Lead Painter / Surface Finishing Technician

Tips: Own all painting and surface finishing operations for DTI UAV airframes and components. Responsible for primer application, topcoat, camouflage schemes, markings, protective coatings, and compliance with ATEX and COSHH safety regulations within the spray booth.

Responsibilities

▸ Plan and execute all painting operations from surface preparation through to final inspection

▸ Mix primers, topcoats, and hardeners to approved colour and viscosity specifications

▸ Operate GRACO electrostatic spray system and HVLP guns for uniform coating application

▸ Manage IR curing lamp array and monitor cure times and film build-up

▸ Verify coating quality using digital film thickness gauge and spectrophotometer

▸ Operate Roland stencil cutter for all serial numbers, unit markings, and camouflage stencils

▸ Maintain ATEX booth safety: filter changes, airflow monitoring, solvent safety compliance

▸ Train Paint Technician (Saudi national) as part of localisation programme

▸ Maintain paint consumption records, shelf-life log, and COSHH assessments

Qualifications

Paint / surface finishing trade qualification · Aerospace coating experience preferred · Colour vision test (Ishihara) pass · ATEX awareness certificate