Spray Painter in Newport News, Virginia at MILLS MARINE & SHIP REPAIR LLC

Position: Marine Painter First Class / Sprayer

Job Type: Full-time

Reports to: Painting Contract Supervisor

Location: Newport News, VA (Huntington Ingalls Shipyard)

Mills Marine

A growing ship repair company focused on repairing and building ships to support the Military’s Mission. We are committed to providing Safe, Quality and Process Driven services for our customers in the ship new construction and repair.

Position Summary

Fully qualified, multi-skilled preservation mechanic capable of performing every duty from Laborer through Marine Sprayer. This classification borders on Lead and is where leadership ability should begin to consistently manifest.

What you will do

• Review coating requirements, product data, environmental limitations, recoat windows, authorized boundaries, and application requirements.

• Confirm surfaces are properly prepared, cleaned, inspected, and released before coating.

• Select the proper spray gun, tip, pressure, hose configuration, and technique.

• Apply primers, intermediate coats, topcoats, and approved coating systems to bulkheads, overheads, doors, stiffeners, foundations, trunks, and irregular shipboard surfaces.

• Maintain correct gun distance, angle, travel speed, overlap, spray pattern, and wet-film coverage.

• Prevent and correct overspray, runs, sags, dry spray, holidays, excessive film build, contamination, and missed areas.

• Coordinate continuously with the Pump Operator and safely shut down, depressurize, flush, clean, and preserve spray equipment.

PUMP OPERATOR:

• Inspect and set up pumps, hoses, fittings, filters, guns, tips, guards, suction equipment, and grounding arrangements.

• Verify coating product, batch number, mix ratio, induction time, pot life, thinner limitations, and quantity.

• Mix, strain, prime, operate, monitor, troubleshoot, depressurize, flush, and clean spray equipment.

• Track material mixed, used, wasted, and remaining.

BRUSH AND ROLL:

• Apply primers and finish coats to bulkheads, overheads, doors, structural members, foundations, edges, corners, welds, and inaccessible areas.

• Perform stripe coating and touch-up while preventing runs, sags, lap marks, holidays, contamination, and excessive buildup.

LABORER / PREPARATION:

• Perform masking, containment, material movement, cleaning, scraping, sanding, feathering, approved hand- and power-tool cleaning, vacuuming, housekeeping, cleanup, and restoration.

DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP:

• Mentor less-experienced employees, organize small work groups, anticipate material and equipment needs, communicate with the Lead, take ownership of assigned spaces, and set the example for safety, attendance, quality, and productivity.

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Qualifications

Ability to read and write effectively.

High school diploma or equivalent

Minimum of 2 years’ experience direct work as a marine painter 2nd class

Experience reviewing coating requirements and product data

Experience spraying selecting proper spray equipment applying primers, intermediate coats, topcoats and approved coating systems to Military Ships.

Pump Operator experience and understanding

Marine Pump operator experience preferred

Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Strong attention to detail and commitment to workplace safety.

Leadership experience preferred

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.

Lift and carry up to 60 pounds.

Ability to work in confined spaces.

Continuous visual awareness and mental focus.

Ability to work 8–12-hour shifts.

Availability to work 5–7 days per week, including overtime as needed.

Employment Requirements

Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening.

Required physical examination and respirator fit testing.

Subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Background check, including verification of the past seven years of employment history.

Benefits

At Mills Marine, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We offer a competitive compensation package based on experience, along with industry-leading benefits that support you and your family.

Benefits Include

Competitive pay based on experience

Paid vacation accrual

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Company-paid life and accidental death insurance

Optional life and disability insurance

Legal Resource Benefit

401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match

Full-time, long-term employment opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer

Mills Marine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

Proud V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) Certified Employer is proud to be a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer committed to hiring talented individuals who value safety, teamwork, and excellence. If you're dependable, safety-focused, and ready to work in a fast-paced shipyard environment, we encourage you to apply.