Lead Painter

Job Title:

Lead Industrial Painter /

Coating Specialist Location:

Minneapolis, KS Position Type:

Full-Time Rate:

Dependent on experience / Competitive Shop Standards Job Summary ProFab Metal Manufacturing is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Lead Painter / Coating Specialist to oversee and execute our product finishing operations. Operating in a fast-paced metal fabrication environment, you will lead the finishing department, managing everything from meticulous surface preparation to high-quality industrial liquid coating application. This role is ideal for someone who takes pride in structural steel and fabricated metal aesthetics, maintains safety protocols, and ensures an efficient, high-quality workflow for all fabricated parts leaving our facility.

Core Duties & Responsibilities Department Leadership:

Supervise, mentor, and schedule the finishing team; assign tasks to meet production timelines while maintaining high-quality finish standards.

Surface Preparation:

Oversee and execute proper cleaning, degreasing, blasting, and prepping of carbon steel parts and structural elements prior to coating.

Coating Application:

Apply industrial primers, specialized coatings, and finishes using conventional and airless spray equipment; maintain proper mil-thickness and ensure uniform coverage.

Equipment Maintenance:

Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting on spray guns, pumps, mixers, and spray booth systems to minimize downtime and ensure optimal performance.

Quality Control:

Conduct visual inspections and use thickness gauges to verify finish quality, adhesion, and compliance with project specifications before products leave the shop.

Safety & Compliance:

Enforce strict adherence to safety regulations, including proper PPE (respiratory protection), ventilation protocols, and safe chemical, paint, and solvent handling/disposal.

Material Tracking:

Monitor paint, primer, and solvent inventories; coordinate with the production manager to estimate material needs for upcoming fabrication jobs.

Job Requirements & Qualifications Experience:

2+ years of industrial painting or liquid spray coating experience, specifically working with structural steel, heavy machinery, or fabricated metal products.

Technical Skills:

Deep proficiency with airless/conventional sprayers, industrial blast equipment, fluid pressure ratios, and basic hand/power tools used in metal preparation.

Blueprint Literacy:

Ability to read and interpret shop drawings, weldments, and fabrication travelers to understand coating requirements and masked zones.

Physical Demands:

Ability to handle the physical demands of a fabrication shop environment, including lifting heavy components, standing for extended periods, and wearing full respiratory equipment.

Leadership Drive:

Strong communication and organizational skills with a proven ability to lead a small team, keep a clean shop, and meet tight production schedules. Why Work for ProFab? At ProFab Metal Manufacturing, we build our success on three core pillars: Reliability, Quality, and Team Strength . We are invested in maintaining excellent equipment and safety standards, offering our team members a stable, growth-oriented environment to lead impactful industrial projects.

Pay:

$22.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Tools provided People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location:

In person