Technical Finishing Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and oversight of powder coating operations, including application methods, curing, adhesion, film thickness control, and defect prevention.
• Optimize coating line parameters to improve yield, consistency, throughput, and cost efficiency.
• Troubleshoot and resolve coating defects such as poor adhesion, pinholes, orange peel, discoloration, or uneven coverage.
• Support new product introductions, coating trials, and finish development for HVAC components and related metal parts.
• Lead and support a team of powder coating technicians responsible for operating and manually applying coatings and maintaining related equipment.
• Manage and optimize surface pre-treatment processes, including cleaning, degreasing, rinsing, and conversion coatings.
• Maintain and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for pre-treatment systems.
• Collaborate with chemical suppliers and vendors to improve performance, reduce cost, and minimize environmental impact.
• Lead or support a small hourly team responsible for pre-treatment system operation and upkeep.
• Oversee wastewater treatment systems associated with finishing and pre-treatment operations.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
• Monitor discharge parameters, sampling, testing, and required documentation.
• Support internal audits, regulatory inspections, and environmental reporting requirements.
• Drive initiatives to reduce water usage, chemical consumption, and waste generation.
• Support and maintain quality management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or similar).
• Develop process controls, inspection methods, and documentation for finishing operations.
• Analyze quality data, scrap, and rework trends to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Participate in internal audits, customer audits, and corrective action processes.
• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Work closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, and Supply Chain teams.
• Train operators and technicians on finishing processes, quality standards, and safety requirements.
• Provide technical support for equipment upgrades, line modifications, and capital projects.
• Attend industry-specific training related to powder coating, surface pre-treatment, and finishing technologies to continuously improve plant capability and team skillsets.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Materials, Mechanical, Industrial, or related field) or equivalent experience.
• 3–7 years of experience in industrial finishing or coating operations, preferably supporting metal components or HVAC-related manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of: Powder coating systems and application processes Surface pre-treatment chemistry and equipment Industrial wastewater treatment systems Quality management systems and process controls
• Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in HVAC component manufacturing, metal fabrication, or high-volume discrete manufacturing.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or similar standards.
• Knowledge of environmental permitting and compliance requirements.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
• Experience working directly with coating, equipment, or chemical suppliers.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on, detail-oriented approach to process optimization.
• Able to interpret technical data, specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.