DI-NOC Application Technician in Bogart, Georgia at Ulm Automotive LLC

Company: Ulm Automotive LLC

Department: Production

Reports to: Production Manager

Location: Bogart, GA (on-site)

Employment type: Full-time, hourly, non-exempt; paid weekly

Direct reports: None

Position Summary

The DI-NOC Application Technician owns the finished surfaces in every vehicle we build. Ulm converts incomplete Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis into luxury passenger vehicles, and the wood-grain, metal, carbon, and textured finishes on cabinets, consoles, panels, and trim are applied as 3M DI-NOC architectural finish film over fabricated substrates. Done well, the finish is indistinguishable from the real material and survives years of passenger use. Done poorly, it is the first thing a customer notices.

This technician prepares substrates, applies and post-heats film on flat, curved, and compound surfaces, finishes edges and returns, and inspects the result to a luxury standard. It is a specialist seat on the production line and the floor's expert on film application.

Key Responsibilities

Surface Preparation

• Inspect and prepare substrates for film: fill, sand, seal, and prime cabinets, panels, and trim pieces so no defect telegraphs through the finish.
• Apply 3M primer and adhesion promoters to the specification for the substrate, including edges, returns, and low-energy surfaces.
• Verify substrate temperature, humidity, and cleanliness before application and keep the application area to the standard.

Film Application

• Measure, plan, and cut DI-NOC film for yield and grain direction; match grain and pattern across adjacent parts so an assembled cabinet reads as one piece.
• Apply film on flat, curved, and compound surfaces without bubbles, lifts, stretch marks, or grain distortion; wrap edges and returns cleanly and post-heat to the 3M specification so the film stays down.
• Trim, seal edges, and finish corners and cutouts (hardware, lighting, vents) to a clean, invisible line.
• Repair and refinish film damaged in production or returned under warranty.

Quality and Documentation

• Inspect every finished part under proper lighting for adhesion, edge lift, bubbles, grain match, and color consistency; rework what does not meet the standard.
• Log film lot numbers and primer batches on the build record so finish issues can be traced.
• Track film yield and scrap; feed usage data and material issues to Purchasing.
• Report substrate or design problems that make a clean application impossible back to fabrication and Engineering.

Training and Support

• Serve as the floor's reference on film application; train production technicians on prep, handling, and touch-up at adjacent stations.
• Support sample and prototype builds for Engineering, R&D, and design partners during color, material, and finish selection.
• Keep the application area, tools, film stock, and primers organized, labeled, and within shelf life.

Safety and Housekeeping

• Follow all shop safety rules for heat guns, blades, primers, and solvents; wear required PPE and keep the station to the 5S standard.
• Report injuries, near misses, and unsafe conditions immediately.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on architectural finish film, vehicle wrap, or comparable adhesive film application, including compound curves, edges, and returns.
• Demonstrated skill with 3M DI-NOC or equivalent architectural films, including primer systems and post-heating.
• Experience preparing wood, MDF, composite, plastic, and metal substrates for film.
• Eye for grain match, pattern alignment, and finish consistency at the luxury level.
• Ability to read drawings and finish specifications and to work from a build schedule.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds, stand for a full shift, and work inside a vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3M Preferred Installer or comparable manufacturer certification for architectural or vehicle films.
• Experience in vehicle interiors, executive shuttles, marine, or aircraft cabin finishing.
• Paint protection film, window film, or paint prep and finishing experience.
• Experience training other installers.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.

Competencies

• Finish quality - the surface reads as the real material and holds up under a customer's hand.
• Patience and precision - takes the time to prep and plan so the application goes on once.
• Material discipline - plans cuts for yield and grain, tracks scrap, and manages shelf life.
• Teaching - raises the standard of adjacent stations on prep and handling.
• Ownership - the station's quality is this person's, not something inspected in later.

Success in the First 12 Months

• 90 days: Station set up to the 3M application standard. Prep and application procedures documented for the current cabinet and panel designs. Film lots logged on every unit.
• 6 months: Finish first-time-through is measured and improving. Film yield tracked and scrap reduced. At least one production technician trained on prep and touch-up.
• 12 months: Every unit ships with film finishes to the master standard, with no warranty returns for lift or bubbling, and the station is staffed and trained for the planned volume.

Physical & Work Environment

Full shift on an active production floor with exposure to noise, machinery, primers, solvents, and standard plant conditions; PPE is required in designated areas. Frequent bench work, heat gun use, reaching, kneeling, and work inside vehicle interiors.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly rate: $22.00 to $30.00 per hour, commensurate with certification and demonstrated skill
• Overtime paid at time and a half over 40 hours in the workweek
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off and holidays; tool, 3M training, and certification support

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ulm Automotive, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.