Job Description

Wastequip is seeking a skilled Industrial Painter I to join our manufacturing team in Salisbury, NC (AMREP Division). This position is responsible for preparing, priming, and painting refuse truck bodies, fabricated steel components, and assemblies using industrial coatings and airless spray equipment.

The ideal candidate is an experienced industrial painter who understands that quality extends beyond applying paint—it includes proper surface preparation, coating thickness, finish quality, equipment care, and maintaining a safe, efficient work environment. We are looking for someone who takes pride in craftsmanship, works well within a production team, and consistently delivers a high-quality finished product.

Pay Rate: $22.78

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare truck bodies, fabricated components, and assemblies for painting through cleaning, sanding, grinding, masking, and surface preparation.
• Mix paints, primers, hardeners, and coatings according to manufacturer specifications.
• Set up, adjust, and operate airless spray systems and other industrial painting equipment.
• Apply primers, base coats, and finish coats to achieve specified coverage, film thickness, and appearance.
• Measure and verify wet and dry film thickness to ensure coating specifications are met.
• Perform multi-color masking and paint applications on truck assemblies.
• Inspect painted surfaces for defects including:
  • Runs
  • Sags
  • Orange peel
  • Dry spray
  • Solvent pop
  • Uneven coverage
  • Contamination
• Perform touch-up, blending, polishing, and corrective work when necessary.
• Complete visual quality inspections prior to releasing parts to production.
• Maintain paint booths, spray guns, hoses, filters, and related equipment through daily cleaning and preventive maintenance.
• Safely move materials and components throughout the paint process.
• Support production schedules while maintaining Wastequip's quality standards.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities focused on safety, quality, efficiency, and waste reduction.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Experience

Industrial Painting Experience

• Minimum 2 years of industrial painting experience preferred.
• Experience painting heavy equipment, commercial trucks, trailers, agricultural equipment, fabricated steel, or similar products.
• Experience working in an industrial paint booth environment.

Technical Skills

• Experience operating:
  • Pressure pot paint sprayer
  • Conventional spray equipment
  • HVLP spray guns (preferred)
• Knowledge of proper surface preparation techniques.
• Ability to mix paints and coatings according to manufacturer specifications.
• Experience with masking techniques for complex, multi-color paint applications.
• Ability to properly clean and maintain paint equipment.
• Understanding of industrial coating systems including primers, urethanes, enamels, and epoxy coatings.

Quality Skills

Candidates should demonstrate the ability to:

• Produce consistent, high-quality paint finishes.
• Maintain proper coating thickness.
• Identify and correct common paint defects.
• Perform touch-up and blending repairs.
• Read and follow paint specifications and work instructions.
• Inspect finished products to ensure customer-quality expectations are met.

Safety Responsibilities

• Wear all required PPE including:
  • Respirators
  • Protective suits
  • Gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Hearing protection
• Successfully complete pulmonary function testing and respirator fit testing.
• Follow all OSHA, company, and site-specific safety requirements.
• Maintain a clean work area utilizing 5S principles.
• Safely operate cranes, lift systems, and material handling equipment as trained.
• Report unsafe conditions and participate in continuous safety improvements.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of industrial, automotive, truck, or heavy equipment painting experience (2+ years preferred).
• Experience using industrial spray equipment.
• Experience using sanding, grinding, and surface preparation tools.
• Ability to read work instructions and paint specifications.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Reliable attendance and strong work ethic.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience painting refuse trucks, utility equipment, trailers, or other heavy manufactured products.
• Knowledge of paint thickness measurement using wet or dry film gauges.
• Experience with industrial paint systems including epoxy, polyurethane, and enamel coatings.
• Experience with lean manufacturing or continuous improvement environments.
• Forklift and overhead crane certification (or willingness to become certified).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Frequently bend, kneel, reach, squat, and climb.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to wear a respirator and other required PPE for extended periods.
• Ability to work overtime as required to meet production schedules.

Company Benefits:

• 2 Medical Plan Options–Base PPO with HSA (High Deductible) and
  PPO Exclusive Medical Plans
• Prescription (Rx) Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental PPO Insurance Plan
• Vision Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Voluntary Accident & Critical Illness (Cancer) Insurance
• Company Paid Disability Insurance
  Company Paid Business Travel Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(K) Retirement Plan with 50% Company Match
• Vacation and Personal/Sick Time
• Paid Grandparent Leave
• Paid Bonding Leave
• Adoption Assistance
• Education Assistance (Tuition Reimbursement)
  

About Wastequip

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. with manufacturing and service facilities throughout North America, Wastequip is the leading North American manufacturer of waste handling equipment. Wastequip is the only manufacturer to offer a full line of steel and plastic products to collect, handle and transport just about any type of waste and recyclables.