Lead Painter

Position Summary

Hydraulics International, Inc. is seeking a Painter Lead responsible for leading and supporting painting and coating operations within the manufacturing environment. This position assists with assigning daily work, training Painter Assistants and Painters, ensuring quality standards are met, and maintaining a safe, organized, and efficient paint area. The Painter Lead is expected to perform hands-on painting duties while helping guide the team to meet production schedules and quality requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead daily painting and preparation activities, including surface preparation, masking, priming, painting, and finishing.
• Assign tasks to Painters and Painter Assistants based on production priorities and employee skill level.
• Perform industrial painting, including spray painting, touch-up, and coating applications on parts, equipment, and assemblies.
• Ensure surfaces are properly cleaned, sanded, masked, and prepared prior to paint application.
• Mix paints, primers, and coatings according to specifications and job requirements.
• Inspect completed work to ensure proper coverage, finish quality, adhesion, and compliance with company standards.
• Train and assist Painters and Painter Assistants on proper techniques, equipment use, safety procedures, and quality expectations.
• Monitor paint booth, tools, spray equipment, and related materials to ensure they are properly maintained and used safely.
• Communicate production issues, quality concerns, material shortages, or equipment problems to the supervisor or manager.
• Help maintain inventory of paint supplies, materials, and consumables.
• Ensure work areas are kept clean, organized, and compliant with safety and environmental requirements.
• Follow company procedures related to hazardous materials, PPE, ventilation, chemical handling, and waste disposal.
• Assist with troubleshooting paint defects such as runs, orange peel, poor coverage, contamination, or adhesion issues.
• Support production schedules by helping prioritize urgent jobs and coordinating workflow.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in industrial, manufacturing, automotive, or equipment painting required.
• Prior lead, trainer, or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience with spray painting equipment and paint preparation required.
• Knowledge of surface preparation, masking, priming, and finish coating processes.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions, job travelers, specifications, and safety data sheets.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to train, guide, and support other employees in a professional manner.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be dependable and able to meet production deadlines.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and lift throughout the shift.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. as needed.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing and paint booth environment.
• Must be comfortable wearing required PPE, including respirator, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing.
• May be exposed to fumes, dust, chemicals, noise, and varying temperatures.

Work Environment

This position works in a manufacturing environment and paint area where safety procedures must be followed at all times. The employee may work around paint, solvents, chemicals, industrial equipment, and production machinery.

Schedule

Full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with overtime as needed.

Salary Expectations

$27.00 - $30.00 per hour, DOE

Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

About HII

HII, headquartered in Chatsworth, California, U.S.A., is a leading supplier of integrated products, services, and support to military forces, aviation and commercial industries, government agencies, and prime contractors worldwide. Focused on defense and commercial technology, the Company develops, manufactures, and supports a broad range of systems for over one hundred industries, as well as mission-critical and military sustainment requirements worldwide.

We are extremely proud of the fact that our extensive design capabilities enable us to produce the most sophisticated units known to today’s technology.

Our corporate, engineering, and manufacturing facilities, located in Chatsworth, California and Forsyth, Georgia, encompass over 625,000 square feet. Our manufacturing facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including CNC lathes and mills, computerized tube bending equipment, automatic press brakes, programmable punch presses, laser topography scanners, and other quality verification devices.

HII has combined the greatest talent, skill, and equipment to best service our customers’ demands.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

HII is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities. HII also prohibits discrimination and harassment against all individuals based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing information about compensation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, including physical, emotional, and mental health, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use the online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact (818) 998-1231 ext. 2200 for assistance.