FM Powder Coating Operator

Job Title: Powder Coating Operator

Department Name: Powder Coat

Reports to (title): Lead

Business Unit: Fort Mill

Job Summary: The Powder Coating Operator is responsible for operating both automatic and manual powder coating equipment to produce high-quality finished parts. This role ensures proper surface preparation, consistent coating application, accurate curing, and adherence to safety and quality standards. The ideal candidate has strong attention to detail, solid mechanical aptitude, and hands-on experience in a production finishing environment.

Essential Job Functions:

Automatic Booth & Line Operation

• Operate automatic powder coating booths, guns, and conveyor systems.
• Select and load pre-programmed coating recipes for different part types.
• Adjust basic gun settings (KV, microamps, powder flow, air pressure) within approved limits.
• Monitor HMI/PLC screens for system status, alarms, and part counts.
• Perform routine color changes, booth blow-downs, and reclaim cleanouts.
• Ensure proper gun positioning and identify areas requiring manual touch-up.
• Maintain correct part spacing, orientation, and racking on the conveyor.

Manual Powder Coating

• Apply powder manually using proper spray-gun techniques.
• Achieve consistent film thickness using gauges and visual inspection.
• Coat complex geometries and address Faraday cage areas.
• Perform touch-ups and blend manual coating with automatic coverage.
• Identify and correct common coating defects such as light coverage, orange peel, or back-ionization.

Pretreatment & Surface Preparation

• Operate pretreatment washers and verify proper cleaning, rinsing, and chemical stages.
• Perform basic titrations, pH checks, and temperature checks when required.
• Inspect parts for cleanliness, rust, oil, or other contaminants.
• Operate media blasting equipment when needed.

Oven & Curing Control

• Load and unload parts from curing ovens safely.
• Verify cure schedules and ensure parts reach required time-at-temperature.
• Recognize signs of under-cure or over-cure and report issues promptly.

Quality Control

• Measure film thickness using DFT gauges.
• Perform basic adhesion or MEK cure tests when required.
• Inspect coated parts for defects such as pinholes, fisheyes, contamination, or excessive build.
• Follow quality standards and document inspection results accurately.

Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Clean and maintain powder guns, nozzles, hoses, pumps, and booth filters.
• Identify poor fluidization, pulsing, or inconsistent powder flow.
• Ensure proper grounding of racks, hooks, and parts.
• Report equipment issues and assist with basic troubleshooting.
• Maintain environmental cleanliness and organization, especially in powder rooms/booths

Material Handling & Line Support

• Load and unload parts on the conveyor line.
• Maintain powder inventory at the booth and follow proper storage practices.
• Use FIFO rotation to prevent moisture contamination.
• Organize racks, hooks, and hangers for efficient workflow.

Documentation & Communication

• Record film thickness, oven temperatures, washer checks, and production counts.
• Follow established SOPs for coating, color changes, and equipment cleaning.
• Communicate quality issues, equipment problems, or material shortages to the lead or supervisor.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• 1–3+ years of powder coating experience (automatic or manual).
• Understanding of electrostatic spray principles and curing processes.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions, SOPs, and quality standards.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify coating defects.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort working with production equipment.
• Ability to stand, lift, bend, and work in a manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of workplace safety and quality standards 
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday 
• Ability to frequently bend, stoop, reach, and move throughout the production and warehouse areas 
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25–50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation 
• Ability to work in a manufacturing and distribution environment with exposure to noise, moving machinery, forklifts, and varying temperatures 
• Ability to visually inspect materials, labels, and production documentation accurately 
• Ability to use computers, handheld scanners, and other office or warehouse equipment as needed 
• Ability to safely navigate production floors and warehouse environments while following all safety procedures 
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, or flexible schedules as business needs require

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to 

Required Skills & Abilities:

1–3+ years of powder coating experience (automatic or manual).

Understanding of electrostatic spray principles and curing processes.

Ability to read and follow work instructions, SOPs, and quality standards.

Strong attention to detail and ability to identify coating defects.

Mechanical aptitude and comfort working with production equipment.

Ability to stand, lift, bend, and work in a manufacturing environment.

Understanding of workplace safety and quality standards 

High school diploma or equivalent preferred

Physical Requirements:

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday 

Ability to frequently bend, stoop, reach, and move throughout the production and warehouse areas 

Ability to lift and carry up to 25–50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation 

Ability to work in a manufacturing and distribution environment with exposure to noise, moving machinery, forklifts, and varying temperatures 

Ability to visually inspect materials, labels, and production documentation accurately 

Ability to use computers, handheld scanners, and other office or warehouse equipment as needed 

Ability to safely navigate production floors and warehouse environments while following all safety procedures 

Ability to work overtime, weekends, or flexible schedules as business needs require