Powder Coat Operator

bout Us

South Bay Solutions is a high-precision machine shop, making parts for semiconductor, medical devices, and advanced tech hardware. Our tolerances are measured in microns, our equipment is top-of-the-line, and our team is passionate about quality craftsmanship.

Position Summary

South Bay Solutions is seeking an experienced Powder Coating Operator to launch our in-house powder coating department.

This individual will perform all aspects of the powder coating process including:

- Part preparation

- Hanging

- Powder application

- Oven operation

- Cure verification

- Quality inspection

The ideal candidate has experience coating high-value precision machined components where cosmetic appearance and coating performance are equally critical.

Essential Responsibilities

- Read work orders/job travelers and drawings and coating specifications.

- Prepare machined components for coating.

- Hang parts for optimal coverage and curing.

- Set up and operate electrostatic powder coating equipment.

- Select proper powder types.

- Adjust:

Air pressure

- Voltage

- Powder flow

- Gun settings

- Maintain consistent film thickness.

- Understand Faraday cage effect and coating challenges.

- Operate curing oven.

- Verify cure schedules.

- Monitor:

Metal temperature

- Oven profile

- Cure time

- Perform visual inspections.

- Measure coating thickness.

- Identify coating defects including:

Orange peel

- Pinholes

- Back ionization

- Thin coverage

- Heavy buildup

- Maintain equipment.

- Perform daily preventive maintenance.

- Troubleshoot coating issues.

- Maintain production records.

Required Qualifications

- 3+ years powder coating experience

- Experience coating aluminum

- Experience operating batch ovens

- Knowledge of electrostatic application

- Understanding of cure schedules

- Ability to read drawings

- Experience with quality inspections

Preferred Qualifications

- Wagner/Gema powder coating equipment

- Lean Manufacturing

- Forklift certification

Technical Knowledge

Candidate should understand:

- Grounding

- Electrostatic theory

- Film thickness

- Cure schedules

- Metal temperature

- Oven profiling

- Hanging techniques

- Rack design

- Transfer efficiency

- Powder reclaim

- Surface contamination

- Surface preparation

- Pretreatment principles

- Coating adhesion

Physical Requirements

- Lift up to 50 lbs

- Frequent standing

- Respirator use

- Heat exposure

- PPE compliance

Schedule

Day Shift | Monday – Friday | 6:00 AM – 2:35 PM

Benefits

- Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)

- Life insurance policy

- Safe Harbor 401(K) plan

- 401(k) match

- Paid time off (vacation/sick/holidays/floating holiday)

- Referral program