Paint Project Engineer

K; Georgetown (KY); On-site; USD 104,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

K Georgetown, KY facility is seeking a qualified Paint Materials Engineer to support automotive paint production engineering and new model initiatives. Responsibilities include leading color/material introductions, conducting paint trials, and evaluating material performance in a high‑volume manufacturing setting.

The ideal candidate has hands‑on experience with automotive paint processes, color evaluation, and related materials, plus strong problem‑solving and project coordination skills.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant engineering or manufacturing experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent relevant work experience.
• At least 1 year of experience evaluating color and appearance of painted surfaces.
• Experience with automotive paint, coatings, paint materials, or related manufacturing processes.
• Strong problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis skills.
• Experience coordinating projects across multiple departments, suppliers, or external groups.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience creating and presenting technical reports to management.

Responsibilities

• Lead new paint color and material introductions from initial evaluation through production approval.
• Plan and support paint and material trials, including online production testing.
• Evaluate paint color, appearance, quality, and material performance.
• Establish process controls and operating parameters for new materials and technologies.
• Lead root‑cause analysis and corrective actions for paint/material‑related issues.
• Work with manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, and other cross‑functional teams.
• Analyze material performance, cost, and environmental impact.
• Identify opportunities to reduce material costs and improve manufacturing performance.
• Prepare technical reports, data summaries, charts, and presentations.
• Support new model and production activities on the manufacturing floor.

Skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Root‑cause analysis

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

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.

Georgetown, KY, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1156

Salary Range: $50.00 To $55.00 Hourly

Location: Georgetown, KY
Work Schedule: Onsite, Monday–Friday
Travel: Up to 30% domestic and international
Overtime: Up to 20 hours per week during project periods, weekends, holidays, and shutdowns

1514503

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Paint Materials Engineer to support automotive paint production engineering and new model initiatives. This position will focus on new color and material introductions, paint trials, material performance, quality evaluation, and process improvement within a high-volume automotive manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience with automotive paint processes, color and appearance evaluation, paint materials, coatings, or related manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities

Lead new paint color and material introductions from initial evaluation through production approval

Plan and support paint and material trials, including online production testing

Evaluate paint color, appearance, quality, and material performance

Establish process controls and operating parameters for new materials and technologies

Lead root‑cause analysis and corrective actions for paint/material‑related issues

Work with manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, and other cross‑functional teams

Analyze material performance, cost, and environmental impact

Identify opportunities to reduce material costs and improve manufacturing performance

Prepare technical reports, data summaries, charts, and presentations

Support new model and production activities on the manufacturing floor

Qualifications

3+ years of relevant engineering or manufacturing experience

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent relevant work experience

At least 1 year of experience evaluating color and appearance of painted surfaces

Experience with automotive paint, coatings, paint materials, or related manufacturing processes

Strong problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis skills

Experience coordinating projects across multiple departments, suppliers, or external groups

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint

Experience creating and presenting technical reports to management

Ability to work in a manufacturing/shop‑floor environment

Ability to travel up to 30%

Ability to support occasional weekends, holidays, overtime, and plant shutdown periods

Preferred Qualifications

Degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline

Automotive OEM or Tier 1 manufacturing experience

Paint laboratory or paint workability evaluation experience

New model, new color, or paint launch experience

Experience with body paint and/or resin/plastic paint processes

Toyota Business Practices (TBP) experience

Basic Japanese or Spanish language skills

Additional Requirements

This position requires work in an automotive manufacturing environment. Candidates must be comfortable wearing required PPE, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, hard hat, and steel-toed shoes that extend above the ankle.

Candidates should also be comfortable with domestic and international travel to manufacturing facilities and suppliers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and potentially Japan.