Specialties Coating Lead

The Copper River Family of Companies; Oregon; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with employer match

Open leave policy

Tuition reimbursement

Transportation expense account

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The Copper River Family of Companies, owner of a suite of entities serving defense manufacturing, seeks a seasoned Specialties Coating Lead for ReconCraft in Clackamas, Oregon. You will oversee expert coating preparation and application of non‑standard marine coatings on high‑performance Naval craft, lead a production team, and ensure quality, safety, and schedule adherence.

This role demands hands‑on leadership, deep coatings discipline, and the ability to coordinate across Fabrication,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the vessel manufacturing field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience managing or leading personnel.
• Minimum of 5 years of welding or fabrication experience in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform expert‑level preparation and application of non‑standard specialty marine coatings on high‑performance Naval craft.
• Lead assigned manufacturing team members to promote product quality, efficient work practices, and timely completion of work packages.
• Develop, document, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures for the application of non‑traditional marine specialty coatings.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity and quality while reducing costs, scrap, and product rework.
• Support the establishment, implementation, and maintenance of production standards.
• Train, develop, and cross‑train employees while establishing clear performance expectations and maintaining high standards.
• Provide timely coaching and corrective action, when necessary, in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Assist the supervisor with evaluating current production capacity and planning for future capacity requirements.
• Coordinate with Fabrication and Outfitting departments to support schedule adherence and efficient production flow.
• Work closely with the Coatings Supervisor to coordinate and maintain efficient production schedules.
• Identify, communicate, and support timely resolution of production build issues with Engineering and other ReconCraft departments.
• Collaborate across departments on production concerns, process improvements, and efficiency initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, health, and environmental rules and requirements.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Skills

Marine coating expertise

Bodywork & surface prep

Reading engineering drawings

Production leadership

Process improvement

Cross-department coordination

Safety compliance

Microsoft Word & Excel

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

ReconCraft is seeking an experienced Specialties Coating Lead to oversee the preparation and application of non‑standard specialty marine coatings on high‑performance Naval aircrafts, in Clackamas, Oregon. This position provides hands‑on technical leadership while coordinating assigned manufacturing personnel to ensure quality, productivity, schedule adherence, and compliance with established production and safety requirements.

The Specialties Coating Lead will perform expert‑level coating preparation and application, including bodywork to meet strict craft specifications and tolerance requirements. The role will also support process improvement, employee development, production planning, and coordination across manufacturing departments.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• Perform expert‑level preparation and application of non‑standard specialty marine coatings on high‑performance Naval craft.
• Perform bodywork and surface preparation to meet strict craft specifications, quality standards, and tolerance requirements.
• Lead assigned manufacturing team members to promote product quality, efficient work practices, and timely completion of work packages.
• Develop, document, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures for the application of non‑traditional marine specialty coatings.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity and quality while reducing costs, scrap, and product rework.
• Support the establishment, implementation, and maintenance of production standards.
• Train, develop, and cross‑train employees while establishing clear performance expectations and maintaining high standards.
• Provide timely coaching and corrective action, when necessary, in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Assist the supervisor with evaluating current production capacity and planning for future capacity requirements.
• Coordinate with Fabrication and Outfitting departments to support schedule adherence and efficient production flow.
• Work closely with the Coatings Supervisor to coordinate and maintain efficient production schedules.
• Identify, communicate, and support timely resolution of production build issues with Engineering and other ReconCraft departments.
• Collaborate across departments on production concerns, special projects, process improvements, and efficiency initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, health, and environmental rules and requirements.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Essential Job Qualifications and Requirements:

• Education and Certifications:
  • High school diploma or equivalent

• Experience:
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in the vessel manufacturing field
  • Minimum of 3-5 years of experience managing or leading personnel
  • Minimum of 5 years of welding or fabrication experience in a manufacturing environment
  • Demonstrated experience working in a production/manufacturing environment

• Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Expert‑level knowledge of marine coating preparation and application practices
  • Demonstrated ability to perform bodywork and surface preparation to demanding specifications and tolerances
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production standards, and quality requirements
  • Ability to identify production issues and coordinate effective solutions with Engineering and other departments
  • Strong leadership, coaching, training, and employee‑development skills
  • Ability to establish clear expectations and maintain production and quality standards
  • Strong organizational and communication skills
  • Ability to coordinate multiple activities while maintaining production schedules and deadlines
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel
  • Ability to work collaboratively across manufacturing and support departments

• Physical Requirements
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
  • Ability to perform hands‑on manufacturing and coating‑related activities
  • Ability to work extended hours when required to meet production deadlines and deliverables

• Work Environment
  • The Specialties Coating Lead works in a vessel manufacturing environment supporting the production of high‑performance Naval craft. The position requires regular interaction with manufacturing personnel, supervisors, Engineering, Fabrication, Outfitting, and other ReconCraft departments. The role requires adherence to applicable safety, health, and environmental requirements.

About Copper River & The Native Village of Eyak:

Owned by the Native Village of Eyak (NVE), a federally recognized Alaska Native Tribe, the Copper River Family of Companies are a collection of entities that deliver a complementary set of solutions and services to support the diverse missions and requirements of our clients. Proud participants of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program since 2006, our companies consist of both current and graduation SBA 8(a) entities. It is our collective purpose to support the Tribe and diversify the NVE’s ability to facilitate economic advancement.

The income generated from our companies helps the Native Village of Eyak fund health and social services, economic development, natural resource/environmental education, jobs, job training, and other benefits to the NVE in a manner that is consistent with Alaskan Native cultural values and traditions.

The Copper River Family of Companies has a positive, supportive, and thriving culture. At the foundation of our culture is a focus on collaboration. No matter your role or which operating company you work for, we are ONE TEAM working toward the same goals for our customers and for our collective owner- The Native Village of Eyak. How we treat each other is just as important as the work we deliver.

Copper River’s Culture

The Copper River Family of Companies has a positive, supportive, and thriving culture. At the foundation of our culture is a focus on collaboration. No matter your role or which operating company you work for, we are ONE TEAM working toward the same goals for our customers and for our collective owner- The Native Village of Eyak. How we treat each other is just as important as the work we deliver.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Account - healthcare and dependent care
• Health Savings Account - high deductible medical plan
• Retirement 401(k) with employer match
• Open leave policy and paid holidays
• Additional benefits including tuition reimbursement, transportation expense account, employee assistance program, and more!

Note

Benefits are offered based on employment classification and applicable contract requirements. Eligibility may vary by position.

Disclaimer

The Copper River Family of Companies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.