Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Painter

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Painter is a skilled tradesperson responsible for the preparation, masking, application, and finishing of high-performance coatings on aircraft structures, engine components and associated aerospace assemblies. The role requires expert knowledge of surface preparation (chemical and mechanical), masking techniques, paint mixing and application using conventional, HVLP and electrostatic spray systems, and strict adherence to aerospace specifications, safety protocols and quality assurance processes. The Jet Painter works closely with maintenance, composites and quality teams to deliver durable, regulatory-compliant finishes that meet corrosion prevention and cosmetic standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) support roles
Industrial/Automotive Painter with aerospace exposure
Composite or sheetmetal technician transitioning into finishing

Advancement To:

Lead Jet Painter / Paint Shop Supervisor
Quality Inspector – Coatings (Aerospace)
Paint Process Engineer / Paint Technician Trainer

Lateral Moves:

Corrosion Control Specialist
Surface Treatment / Chemical Stripping Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Prepare aircraft surfaces and components for painting by performing detailed inspection, chemical stripping, abrasive and media blasting, sanding, feathering, and solvent cleaning to meet aerospace surface preparation standards and OEM/airline MRO specifications.
Read and interpret technical work orders, engineering drawings, paint system specifications (MIL‑STD, Boeing, Airbus, OEM), Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and safety data to develop a compliant painting plan for each jet, nacelle or accessory.
Perform precise masking and masking removal on complex airframe geometries and composite interfaces using tapes, sealants, and protective coverings to prevent overspray and ensure clean paint lines that meet tolerance and cosmetic standards.
Mix, thin and match multi‑component coating systems (epoxy primers, polyurethane topcoats, anti‑corrosion primers, sealants) using weight/volume ratios and color match processes (spectrophotometer usage), ensuring batch traceability and adherence to pot life and curing requirements.
Set up, maintain and operate spray equipment including HVLP, conventional, airless and electrostatic spray guns; balance air pressure, nozzle selection and atomization to achieve specified film build, dry times and finish quality.
Apply primers, basecoats, topcoats, clearcoats and specialty coatings to achieve required film thickness, appearance and corrosion protection, conducting in‑process thickness checks with dry film gauges and ensuring compliance with specified mils.
Conduct intermediate and final sanding, buffing and polishing operations to remove defects, orange peel and runs, and deliver a uniform, high‑quality surface finish consistent with OEM aesthetic standards.
Perform adhesion testing, cross‑cut tests, solvent rub and color acceptance checks; document results in quality reports and initiate corrective actions when coating performance deviates from acceptance criteria.
Follow curing procedures including ambient, forced air and oven curing; monitor ambient conditions (temperature, humidity) and use environmental controls (dehumidification, filtration) to ensure proper cure and finish consistency.
Maintain cleanroom and controlled environment protocols where required for composite and avionics sensitive assemblies, preventing contamination and maintaining ESD and particulate control standards during coating applications.
Adhere to hazardous materials handling, storage and disposal procedures for paints, thinners, primers and solvents in accordance with OSHA, EPA and company environmental policies; maintain accurate chemical inventory and waste logs.
Execute corrosion control treatments and inspections as part of paint repairs and overhaul workscopes, including removal of corrosion, neutralization, priming and reapplication of protective coatings to restore structural integrity.
Collaborate with structural, composites and inspection teams to sequence paint operations within aircraft maintenance turnarounds, minimizing rework, reducing aircraft downtime and meeting scheduled delivery milestones.
Train, mentor and provide on‑the‑job coaching for junior painters and apprentices on best practices for masking, mixing, spray technique, safety procedures and quality expectations.
Maintain detailed process documentation, paint records and traceability logs for each aircraft or component to support regulatory audits, warranty requirements and continuous improvement initiatives.
Troubleshoot paint defects and finish irregularities (sags, runs, fisheyes, orange peel, solvent popping) by diagnosing root cause (substrate contamination, improper mix, environmental factors) and implementing corrective measures and process improvements.
Implement and participate in shop floor continuous improvement programs (5S, Kaizen) focused on reducing waste, improving cycle times and enhancing finish quality while maintaining compliance with aerospace standards.
Coordinate with supply chain and procurement to ensure availability of approved coatings, primers, masking media and consumables; recommend alternative materials and cost‑saving substitutions when approved by engineering.
Perform detailed strip and refinish operations for patch repairs, touch‑ups and full‑aircraft repaints, ensuring color continuity and blending techniques meet customer and OEM acceptance.
Use digital tools and paint management software to log job status, track coating lot numbers, record cure schedules and upload inspection evidence to the maintenance management system (MMS/CMMS).
Participate in paint-related non-conformance investigations, author corrective action reports (CARs), and support FAA/EASA/Company audits by providing technical testimony and evidence of compliance.
Maintain equipment calibration and preventive maintenance schedules for spray booths, environmental controls, pumps and measuring devices to ensure consistent coating performance and reduce downtime.

Secondary Functions

Support production scheduling by estimating paint process times, resource needs, and sequencing to optimize bay utilization and minimize aircraft AOG impact.
Assist with inventory control and receiving of paints, primers and specialty chemicals; verify shipment documentation and storage conditions for traceability and compliance.
Help develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions and training materials to reflect new coating technologies and regulatory changes.
Participate in safety audits, hazard assessments and emergency response drills related to flammable liquids and spray booth operations.
Assist engineering and quality teams with materials testing and pilot trials for new coating systems, application methods and surface treatments.
Provide ad-hoc technical support to production teams during high-volume repaint campaigns or complex blend and color match requests.
Contribute to cross-functional root cause analyses and continuous improvement projects by delivering field-level knowledge of coating behavior and application constraints.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert in surface preparation techniques: chemical stripping, media blasting (glass bead, soda, aluminum oxide), sanding and feathering for composite and metallic substrates.
Proficient with spray application equipment: HVLP, conventional, airless, and electrostatic spray systems; ability to set up, tune and troubleshoot spray guns and pumps.
Strong experience mixing and applying two‑component (2K) epoxy primers, polyurethane topcoats, zinc chromate alternatives, and specialty corrosion inhibitors with accurate weight/volume measurements and pot life management.
Knowledge of aerospace paint specifications and standards (MIL‑PRF, FAA, OEM specifications such as Boeing and Airbus finishing documents).
Ability to perform coating thickness measurement (dry film gauges), adhesion tests, cross‑cut testing and color verification using spectrophotometers.
Familiarity with environmental control systems for paint booths, including temperature/humidity control, filtration maintenance and volatile organic compound (VOC) management.
Experience with masking techniques and materials for complex geometries and composite interfaces to ensure protective coverage and precise paint lines.
Skilled in identifying and correcting common paint defects (fisheyes, solvent pop, orange peel, runs, sagging) with practical remediation methods.
Competent with safety and hazardous material handling practices, including OSHA HAZWOPER basics, MSDS/SDS interpretation and proper storage and disposal of flammable/regulated materials.
Working knowledge of paint-related digital tools and maintenance management systems for recordkeeping, tracking lot numbers and cure schedules.
Basic mechanical aptitude to safely disassemble/reassemble small components and to move/rig and secure parts for painting and curing.
Experience in shop floor continuous improvement methodologies (5S, Lean, Kaizen) as applied to finishing and coatings operations.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and a perfectionist approach to finish quality and cosmetic standards.
Excellent communication skills for coordinating cross-functional work with maintenance, quality and engineering teams.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to diagnose coating failures and implement lasting corrective actions.
Time management and scheduling ability to prioritize multiple aircraft or component jobs to meet turnaround deadlines.
Teaching and mentoring capability to develop junior painters and apprentices.
Reliability and discipline to follow strict safety protocols and regulatory requirements.
Adaptability to work in fast‑paced maintenance environments and to respond to urgent AOG repaint or touch‑up requirements.
Team orientation with a collaborative approach to continuous improvement and process optimization.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent; vocational/trade school background in painting, coatings technology or aircraft maintenance preferred.

Preferred Education:

Technical certificate in coatings technology, industrial painting, or aviation maintenance (AMT) program coursework.
Additional coursework or certification in hazardous materials handling, spray application, or industrial safety.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Industrial Coatings & Paint Technology
Composite Materials and Repair

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–8 years of progressive experience in industrial or aerospace painting, finishing or surface treatment environments.

Preferred: 4+ years of direct aviation/aircraft painting experience with documented exposure to OEM/NDT/quality processes, color matching for airline liveries, and experience working to FAA/EASA regulatory standards. Certifications such as OSHA 10/30, hazardous materials training, or manufacturer-approved coating training are a plus.