Painter at GTA Containers Inc. – South Bend, Indiana

GTA Containers, a leading defense contractor, is seeking a motivated Painter to join our manufacturing team. The candidate will need to be a skill industrial painter and will be responsible for preparing, priming, masking, and painting components and assemblies in strict accordance with customer, military, and internal specifications. Because our products support critical defense applications, this position requires exceptional attention to detail, a strong commitment to quality, and unwavering adherence to established processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare surfaces for coating by cleaning, sanding, masking, and applying primers per required specifications.
• Mix paints, primers, and coating materials to precise ratios and technical requirements.
• Apply coatings using spray, brush, and other approved methods to achieve uniform coverage and meet military and OEM standards.
• Inspect finished work for defects, thickness compliance, surface quality, and overall cosmetic and functional accuracy.
• Follow detailed work instructions, drawings, specifications, and process sheets—including Mil-Spec and customer-specific criteria.
• Maintain accurate documentation of material usage, batch numbers, and quality checks in accordance with defense manufacturing requirements.
• Perform masking and demasking operations to prevent overspray and ensure clean, defined edges.
• Operate and maintain paint equipment, spray booths, ovens, and mixing stations safely and efficiently.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance to resolve issues and support root-cause analysis when required.
• Uphold strict compliance with safety, environmental, and hazardous material handling procedures.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency, and paint process reliability.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent preferred
• Previous industrial painting experience required; experience in aerospace, defense, or similarly regulated industries strongly preferred.
• Understanding of surface preparation, coating systems, and application techniques.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and process documentation.
• Familiarity with Mil-Spec painting/coating standards is a plus.
• Strong focus on quality, consistency, and process discipline.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment supporting mission-critical defense programs.
• Knowledge of safe handling of chemicals, solvents, and hazardous materials.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.

Attributes for Success:

• High attention to detail and craftsmanship.
• Strong responsibility toward quality and compliance.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and maintain strong process control.

Work Environment:

• Strong teamwork and communication skills, especially when handling heavy or oversized materials.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and safely maneuver large materials as part of a team; physical stamina to perform repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, and prolonged standing.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Problem-solving skills to address production challenges.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development and training opportunities.

Join Our Mission:

Be part of a team that supports national defense and delivers high-performance systems to our military partners. If you're driven by purpose, precision, and performance, we want to hear from you.