Wood Coatings Applications Specialist - LOCAL ONLY

CPS Inc.; Mustang (OK); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

CPS Inc. is seeking a Wood Coatings Applications Specialist for LOCAL ONLY in Mustang, OK. This role leads spray testing of coatings for wood, collaborating with product development to drive new finishes and process improvements.

You will conduct spray testing, operate and maintain spray equipment, and provide cross-functional technical support toSales, R&D, and production teams. A strong background in industrial wood coatings and hands-on equipment maintenance is essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with at least 2 years experience; 5–10 years preferred.
• Extensive hands-on experience applying industrial wood coatings (stains, lacquers, varnishes).
• Familiar with spray equipment setup, calibration, and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Conduct spray application testing for new product development, reformulations, and product improvements.
• Perform internal product evaluations and competitive benchmarking.
• Document coating performance including dry-to-handle, dry-to-sand, and dry-to-stack times; evaluate stain applications and finish quality.

Skills

Spray testing

Coatings application

Equipment maintenance

Cross-functional collaboration

Troubleshooting

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Airless spray systems

HVLP spray

Air-assisted spray

Conventional spray guns

Job description

Wood Coatings Applications Specialist – LOCAL ONLY This is an exciting position that will lead spray testing of coatings for wood. If you've worked for a cabinet or furniture manufacturer and have applied and tested a variety of stains or coatings, we should talk!

Key Responsibilities

Application Testing & Product Evaluation

• Conduct spray application testing for new product development, reformulations, and product improvements
• Perform internal product evaluations and competitive benchmarking
• Document coating performance, including: Dry-to-handle, dry-to-sand, and dry-to-stack times Atomization and transfer efficiency Sanding quality, flow and leveling, feel and slip Defect identification, film build, and overall appearance Evaluate stain applications including wipe ease, spray / no-wipe methods, color development, and dry times

Spray Equipment & Facility Management

• Maintain and manage spray booths, finishing equipment, and testing environments Set up and operate industrial spray systems, including: Airless Air-Assisted Airless HVLP Conventional spray systems
• Maintain fluid delivery systems such as pumps, pressure pots, and circulation systems Ensure all equipment is calibrated, functioning properly, and operating safely Follow all EHS standards, including recordkeeping and waste disposal procedures

Cross-Functional Technical Support

• Collaborate with Sales, Technical Service, Product Management, and Laboratory teams Troubleshoot application challenges during trials and evaluations Provide practical application insights to improve product formulation and performance Support product launches with spray parameters, application guidelines, and best practices

Competitive & Market Evaluation

• Conduct spray testing of competitor coatings Provide structured feedback on: Sprayability Appearance and finish quality Film build Defect resistance Production suitability Communicate overall user experience comparisons between their products and competitors Product Development Support Assist in coating system validation for new product launches Establish application parameters and recommended equipment settings Support development of technical documentation and product positioning

Salary

Salary $50,000 - $70,000 + Bonus

Benefits

All insurances, 401k, vacation, career development and continued learning, Bonus plan, and more!

Technical Experience

Education

• High school diploma or GED required with at least 2 years, 5-10 preferred

Technical Expertise

• Extensive hands-on experience applying industrial wood coatings, including: Stains, Lacquers and pre-catalyzed lacquers, Conversion Varnishes, Waterborne Coatings, Two-component finishes Strong understanding of coating behavior in production spray environments Spray Equipment Knowledge

Spray Equipment Knowledge

• Experience with: Airless and Air-Assisted Airless systems, HVLP and conventional spray guns, Fluid delivery systems (pumps, pressure pots, circulation loops)

Equipment & Facility Management

• Ability to maintain spray booths, filtration systems, and finishing equipment Experience maintaining fluid handling systems and spray components Ability to manage sanding tables and inventories (test panels, abrasives, sundries)

Analytical & Troubleshooting Skills

• Ability to identify and resolve application issues such as: Orange peel, Dry spray, Poor atomization, Film defects and inconsistent build, Strong observational, evaluation, and documentation skills

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Proven ability to work with Product Management, R&D / Laboratory teams, Technical Service, Sales, and OEM representatives Ability to translate technical findings into actionable insights across teams

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in industrial wood finishing or coatings application
• Experience working with OEM wood manufacturers or production finishing environments
• Familiarity with coating evaluation protocols and testing methods
• Strong mechanical aptitude for equipment maintenance and troubleshooting