Painter/ Blaster III in Ridgeville, South Carolina at Carolina Heavy Steel

Position Summary

The Painter/Blaster III is a senior-level industrial coatings professional responsible for performing advanced abrasive blasting, surface preparation, and application of protective coating systems on heavy steel fabrications, transformer components, and manufactured products. This position operates with minimal supervision, serves as a technical resource for the department, and assists with training, quality control, and process improvement initiatives. The Painter/Blaster III is expected to consistently deliver high-quality work while maintaining safety, productivity, and coating compliance standards.

Essential Duties

• Perform complex blasting and coating projects.
• Interpret coating specifications and customer requirements.
• Conduct quality checks for profile, DFT, and environmental conditions.
• Troubleshoot coating application issues.
• Train and mentor junior painters/blasters.
• Coordinate coating activities with production management.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of industrial coatings and surface preparation standards.
• Coating inspection certifications preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of industrial painting and sandblasting experience.

Hours

• Monday – Thursday 6:00am – 4:30pm
• Overtime may be required.

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• 5+ years of industrial painting and abrasive blasting experience.
• Advanced knowledge of industrial coating systems and surface preparation standards.
• Experience operating blasting equipment, airless spray systems, pressure pot systems, and conventional spray equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret coating specifications, work orders, and customer requirements.
• Proven ability to work independently and lead complex coating projects.
• Perform abrasive blasting to required surface preparation standards.
• Prepare steel and fabricated components through cleaning, grinding, masking, and surface conditioning.
• Apply industrial primers, epoxy coatings, urethanes, zinc-rich coatings, and specialty finishes in accordance with project specifications.
• Verify proper environmental conditions before coating application.
• Measure and document wet film thickness (WFT) and dry film thickness (DFT).
• Conduct quality inspections of blasted and painted surfaces.
• Troubleshoot coating and surface preparation issues.
• Identify defects and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure all coating work meets customer specifications and quality requirements.
• Assist with scheduling and prioritizing workload within the department.
• Train and mentor Painter/Blaster I and II employees.
• Maintain blasting and painting equipment in proper operating condition.
• Follow all OSHA, environmental, and company safety requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of abrasive blasting techniques.
• Extensive understanding of industrial coating systems and paint application methods.
• Working knowledge of coating inspection practices and thickness measurement equipment.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications and quality standards.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to coordinate work effectively with production, quality, and management teams.
• Experience in heavy steel fabrication, transformer manufacturing, or industrial equipment manufacturing.
• NACE, AMPP, SSPC, or other coatings-related certifications.
• Experience with coating inspection procedures.
• Forklift certification.
• Overhead crane experience.
• Previous leadership or mentoring experience.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, climb, and reach during the workday.
• Ability to work in industrial environments with exposure to noise, dust, blasting media, paint fumes, and varying temperatures.
• Ability to wear required PPE including:
  • Respirator
  • Protective coveralls
  • Gloves
  • Hearing protection
  • Safety glasses
  • Steel-toed boots