Sr. Paint Engineer

Job Title: Paint Engineer

Job Description

The Paint Engineer leads all paint and surface finishing operations in a high‑volume automotive manufacturing environment, ensuring safe, efficient, and high‑quality coating processes. This role develops and optimizes paint processes, manages capital and process improvements, and drives continuous improvement in cost, quality, and throughput. The Paint Engineer oversees a team of paint engineers, supports new product launches, and partners closely with operations, quality, maintenance, and suppliers to resolve technical issues and implement best‑in‑class paint technologies. This position offers the opportunity to remain hands-on and highly technical while providing leadership to ensure critical timelines and production goals are met.

Responsibilities

• Lead all paint and surface finishing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high‑quality coating processes in a high‑volume automotive manufacturing environment.
• Develop, optimize, and document paint processes to achieve best‑in‑class performance in cost, quality, and throughput.
• Manage and implement capital projects and process improvements related to paint and surface finishing systems.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, improving cycle time, and enhancing overall paint quality.
• Oversee and mentor a team of paint engineers, providing technical guidance, setting priorities, and ensuring alignment with production timelines and business objectives.
• Support new product launches by developing and validating paint processes, coordinating with cross‑functional teams, and ensuring readiness for volume production.
• Partner with operations, quality, maintenance, and other internal teams to troubleshoot and resolve paint‑related technical issues in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with suppliers and external partners to evaluate and implement advanced paint materials, equipment, and technologies.
• Monitor key performance indicators for paint operations and report on performance, issues, and improvement plans.
• Ensure adherence to safety standards, quality requirements, and established procedures within paint and surface finishing areas.
• Coordinate resources and adjust plans to meet production schedules, especially during launches and busier phases.

Essential Skills

• 5 years of Class A paint experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.
• 3 years of supervisor or lead experience overseeing technical or engineering teams.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop engineering teams in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Demonstrated experience driving process optimization and continuous improvement in cost, quality, and throughput.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, quality, maintenance, and suppliers to resolve technical issues.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and a structured approach to root cause analysis and corrective actions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Plastic injection molding experience.
• Degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• background in plastic injection processes as they relate to painted components.
• Experience supporting new product launches in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with advanced paint technologies and best practices in high‑volume automotive production.

Work Environment

The role operates in a mixed environment, with time split between the production floor and an office setting. Standard expectations are approximately 40–45 hours per week, with occasional periods of heavier workload during product launches or busier phases. The position is embedded in a high‑volume automotive manufacturing facility with direct exposure to paint operations, equipment, and production processes, while also involving office‑based engineering, planning, and collaboration work.

This is a Permanent position based out of Newaygo, MI.

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $110000.00/yr.

Company Benefits available upon request

This is a fully onsite position in Newaygo,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on May 1, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000 extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

Salary : $90,000 - $110,000