Painter Helper

Aerotek; California (MO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Plan

Life Insurance

Paid PTO / Time Off

Employee discounts

Weekly pay

Job summary

Aerotek in Valencia, CA seeks a Paint Preparation and Spray Technician Helper to support the painting and finishing process in a fast-paced production environment. You will prepare surfaces, mix coatings, operate spray equipment, and help ensure safe, accurate finishes on automotive and aerospace components.

The role emphasizes safety, attention to detail, and the ability to read specs. Typical hours are day shift with overtime; you will work onsite with professional painting equipment, PPE, and

Qualifications

• 1–2 years in paint preparation, painting, sanding in aerospace, automotive, or manufacturing.
• Proficiency with spray guns, paint guns and related equipment.
• Experience with paint prep, mixing paints and catalysts, setting up pressure pots.
• Ability to use hand and power tools including drills, grinders and sanders.
• Ability to read routers, specs and work instructions.
• Strong safety awareness and attention to detail.
• Ability to lift and handle heavy items safely.

Responsibilities

• Apply masking tape to parts and areas not to be coated.
• Mix paints and catalysts; ensure proper ratios and consistency.
• Pour coating liquids into pressure pots and connect spray guns to air hoses.
• Adjust spray width and pressure for primer and finish coats.
• Spray surfaces for consistent coverage and high-quality finishes.
• Clean spraying equipment with solvents and proper PPE.
• Maintain clean, safe work environment per procedures.
• Operate curing ovens to dry and cure painted products.
• Perform paint touch-ups to correct defects or improve finish.
• Clean grease, dirt and contaminants from products.
• Fill, grind and sand repaired surfaces for smooth finishes.
• Fill depressions with body filler and smooth burrs.
• Prime or paint surfaces after body repair to enhance finish.
• Visually inspect surfaces for smoothness and adherence to standards.
• Read and follow routers, specs and work instructions accurately.
• Use drills, grinders and sanders to support finishing tasks.
• Lift and move heavy materials as required by the job.
• Perform other duties to support production and finishing operations.

Skills

Spray guns

Paint guns

Painting equipment

Read/Follow specs

English safety rules

Detail orientation

Lifting heavy items

Tools

Pressure pots

Air hoses

Drills

Grinders

Sanding equipment

Job description

Paint Preparation and Spray Technician Helper

Job Description

This role supports the painting and finishing process by preparing surfaces, mixing and applying coatings, and maintaining a clean and safe work area. You will use spray guns, hand tools, and power tools to achieve high-quality finishes on products, working in a production environment with a strong focus on safety, accuracy, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Apply masking tape or other protective materials to parts and areas that must not be coated.
• Mix paints and catalysts prior to application, ensuring proper ratios and consistency.
• Pour coating liquids into pressure pots and connect spray guns to air hoses in preparation for use.
• Adjust the width and pressure of the spray pattern based on painting techniques and compliance requirements to apply primer and finish coats.
• Spray work surfaces to achieve consistent coverage and high-quality prime or finish coats.
• Clean spraying equipment with appropriate solvents while using proper personal protective equipment.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment in compliance with safety procedures.
• Operate curing ovens to dry and cure painted products according to specified standards.
• Perform paint touch-ups to correct defects or improve finish quality as needed.
• Clean grease, dirt, and contaminants from products using various cleaning products appropriate to each situation.
• Fill, grind, and sand repaired surfaces using hand tools and power tools to achieve smooth finishes.
• Fill depressions with body filler and file or smooth dings to remove burrs and rough spots.
• Prime or paint surfaces after completing body repair to restore or enhance finish quality.
• Visually inspect and feel surfaces to verify smoothness, coverage, and adherence to quality standards.
• Read and follow routers, specifications, and work instructions accurately.
• Use hand and power tools, including drills and sanding tools, to support fabrication and finishing tasks.
• Lift and move heavy materials or components as required by the job.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support production and finishing operations.

Essential Skills

• 1–2 years of recent experience in paint preparation, painting, sanding, and scuffing in aerospace, automotive, or manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency with spray guns, paint guns, and related painting equipment.
• Experience with paint preparation, including mixing paints and catalysts and setting up pressure pots.
• Ability to use hand tools and power tools, including drills, grinders, and sanding equipment.
• Capability to read and follow routers, specifications, and work instructions.
• Ability to read, write, and understand English, including safety rules, operating instructions, maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure high-quality finishes and adherence to specifications.
• Knowledge of commonly used safety concepts, practices, and procedures in painting and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to lift and handle heavy items safely as part of daily tasks.
• Medical clearance to wear a respirator.
• Successful completion of respirator fit testing.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, automotive, or manufacturing paint environments.
• Familiarity with fabrication processes related to finishing and painting.
• Ability to interpret basic blueprints to understand product and finishing requirements.
• Comfort working with solvents, cleaning agents, and body fillers while following safety guidelines.
• Experience performing surface inspection by sight and touch to verify finish quality.

Why Work Here?

You will work in a production environment that values safety, consistency, and craftsmanship, offering the opportunity to develop and refine your painting and finishing skills. The schedule provides predictable daytime hours with additional overtime opportunities, supporting stable income and long-term employment. You will gain experience with professional painting equipment and processes used in advanced manufacturing, helping you build a strong technical foundation for future growth.

Work Environment

This position operates in a production and fabrication environment focused on painting and finishing processes. The typical schedule is 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with mandatory overtime and Saturday work as needed. You will regularly use spray guns, pressure pots, curing ovens, hand tools, and power tools such as drills, grinders, and sanders. The role involves working with paints, catalysts, solvents, cleaning agents, and body fillers, requiring consistent use of personal protective equipment and respirators. The environment emphasizes cleanliness, organization, and adherence to safety procedures while handling heavy parts and equipment and performing repetitive tasks with attention to detail.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Valencia, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $22.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Valencia,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 29, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristi protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.