Painter
Built on Experience. Built for Skill. Built for You.
Keel was formed by bringing together three industry leaders combining generations of hands-on expertise in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.
That means when you join Keel, you’re joining a team backed by decades of proven craftsmanship and real-world results.
We build ships, defense systems, aerospace components, and heavy steel structures that serve critical missions — and we do it with pride.
Your Mission:
This position is for an experienced industrial painter who works independently to prepare, paint, and finish metal products, boats, ships, machinery, and manufactured items. The role requires advanced painting skills, knowledge of industrial coatings and surface preparation, operation of spray-painting equipment, color matching, equipment maintenance, and the ability to complete complex painting tasks with minimal supervision.
Explore the Depth of the Role:
- Prepare surfaces for painting by cleaning, sanding, scraping, and repairing as needed.
- Mix and apply paints, coatings, and finishes according to specifications.
- Operate spray-painting equipment, brushes, rollers, and related tools.
- Perform industrial painting on metal products, machinery, boats, ships, and manufactured items.
- Adjust spray equipment to achieve proper coverage and finish quality.
- Inspect finished work and perform touch-ups as required.
- Clean and maintain painting equipment, tools, and work areas.
- Follow safety procedures and quality standards.
- Plan and complete assigned work with minimal supervision.
- Utilize advanced industrial painting knowledge and techniques to complete complex painting projects.
Mission Readiness:
- High school diploma or GED preferred.
- May require completion of an apprenticeship or formal training in industrial painting or a related field.
- Minimum of 4 years of experience in industrial painting or a related trade.
- Advanced knowledge of painting techniques, surface preparation, coating application, and spray-painting equipment.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Advanced industrial painting and surface preparation skills.
- Proficiency in operating spray guns, brushes, rollers, and related painting equipment.
- Knowledge of paints, coatings, solvents, and finishing techniques.
- Ability to mix and match paint colors and finishes.
- Experience using air hoses, spray-painting systems, and sanding equipment.
- Ability to read and follow work instructions, specifications, and safety procedures.
- Strong attention to detail and quality workmanship.
- Ability to identify and correct painting defects or surface imperfections.
- Good problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Effective time management and organizational skills.
- Ability to safely handle painting materials, equipment, and tools.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Travel Requirements:
- Occasional travel between plants as needed.
Physical Requirements:
- May be required to stand, walk, sit, reach/pull/push with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel regularly.
- May lift or carry 50lbs. Weights exceeding 50lbs will require mechanical means to maneuver.
Become a part of our Builders and you too can...
- Uphold Safety and Quality Standards
- Embody Team Spirit
- Relentless Customer Focus
- Convey Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism
- Execute with Excellence and Velocity
What Keel will build for you:
- Comprehensive Benefit Package
- Competitive Pay
- 401K Match
- HSA/FSA
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off
- Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities
- Shift Differentials
- Overtime Potential
- Paid on the Job Training
- Certification Sponsorship Opportunities
- Committed to Individual Career Growth
- We Do Fun Things, Plus More!
Need Assistance?
If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the employment process, please email [email protected] with details about your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests are reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis. Please note that this email address is monitored only for inquiries related to reasonable accommodation requests.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans
What we build, builds us.
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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