Paint Engineer

Paint Materials Project Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on leading the planning, evaluation, and implementation of new paint materials, colors, and technologies for automotive Body Paint and Bumper Paint departments. You will manage area project schedules for new material trials, new model paint trials, cost reduction initiatives, and material performance improvements while supporting the development and transition of materials from lab concepts to full mass production.

Responsibilities

• Manage project schedules for new paint material trials, new model paint trials, cost reduction initiatives, and material performance improvements in the Paint Department.
• Lead planning, evaluations, and implementations for new colors and new materials in the Body Paint and Bumper Paint shops.
• Lead lab workability evaluations and on-line testing for new materials to ensure they meet production and quality requirements.
• Establish necessary process controls and parameters for new materials and technologies in a cross-functional environment.
• Lead materials-related problem-solving efforts across multiple divisions, ensuring timely resolution of issues impacting quality, cost, or delivery.
• Lead CPU (cost per unit) impact assessments for new materials and support cost reduction activities.
• Assess the environmental impact of new materials and technologies and incorporate findings into material selection and process decisions.
• Support paint application and production implementation activities for new paint materials and technologies.
• Support new model color launches, ensuring materials and processes are validated and ready for mass production.
• Manage the transition of materials from lab development to mass production, including coordination with production, quality, and engineering teams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, materials, process, and suppliers, to ensure successful launches and ongoing stability.
• Prepare and deliver clear reports and presentations using Excel and PowerPoint to communicate project status, trial results, and recommendations.
• Participate in production launch, scale-up, and change management activities related to paint materials and processes.
• Travel to other facilities, including locations in Mexico and Canada, to support trials, launches, and cross-site coordination as needed.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field or equivalent related experience.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Excel for data analysis and Microsoft PowerPoint for reporting and presentations.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and collaborate across multiple functions.
• 3 years of project management experience working across multiple functions, preferably in materials or manufacturing-related projects.
• 2 years of experience in color and appearance evaluations.
• 1 years of experience in paint design.
• Hands-on experience in a paint shop or automotive manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of paint application processes, especially topcoat.
• Experience with PLCs, troubleshooting, and programming in an industrial environment.
• Experience with robotics and robot programming for paint or related applications.
• Mechanical engineering or mechatronics background with practical application experience.
• Experience using 3D CAD tools such as AutoCAD, Catia, or SolidWorks.
• Experience with mechanical design and controls engineering concepts.
• Familiarity with industrial robots such as Kawasaki and FANUC.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, or Material Science.
• Experience in automotive manufacturing in paint production engineering.
• Experience in paint application evaluation for automotive or industrial applications.
• Experience in a paint laboratory performing workability evaluations.
• Automotive experience in any function such as production, materials, process, or supplier support.
• background in Chemical Engineering or Materials Engineering with exposure to production environments.
• Exposure to production launch, scale-up, or change management activities.
• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics.
• Experience with paint-focused robotics programming and integration.
• Ability to assess environmental impacts of new materials and technologies.
• Comfort working in long-term, project-based environments with extensive future work planned.

Work Environment

This role is 100% onsite, Monday through Friday, at a paint engineering and manufacturing center in Georgetown, KY. The position is focused on paint application and production implementation, including new paint material introductions for automotive production and support for new model color launches. You will work in a hands-on automotive manufacturing environment, frequently in paint shops and production areas, transitioning materials from lab development to mass production. The environment involves close collaboration with production, engineering, and laboratory teams, with a strong emphasis on topcoat paint application processes, production launch activities, scale-up, and change management. Steel-toe boots are required as part of the onsite dress code. Overtime is approximately 20%, and travel is around 30%, including trips to facilities in Mexico and Canada to support trials, launches, and cross-site coordination. The contract structure is long-term and stable, with projects planned 5–10 years out, and offers paid time off, paid holidays, and overtime compensation at time and a half for hours worked over 40. The organization emphasizes flexible scheduling, strong work/life balance, and a supportive culture where consultants are actively advocated for and often considered for long-term opportunities. An interview process typically consists of a single 60-minute interview conducted via Microsoft Teams.

This is a Contract position based out of Georgetown, KY.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $60.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Georgetown,KY.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 22, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $40 - $60