Sr. Design Painter

Lucid Motors USA, Inc.; Newark, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Lucid Motors USA, Inc. is seeking a Senior Design Painter to execute advanced paint, surfacing, color development, and finish work for show cars and design studio models.

You will work with cross-functional studio teams to translate design intent into concours-level finishes with exceptional surface quality and color accuracy. The role emphasizes hands-on craftsmanship, a refined eye for detail, and problem solving in a fast-paced prototype environment, with mentoring responsibilities for junior

Qualifications

• 7+ years of automotive painting experience delivering high-quality finishes.
• Advanced proficiency in surface prep, masking, priming, and finish work.
• Strong eye for detail, color accuracy, gloss and depth.
• Excellent troubleshooting, organization and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments in prototype/design studio timelines.

Responsibilities

• Execute complete paint and surfacing processes for show cars and studio models.
• Perform advanced sanding, filling, blocking, priming, sealing, masking, and finishing.
• Surface panels to preserve body lines and reflection flow.
• Apply solid, metallic, pearl, translucent, and special-effect finishes.
• Identify and correct surface imperfections before final release.
• Collaborate with designers, engineers, and fabrication teams to meet finish requirements.
• Mentor junior painters and support process improvement initiatives.

Skills

Automotive painting

Color matching

Finish workmanship

Attention to detail

Troubleshooting

Job description

About Lucid

At Lucid, we are creating exceptional mobility experiences through innovation to drive the world forward. Built on Lucid’s proprietary technology and software-defined vehicle architecture, our award-winning vehicles bring our “Compromise Nothing™” approach to the global automotive market. That means refusing to choose between performance and sustainability, design and engineering, ambition and integrity. In Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity, we have designed and built vehicles that have redefined their segments, combining exceptional range, performance, design, and expansive space in a single experience.

We achieve this through deep vertical integration, with design, engineering, and productionhappening in-houseacross our global offices andmanufacturingfacilities. Ourteamscomefromindustriesaround the world, united by a shared commitment to excellence. By refusing to settle, youcanhelpredefinewhat’spossible andshape the future of mobility.

Role Overview

The Senior Design Painter is responsible for executing advanced paint, surfacing, color development, and finish work for show cars and Design Studio development models. Working closely with the Lead Design Painter and cross-functional studio teams, this role transforms design intent into concours-level physical finishes with exceptional surface quality, color accuracy, gloss, depth, and consistency. The ideal candidate pairs expert hands-on craftsmanship with a highly refined eye for detail, strong color judgment, and the adaptability required to solve complex finish challenges in a fast-paced prototype environment.

Key Responsibilities

Paint, Surfacing & Finish Execution

• Execute complete paint and surfacing processes for show cars, concept vehicles, design properties, and studio development models.
• Perform advanced sanding, filling, blocking, priming, sealing, masking, paint application, clear coating, curing, wet sanding, polishing, and final detailing.
• Surface panels and properties to preserve intended body lines, highlights, crown, transitions, and reflection flow.
• Apply solid, metallic, pearl, translucent, multi-stage, custom, and special-effect finishes using techniques appropriate to each design property.
• Identify and correct surface imperfections, texture variation, contamination, edge conditions, color inconsistency, and other defects before final release.

Color Development & Quality Control

• Mix, tint, match, and refine custom colors to achieve targeted hues, effects, gloss levels, and visual depth.
• Produce and evaluate spray-out samples, comparing color appearance and flop under varied lighting and viewing conditions.
• Perform detailed inspections throughout preparation, application, and finishing to ensure quality and consistency.
• Assist the Lead Design Painter in developing, documenting, and improving paint formulas, application methods, and quality standards.
• Maintain careful records of approved formulas, variants, spray-out samples, and process details when required.

Design Studio Collaboration & Technical Support

• Collaborate with designers, modelers, engineers, fabricators, and project partners to understand finish requirements and support design-intent decisions.
• Provide practical recommendations on surface readiness, color behavior, materials, repair approaches, and finish feasibility.
• Troubleshoot complex paint and surfacing issues while protecting visual quality and program timing.
• Mentor and support less-experienced painters through hands-on guidance, constructive feedback, and demonstration of best practices.
• Work independently on technically demanding assignments while coordinating closely with the Lead Design Painter.

Equipment, Safety & Work Area

• Clean, maintain, and verify paint, sanding, polishing, mixing, and finishing equipment is ready for reliable use.
• Maintain a clean, organized, contamination-controlled work area and follow all applicable safety practices and material-handling requirements.
• Monitor material usage and communicate paint, consumable, tool, or equipment needs before they affect project execution.
• Support continuous improvement of studio paint processes, quality controls, and finishing capability.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+ years of automotive painting experience, with demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality custom, luxury, show-car, or prototype finishes.
• Advanced proficiency in surface preparation, repair, primer systems, masking, paint application, clear coating, wet sanding, polishing, and final detailing.
• Strong surfacing capability with a clear understanding of body lines, highlights, transitions, and reflection quality.
• Proven skill in color mixing, tinting, matching, spray-out evaluation, and color correction.
• Strong eye for detail, color accuracy, gloss consistency, surface quality, and overall presentation.
• Excellent troubleshooting, organization, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple assignments within tight prototype and Design Studio schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an automotive Design Studio, concept and show-car shop, coachbuilding environment, or similar low-volume prototype setting.
• Experience with solid, metallic, pearl, translucent, multi-stage, and special-effect paint systems.
• Experience preparing high-visibility vehicles or properties for design reviews, photography, executive presentations, or auto shows.
• Experience mentoring junior painters and contributing to process development and quality improvement.

Success Measures

• Consistent delivery of concours-level surface preparation, paint application, and final finish quality.
• Accurate color matching and reliable execution of approved custom colors and effects.
• Strong preservation of design intent through body-line quality, reflections, gloss, depth, and visual consistency.
• Timely completion of complex paint assignments with minimal rework.
• Effective collaboration with the Lead Design Painter and cross-functional Design Studio partners.
• Safe, clean, disciplined, and organized work practices.

At Lucid, we don’t just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.

Compensation Range

The compensation range for this position is specific to the locations listed below and is the range Lucid reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; and other relevant business and organizational factors.

Base Pay Range (hourly)

$38 — $53 USD

Compensation & Benefits: Lucid offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays, paid sick leave; and a401(k) retirementplan. Hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off, and salaried/exempt employee accrue up to 160 hours paid time off.Eligible employees may also participate in Lucid’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual cash incentive program. Incentive and equity awards, if applicable, are determined based on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Equal Opportunity:

At Lucid, we believe diversity strengthens everything we build. Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal laws and regulations.

Accessibility:

Lucid Motors is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need any accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at TA-Operations <@> lucidmotors.com. This email address is designated solely for accommodation requests and is not monitored for job applications or resume submissions. To be considered for employment, all applications must be submitted through the Lucid Motors Careers website.

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To all recruitment agencies:

Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to Lucid Motors. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.