Painter

Skyeton, Inc; Fayetteville (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Job summary

Skyeton, Inc. in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is seeking a skilled Painter to prepare, mask, mix, and apply primers and coatings on aircraft components and tooling.

You will operate paint booths, ensure cure and film thickness, and inspect finished parts while maintaining strict safety and traceability records. The role requires 2+ years of relevant paint experience, ability to read drawings, and adherence to ITAR/EAR regulations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2+ years of industrial, automotive, aviation, marine, military, composite, or manufacturing paint experience.
• Hands-on experience with surface preparation, masking, mixing, spray application, curing, touch-up, and finish inspection.
• Ability to read and follow drawings, work instructions, specifications, technical data sheets, and safety data sheets.
• Working knowledge of paint ratios, viscosity, pot life, flash time, cure requirements, film thickness, and common coating defects.
• Ability to safely use spray equipment, sanding and preparation tools, measuring equipment, and required personal protective equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to produce consistent, high-quality finishes.
• Ability to maintain accurate production, material, batch, and traceability records.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a schedule-driven manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work assigned shifts and occasional overtime or weekends based on production requirements.
• Must qualify as a U.S. Person under applicable ITAR/EAR regulations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare composite, metal, and other surfaces by cleaning, sanding, abrading, filling, sealing, and other preparation methods.
• Mask and protect components, openings, interfaces, hardware, markings, and no-paint areas per instructions.
• Mix, reduce, catalyze, strain, and prepare primers, paints, coatings, sealants, and related materials per approved methods.
• Apply primers, topcoats, coatings, markings, and finishes using spray guns, brushes, rollers, or approved equipment.
• Set up and operate paint booths, spray equipment, ventilation systems, curing equipment safely and effectively.
• Control coating thickness, color, gloss, texture, cure, adhesion, and appearance to meet requirements.
• Perform touch-up, blending, defect correction, and rework within procedures and document work.
• Inspect surfaces and finished parts for defects such as runs, sags, fisheyes, contamination, and overspray.
• Read and follow engineering drawings, specifications, data sheets, and schedules.
• Maintain material identification, batch traceability, expiration, and shelf-life controls.

Skills

Attention to detail

Reading drawings

Safety awareness

Independent worker

Teamwork

Schedule flexibility

ITAR/EAR compliance knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Spray guns

Paint booths

Ventilation systems

Measuring equipment

Job description

The Painter prepares and finishes aircraft components, assemblies, tooling, and related production hardware in accordance with engineering drawings, work instructions, quality requirements, and customer specifications. This position performs surface preparation, masking, mixing, application, curing, touch-up, and inspection activities to produce durable, consistent, and mission-ready finishes.

Working closely with Production, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, and EHS, the Painter maintains safe and controlled coating processes, accurate material and batch records, proper equipment condition, and high standards for appearance, adhesion, coverage, thickness, and workmanship.

What you'll do

• Prepare composite, metal, and other approved surfaces by cleaning, sanding, abrading, filling, sealing, and performing other specified preparation methods
• Mask and protect aircraft components, openings, interfaces, hardware, markings, and no-paint areas in accordance with drawings and work instructions
• Mix, reduce, catalyze, strain, and prepare primers, paints, coatings, sealants, and related materials using approved ratios, methods, and pot-life controls
• Apply primers, topcoats, protective coatings, markings, and finishes using spray guns, brushes, rollers, or other approved equipment
• Set up and operate paint booths, spray equipment, ventilation systems, curing equipment, and related tools safely and effectively
• Control coating thickness, coverage, color, gloss, texture, cure, adhesion, and overall appearance to meet engineering and quality requirements
• Perform touch-up, blending, defect correction, and rework within authorized procedures and document completed work
• Inspect surfaces and finished parts for runs, sags, pinholes, fisheyes, contamination, poor adhesion, orange peel, overspray, masking defects, and other nonconformities
• Use approved measuring and inspection equipment to verify wet- or dry-film thickness and other specified coating characteristics
• Read and follow engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, technical data sheets, safety data sheets, travelers, and production schedules
• Maintain material identification, lot and batch traceability, expiration and shelf-life controls, mix records, cure records, and other required documentation
• Handle, store, label, and dispose of paints, solvents, coatings, hazardous materials, and waste in accordance with EHS procedures and applicable regulations
• Maintain clean, organized, and FOD-controlled paint, preparation, mixing, storage, and curing areas
• Clean and maintain spray guns, hoses, pumps, booths, fixtures, respirators, and other paint equipment; report maintenance or calibration needs promptly
• Coordinate with Quality for in-process and final inspections and promptly report defects, damaged parts, process deviations, or unclear instructions
• Support process qualification, first-article builds, new-product introduction, continuous improvement, and corrective-action activities
• Meet production, quality, safety, and delivery expectations while protecting sensitive aircraft surfaces and components
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• 2+ years of industrial, automotive, aviation, marine, military, composite, or manufacturing paint experience
• Hands-on experience with surface preparation, masking, mixing, spray application, curing, touch-up, and finish inspection
• Ability to read and follow drawings, work instructions, specifications, technical data sheets, and safety data sheets
• Working knowledge of paint ratios, viscosity, pot life, flash time, cure requirements, film thickness, and common coating defects
• Ability to safely use spray equipment, sanding and preparation tools, measuring equipment, and required personal protective equipment
• Strong attention to detail and ability to produce consistent, high-quality finishes
• Ability to maintain accurate production, material, batch, and traceability records
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a schedule-driven manufacturing environment
• Ability to work assigned shifts and occasional overtime or weekends based on production requirements
• Must qualify as a U.S. Person under applicable ITAR/EAR regulations

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace, aircraft, UAV, defense, or military coating experience
• Experience painting composite structures, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, or other aerospace materials
• Experience with two-part polyurethane, epoxy primers, chemical-resistant coatings, camouflage patterns, stencils, or low-observable finishes
• Knowledge of aerospace workmanship, surface-preparation, coating-thickness, adhesion, and appearance standards
• Experience working under AS9100, ISO 9001, FAA, military, or other regulated quality systems
• Experience with hazardous-material handling, respirator use, paint-booth operations, and environmental compliance
• Previous experience completing travelers, routers, batch records, nonconformance documentation, or ERP production transactions
• Relevant trade-school training, coating certification, or military occupational specialty
• Precision, patience, and strong visual attention to detail
• Consistent workmanship and respect for controlled processes
• Knowledge of coating preparation, application, curing, and defect prevention
• Safety awareness when working with chemicals, ventilation systems, and respiratory protection
• Ability to identify defects, stop work when needed, and communicate concerns promptly
• Organization, documentation discipline, and material traceability
• Teamwork, reliability, adaptability, and accountability
• Commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and meeting production schedules
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical insurance: company-paid employee coverage
• Dental and vision insurance
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
• Career growth opportunities within a rapidly expanding aerospace organization
• Opportunity to contribute directly to advanced unmanned aircraft supporting critical missions
• Full-time, on-site role located in Fayetteville, North Carolina
• Work is performed in paint-preparation, mixing, spray-booth, curing, warehouse, and manufacturing areas
• Regular exposure to paints, primers, solvents, sealants, dust, odors, noise, moving equipment, and temperature-controlled or ventilated work areas
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, crouching, and repetitive hand and arm movements for extended periods
• Ability to climb steps or platforms and lift or move up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to wear and use required respiratory protection and other PPE, subject to applicable medical evaluation, fit-testing, and training requirements
• Required PPE may include respirators, safety glasses or goggles, gloves, protective clothing, hearing protection, and safety footwear
• May require work on multiple shifts, extended hours, or weekends based on production and cure-cycle requirements
• Ability to handle confidential and export-controlled information in accordance with company policy

Equal Opportunity Statement

Skyeton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

This position is subject to U.S. export-control regulations (ITAR/EAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by applicable law. A pre-employment background check, drug screen, and reference verification are required. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain any clearances required by Skyeton customers and contracts.

About Skyeton, Inc

Skyeton is an aerospace and defense technology company focused on the design, production, and support of advanced unmanned aerial systems. At our growing Fayetteville, North Carolina operation, employees help establish and scale U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities that support demanding customer missions.

Company Culture

Skyeton combines the energy of a growing organization with the discipline required in aerospace manufacturing. We value teamwork, accountability, practical problem-solving, precise execution, and a willingness to improve. Our people make a difference, and every employee contributes directly to product quality, operational readiness, and customer success.