsBonus pointsBackground in industrial painting within confined spacesComfort operating power tools and rust machinesExperience checking coating thickness with a mil gaugeWhy you’ll love itHighly competitive pay with generous traveler per diemLong-term, full-time contract with clear paths for advancementHands-on impact on large-scale, high-profile marine and shipbuilding programsSupportive, safety-focused culture with room to expand your technical toolkitApply nowBring your shipyard experience to a leading Pascagoula team shaping the future of maritime engineering. Send your updated resume and confirm your qualifications for immediate consideration.Pre-employment physical exam, hair follicle drug screen, background check, and shipyard credentialing required.