Aircraft Painter - (Various Shifts) (Full Time)

Join the Piper Team

Piper Aircrafts worldwide headquarters is based in beautiful Vero Beach, FL, located just a few miles from the Atlantic Coast. We are the largest private employer in Indian River County and offer exciting and enriching careers. We aim to be the best, and its only natural that we strive to recruit the best people to help us achieve our goals. After all, our company never stands still. Thats why we provide a supportive team-working environment where each individuals needs are respected. No matter what role youre in, youll help us make the most of our business, and well help you make the most of your career. So, make Piper Aircraft your ultimate destination. Together, well go further than you ever thought possible.

Piper Aircraft is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.

Current Openings

If youre a current Piper Employee, click here to view available positions.

Available Positions

• Aircraft Painter - Various Shifts (Full Time)
• Department: All Openings
• Job Description:
• Assists the Supervisor in the production of high-quality aircraft parts & subassemblies following Piper Drawings Process Specifications PPS and other manufacturing instructions.
• Assists in meeting or exceeding planned production and delivery schedules while maximizing company resources to achieve company goals.
• Essential Job Functions:
• Follow established work procedures to minimize unnecessary rework and/or scrap.
• Assist with layout and masking of paint scheme under supervision of senior painter.
• Carefully remove masking from aircraft and parts.
• Clean and inspect windows.
• Prepare aircraft for washing and thoroughly wash to remove all contamination sources.
• Remove and install hardware cowls and access panels.
• Water spray down entire paint booth prior to application of coatings.
• Assist in the removal and installation of control surfaces as required.
• Safely move aircraft through work spaces and paint booths by hand and with support equipment.
• Follow established work procedures to minimize unnecessary rework and/or scrap.
• Make required record entries in logs, forms, and work orders per QP and department-specific requirements.
• Report machine/equipment malfunctions to senior painter or Supervisor.
• Use various hand tools provided by department, maintaining accountability as specified by SMP policy.
• Willingness to temporarily be assigned to other departments to assist in aircraft production.
• Must be able to perform all tasks while wearing respirator as required.
• Complete preventive maintenance on tools, equipment, and paint booths as directed.
• Continuously monitor inside of aircraft and outside areas for foreign objects and debris as defined by Piper SMP policy.
• Operate department-specific support equipment as required.
• Adjust work processes and shift schedules/hours to meet production schedules as determined by the supervisor or manager.
• Partner with senior teammates within career path to receive and share practical knowledge for proper training to perform necessary job functions and requirements in order to attain satisfactory levels of performance and production effectiveness.
• Adhere and maintain all departmental compliance requirements, such as Safety, Environmental Protection, FOD, and Tool Control 5S and other assigned programs.
• Perform duties as assigned by supervision.

Aircraft Painter II - 26.39hr

• Assists the Supervisor in the production of high-quality aircraft parts & subassemblies following Piper Drawings Process Specifications PPS and other manufacturing instructions.
• Assists in meeting or exceeding planned production and delivery schedules while maximizing company resources to achieve company goals.
• Essential Job Functions:
• Perform and verify satisfactory water break test.
• Carefully sand aircraft without damaging aircraft structure, including skins and rivets.
• Mix and apply various filling compounds and sealants to fill and fair gaps, joints, steps, and low spots.
• Blow tack and solvent wash aircraft and parts prior to each coating application.
• Remove and temporarily install ailerons as required for paint layout.
• Apply initial coatings to small sections of aircraft and small parts, including wheel covers, closeouts, gas caps, bezels, etc.
• Sand, prepare, and perform touch-up painting of solid colors on previously painted areas of small parts or small areas of aircraft, i.e., landing gear doors, wheel wells, door handles.
• Properly mask and prep for coating applications per aircraft purchase order requirements, re-masking between applications where necessary.
• Perform record and approve DFT checks with calibrated equipment.
• Prepare and paint door-jambs.
• Assist quality control with final inspection and rework non-conformities as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain necessary Piper Acceptance stamps required for the position.
• Must be able to perform all tasks while wearing respirator as required.
• Ability to and willingness to receive and share practical knowledge, train, and mentor teammates within career path to perform necessary job functions and requirements in order to attain satisfactory levels of performance and production effectiveness.
• Adhere, maintain, and assist teammates within career path to all departmental compliance requirements, such as Safety, Environmental Protection, FOD, and Tool Control 5S and other assigned programs.
• Perform duties of lower graded position within Career Path and other duties as assigned by supervision.

Aircraft Painter III - 30.62hr

• Assists the Supervisor in the production of high-quality aircraft parts & subassemblies following Piper Drawings Process Specifications PPS and other manufacturing instructions.
• Assists in meeting or exceeding planned production and delivery schedules while maximizing company resources to achieve company goals.
• Essential Job Functions:
• Perform minor fiberglass repair as needed.
• Track Shelf Life of mixed material to ensure proper disposal when required.
• Sand, prepare, and perform touch-up painting of trim lines and solid base colors on large areas of aircraft.
• Complete fluid flow checks.
• Mix and apply primer, surfacer, base coats, and clear coats to aircraft and aircraft parts.
• Perform hydro dipping preparation and application on small parts.
• Diligently inspect record findings and flag aircraft paint for defects and blemishes prior to final application of clear coat.
• Inspect and mark aircraft for areas needing body work prior to each phase of coating application.
• Manage and track all paint-related materials for Shelf Life and control First In First Out (FIFO) processes.
• Review signed aircraft paint scheme to ensure proper masking, color mixing, and color application of all aircraft coatings.
• Work in conjunction with Purchasing and Production Control to manage material inventory.
• Perform and complete inspections and acceptance of aircraft preparation for coating applications.
• Working knowledge of Windows-based computers and programs are necessary to perform the duties of this position.
• Working knowledge of the PACT system and SFIS as related to Piper.
• Ability to and willingness to receive and share practical knowledge, train, cross-train, and mentor teammates within career path to perform necessary job functions and requirements in order to attain satisfactory levels of performance and production effectiveness.
• Adhere, maintain, and assist teammates within career path to all departmental compliance requirements, such as Safety, Environmental Protection, FOD, and Tool Control 5S and other assigned programs.
• Perform duties of lower graded position within Career Path and other duties as assigned by supervision.

Senior Aircraft Painter - 34.84hr

• Assists the Supervisor in the production of high-quality aircraft parts & subassemblies following Piper Drawings Process Specifications PPS and other manufacturing instructions.
• Assists in meeting or exceeding planned production and delivery schedules while maximizing company resources to achieve company goals.
• Essential Job Functions:
• Sand, prepare, and perform touch-up painting of complex designs and metallic or pearl-based paints over large areas.
• Assist engineering and marketing disciplines in developing the implementation of new processes and materials.
• Work cross-functionally with other business disciplines to identify failure root causes and prevention methods.
• Works with other manufacturing areas to ensure production readiness for design changes.
• Work as a manufacturing representative during FAA inspection and auditing of manufacturing processes.
• Serves as lead with the ability to guide and willingness to receive and share practical knowledge, train, cross-train, and mentor teammates within career path to perform necessary job functions and requirements in order to attain satisfactory levels of performance and production effectiveness.
• Adhere, maintain, and assist teammates within career path to all departmental compliance requirements, such as Safety, Environmental Protection, FOD, and Tool Control 5S and other assigned programs.
• Perform audits of areas within the department as required to maintain compliance with all FAA and Piper operational requirements.
• Initiate related operational process or procedural corrective action or request additional assistance from leadership or other support teams where necessary.
• Perform duties of lower graded position within Career Path and other duties as assigned by supervision.

Career Path Minimum Position Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• High school diploma or equivalent or equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of high school diploma.
• Related precision painter experience requirements:
• Aircraft Painter I: 1 year of experience
• Aircraft Painter II: 1-2 years of experience
• Aircraft Painter III: 2-5 years of experience
• Senior Aircraft Painter: 5 years of experience
• Ability to work scheduled shift and hours, including overtime.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to use hand