Painter

Vermeer Corporation; Pella (IA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Vermeer Corporation is seeking a Painter I to join our team on the 1st shift in Iowa. You will apply primers and coats to metal parts, prepare surfaces, and operate paint-line equipment while maintaining strict quality and safety standards.

You’ll learn and perform spray applications using HVLP or electrostatic systems, adjust for viscosity, and document coating quality with gauges. This role emphasizes safety, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Entry-level painting experience preferred and a formal painting/coatings program.
• Ability to learn Vermeer Paint Training Program.
• Readiness to use HVLP or electrostatic spray systems and troubleshoot common defects.

Responsibilities

• Apply primer and topcoat to treated metal parts per SOP.
• Prepare surfaces by cleaning, degreasing, masking, and sanding as required.
• Operate and maintain paint-line equipment and perform routine PM/TPM tasks.
• Mix coatings accurately, monitor viscosity, and manage pot life.
• Document coating quality using WFT/DFT gauges and records.
• Inspect parts and communicate issues to teammates to ensure quality.
• Perform tasks with proper safety and PPE; stand, bend, lift as needed.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Paint application

Surface preparation

Quality control

Safety awareness

Education

Painting/coatings program

Tools

HVLP spray system

Electrostatic spray

Spray guns

Paint booth

Job description

Who We Are

Vermeer equips customers doing important work around the world. We are global, driven by innovation and growing. The equipment we make manages natural resources, connects people and feeds and fuels communities. We live out a caring culture, we demonstrate agility, we keep a focus on customers and are stewards of our resources. These beliefs drive our culture, determine how we treat others and steer our business.

Work Shift

1 - First Shift

Hourly Wage Range

$25.36 - $28.02

Job Summary

Are you detail-oriented and driven to craft a high-quality product? As a Painter I at Vermeer, you’ll help transform raw iron into Vermeer yellow iron by applying primer, pre-finish, and finish coats to machines and manufactured parts. Join a team dedicated to quality, safety, and continuous improvement as you contribute to a legacy that drives our world forward.

What You’ll Do

• Apply primer and topcoat to treated metal parts, adjusting paints to meet Vermeer’s quality standards.
• Prepare surfaces for painting by cleaning, degreasing, mechanical scuffing, and precise masking/plugging per print and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
• Operate and maintain paint-line equipment, including booths, spray guns, pumps, regulators, and high-pressure washers; perform routine preventive maintenance (PM/Total Preventative Maintenance [TPM]) and safe changeovers.
• Mix and adjust coatings to specification by following ratios by weight/volume, checking viscosity (e.g., Zahn cup), accounting for temperature/humidity, and managing pot life.
• Measure and document coating quality using Wet Film Thickness (WFT) and Dry Film Thickness (DFT) gauges (magnetic/eddy current), apply visual standards, repair defects, and complete required quality records as applicable.
• Inspect parts throughout the painting process, repair paint defects, and communicate issues quickly to support cross-shift and cell partners.
• Perform tasks that require frequent standing, reaching, bending, squatting, and lifting; work in confined spaces as needed while following all Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) procedures.

What We’re Looking For

• Entry-level painting experience, completion of a formal painting or coatings program (technical school, apprenticeship, or equivalent) preferred.
• Ability to successfully complete Vermeer Paint Training Program.
• Ability to learn and perform hands-on spray application using High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) and/or electrostatic systems; set up and tune spray guns (nozzle/needle, fan, flow, atomization), and troubleshoot common defects such as runs, sags, and orange peel.
• Readiness to measure and document coating quality using WFT and DFT gauges (e.g., magnetic/eddy current), apply visual standards, repair defects, and complete required records.
• Strong habits in surface preparation, including cleaning/degreasing, mechanical scuffing, and precise masking/plugging per print and SOP to ensure adhesion and edge quality.
• Ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting, reaching, bending, and working in confined spaces while maintaining safety and quality standards.

Travel

• No travel is expected for this position.

Essential Functions

Standing: Continuously
Sitting: Occasionally
Walking: Frequently
Hand Coordination: At least average/bilateral
Twisting: Occasionally (up to 2 minutes in position)
Bending - Trunk: Occasionally (up to 2 minutes in position)
Bending - Neck: Frequently (Up to 25 degrees flex and 45 degrees extension for up to 2 minutes in position)
Elevated Work/Reach: Frequently (up to 2 minutes in position)
Squatting/Kneeling: Occasionally (up to 2 minutes in position)
Climbing: Occasionally
Pulling: Rarely (up to 70 lbs) Occasionally (up to 50 lbs) Frequently (up to 20 lbs) Continuously (up to 10 lbs)
Pushing: Rarely (up to 70 lbs) Occasionally (up to 50 lbs) Frequently (up to 20 lbs) Continuously (up to 10 lbs)
RH Grip: Rarely (up to 70 lbs) Occasionally (up to 50 lbs) Frequently (up to 20 lbs) Continuously (up to 10 lbs)
LH Grip: Rarely (up to 70 lbs) Occasionally (up to 50 lbs) Frequently (up to 20 lbs) Continuously (up to 10 lbs)
RH Pinch: Rarely (up to 15 lbs) Occasionally (up to 10 lbs) Frequently (up to 5 lbs) Continuously (up to 2 lbs)
LH Pinch: Rarely (up to 15 lbs) Occasionally (up to 10 lbs) Frequently (up to 5 lbs) Continuously (up to 2 lbs)
Floor to Waist Lift: Rarely (up to 50 lbs) Occasionally (up to 20 lbs)
Horizontal Lift: (up to 50 lbs) Occasionally (up to 20 lbs) Frequently (up to 10 lbs) Continuously (up to 5 lbs)
Waist to Crown Lift: Rarely (up to 40 lbs) Frequently (up to 10 lbs)
Shoulder to Overhead Lift: Rarely (up to 20 lbs) Frequently (up to 10 lbs)

Work Location

ONSITE: A team member’s day-to-day work is best done on a Vermeer campus. If work content can be occasionally completed at an offsite location, discuss potential arrangements with your manager.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Vermeer Corporation, we believe in the value of your unique identity, background, and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other status protected by the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation due to a disability at any stage of the employment application process should contact Team Member Solutions at [phone] or at [e-mail].

Interested? We’d love to get to know you.