Paint Prep Technician

Highland Engineering, Inc. (HEI) was founded in 1986 - and has become one of the leading small business suppliers of Military Troop Support Equipment to the Department of Defense. Our emphasis has always been on solving the needs of our customers. Highland is an employee owned company and HEI takes pride in the average tenure of our employees is more than 10 years. HEI is proud to maintain a drug-free workplace supporting our troops and the DoD.

Job Title:

Paint Prep Technician Location:

On-Site -

Howell, MI Eligibility:

Must be eligible to work for a U.S.

DoD Contractor Terms:

Full-Time;

Non-Exempt Job Summary:

The Paint Prep Technician supports manufacturing operations by preparing parts and assemblies for finishing in accordance with company standards and program requirements. This role is responsible for surface preparation, masking, cleaning, and staging components to ensure proper adhesion and high-quality paint finishes.

Key Responsibilities:

Prepare metal and other surfaces for painting by sanding, grinding, cleaning and masking. Remove oils, debris, rust or contaminants prior to finishing. Mask and protect surfaces not intended for coating. Assist with moving and staging parts for painting. Inspect prepared surfaces to ensure readiness for coating. Follow work instructions and finishing procedures. Handle materials and equipment safely in accordance with company safety standards. Identify and report surface defects or material issues. Maintain a clean and organized work area. Perform other duties as assigned to support production.

What We Value:

Operate with ownership: We value individuals who take ownership of their role, proactively solve problems and bring forward ideas for continuous improvement.

Process-minded:

Comfortable following established processes and accurately documenting actions in a structured, disciplined manner.

Effective communicator:

Able to communicate proactively and professionally with cross-functional teams, including operations, engineering and executive leadership.

Dependable and discreet:

Understands the sensitivity of the company and customer information and handles it responsibly and confidentially.

Mission-driven:

Appreciates the responsibility and impact of working in a DoD manufacturing environment and acts with integrity and accountability.

Qualifications:

High School diploma or GED preferred. Mechanical aptitude and comfort using hand and power tools. Ability to read a tape measure and perform basic math. Strong attention to detail. Ability to lift materials and perform physical tasks throughout the shift. Reliable attendance and punctuality.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Prior manufacturing or shop experience. Prior paint preparation or finishing experience. Experience sanding, grinding, or surface conditioning metal parts. Familiarity with safety practices related to paint and coating processes.