Aircraft Paint Finish & Detail Technician

Job Title

Who are we?

As an aircraft manufacturer, industrialist, industrial service provider and logistician, Daher currently has approximately 14,500 employees and achieved a revenue of 1.9 billion euros in 2025. With its family ownership, Daher has been focused on innovation since its creation in 1863. With locations in 15 countries across Europe, North America and Asia, Daher designs and develops value-added solutions for its aeronautical and industrial customers and partners

Daher’s Sandpoint, Idaho site is a key U.S. aircraft manufacturing and support location specializing in the hand built production of the Kodiak aircraft family. The facility supports final assembly, painting, inspection, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities for the Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900, serving commercial, multi mission, and public service customers worldwide. In addition to manufacturing, the site provides comprehensive aircraft maintenance, technical support, and quality oversight, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations and customer requirements, while continuing to expand production capabilities and reinforcing its role as a center of excellence for rugged, mission ready turboprop aircraft within Daher’s global network.

Job Description:

Aircraft Paint Finish & Detail Technician plays a critical role in delivering the high-quality appearance, finish, and craftsmanship expected of Daher and Kodiak aircraft. This position supports all phases of the aircraft paint process, from paint layout and surface preparation through final detailing, finish protection, and quality inspection. The technician ensures all paint schemes, graphics, markings, and finishes are applied accurately to engineering specifications while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

This role requires exceptional attention to detail, precision, and pride in workmanship. The Aircraft Paint Finish & Detail Technician performs paint layout, masking, stencil fabrication, surface preparation, decal installation, polishing, detailing, touch-up work, and final appearance inspections to ensure every aircraft leaves the facility with a professional, customer-ready finish.

Primary Role and Responsibilities:

Paint Layout & Preparation

• Interpret paint drawings, specifications, and work instructions.
• Lay out and verify stripes, logos, placards, decals, and aircraft markings.
• Create and apply stencils, templates, and masking materials.
• Prepare aircraft surfaces through cleaning, sanding, scuffing, and chemical treatments.
• Apply primers, sealers, and corrosion protection coatings.
• Inspect layouts and prepared surfaces prior to paint application.

Finishing & Detailing

• Detail, polish, and protect aircraft interiors and exteriors.
• Install decals, graphics, registration markings, and placards.
• Buff and polish painted surfaces to achieve required finish standards.
• Perform paint touch-ups, cosmetic repairs, and defect removal.
• Prepare aircraft for customer delivery presentations.

Quality & Inspection

• Inspect paint layouts, graphics, and finished surfaces for quality and compliance.
• Identify, document, and help resolve finish discrepancies.
• Complete required quality records and work documentation.
• Support continuous improvement and customer satisfaction initiatives.

Teamwork & Safety

• Collaborate with painters, production, engineering, and quality teams.
• Follow all safety procedures and properly use required PPE.
• Safely handle paints, chemicals, and detailing products.
• Maintain clean, organized work areas and equipment.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement efforts.

What you need to have:

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Five (5) or more years of experience in aircraft painting, aircraft detailing, aerospace manufacturing, industrial coatings, or a closely related field.
• Ability to read, interpret, and follow engineering drawings, paint renderings, technical specifications, and work instructions.
• Demonstrated experience performing paint layout, masking, surface preparation, decal installation, detailing, and finish inspection activities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality workmanship.
• Ability to safely work with paints, primers, solvents, coatings, chemicals, and cleaning agents.
• Proficiency in the use of hand tools, electro static guns, measuring equipment, polishing tools, and detailing equipment.
• Strong communication, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions regarding workmanship and quality standards.
• Ability to obtain and maintain respirator certification and all required company training.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Seven (7) or more years of experience in aircraft paint, paint finishing, aircraft detailing, aerospace manufacturing, or related industries.
• Experience performing aircraft paint layout, stencil fabrication, registration marking placement, and graphic installation.
• Experience with paint correction, buffing, polishing, and finish restoration techniques.
• Working knowledge of FAA regulations, aerospace quality standards, and aircraft manufacturing processes.
• Experience applying decals, placards, vinyl graphics, and specialty aircraft markings.
• Familiarity with corrosion prevention and treatment procedures.
• Experience supporting aircraft delivery preparation and customer acceptance activities.
• Lean Manufacturing, 5S, or Continuous Improvement experience.
• Forklift, aerial lift, scaffold, fall protection, or similar equipment certifications.
• Previous experience mentoring or training others in paint finishing and detailing processes.

Work Environment

Work is performed in aircraft hangars, paint facilities, manufacturing environments, repair stations, flight lines, and outdoor settings. Employees may be exposed to moving mechanical equipment, paints, solvents, fuels, lubricants, noise, dust, fumes, airborne particles, and varying weather conditions. Strict adherence to safety procedures and proper use of personal protective equipment is required at all times.

Information related to the position:

• The compensation range is $30.00 to $40.00 per hour.
• The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Daher considers a number of factors when determining salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, skills, and current market conditions.
• At Daher, your total rewards package is more than just your base salary as we offer a full benefit package including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Life insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays and more.

All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. By completing an application with Daher, you are seeking to join a team of hardworking professionals dedicated to consistently delivering outstanding service to our customers and contributing to the financial success of the organization, its clients, and its employees. Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should contact an HR representative.

Daher complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law.