Aircraft Painter

Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the U.S., U.K., France and Malaysia. The companys core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components for the worlds premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses on affordable, innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe.

General Statement

Responsible for the spray application of multiple aerospace paints on a variety of substrates and on simple to complex product configurations,including the setup and application of primer and finish coat. Supporting responsibilities include masking, racking, turning, and sanding operations as well as equipment maintenance and paint mixing operations.

Tasks

• Mix paints to match color specifications or original colors, using spatulas or power mixing equipment to stir or thin paints.
• Select and apply paint according to engineering planning documents.
• Dispose of trash, scrap and hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.
• Remove grease, dirt, paint, or rust from surfaces using abrasives, solvents, and brushes or washing tanks to prepare to apply paint.
• Spray or brush prepared surfaces with specified amounts of alodine, primers or finish coatings per engineering-planning.
• Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
• Trim excess material.
• Use any equipment (e.g., computers or hand, power and air tools) needed to complete paint assignments.
• Perform any pickup, rework and incorporation of changes to the product as required.
• Work from prints, sketches, specifications and written/verbal instruction.
• Maintain required certifications, qualifications, licenses or permits.
• Utilize precision measuring equipment (e.g. isoscopes and scales) to perform self-inspection of in-process and finished work.
• Perform routine minor maintenance on sprayers, paint guns, etc. as part of the daily work duties
• Move product within the manufacturing work area of the shop, including across aisles, using assigned equipment and complete transactions necessary to move product to the next operation.
• Support the continuous flow of product within the manufacturing process by training and assisting employees of the same or lower classification level.
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems as pertains to the paint process.
• Ensure daily logs are completed for air quality prior to paint operations.
• Utilize required safety equipment and procedures such as respirators, air hoods/masks, Tyvek suits, gloves, donning/ doffing, foot wear and safety eye wear.
• Compliance with governing regulations including but not limited to BAC, OSHA and customer specifications.

Level B

1. Perform process activities, such as painting, to support the production requirements per engineering planning.

2. Spray and brush priming per engineering planning.

3. Surface preparation (to include, but not limited to,masking, de-masking, plugging, etc.) for paint and subsequent inspection and processing.

4. Apply Sol-Gel and dry lube per engineering planning.

5. Operate automated and manual equipment for spray application of paint, primer and protective coatings per engineering planning.

6. Operate ovens to complete curing process per engineering planning.

7. Complete final steps in the paint process which may include part span or part wrap.

Qualifications

• Able to read engineering blueprints, schematics and drawings.
• Can match or detect differences amongcolors, including shades of color and brightness.
• Able to remain steady while moving an arm or while holdingarm and hand in position.
• See details at close range.
• Make precise movements of the fingers to grasp, manipulate or assemble small objects.
• Able to quickly move hand, hand with armor two hands to grasp, manipulate or assemble objects.
• HS diploma required. Associate’s degree in a technical field preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year(s) of experience pertaining to the skills identified
• All applicants must be willing and able to work any shift, including alternative work weeks. Majority of new hires will be hired on 2nd shift.
• All Candidates must pass the WorkKeys Assessment (workkeys.com) or provide verification that they have passed the WorkKeys Assessment. Delay in completing your WorkKeys Assessment will result in a delay in your start date. You may complete your assessment in advance of an interview.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of conventional high volume/low pressure (HVLP)paint spray equipment in pressure, gravity and siphon-fed variants,as well as conventional and airless identificationpots, pumps and guns.
• Aircraft or auto body painting experience.
• Painting prepto includesanding and masking.
• Two (2) years minimum related experience or equivalent technical certificate

Kansas Tax Credit: Join Spirit AeroSystems’ Kansas team and you may be eligible for a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years. Click here for more information on the tax credit.

Spirit AeroSystems is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race