What are the responsibilities and job description for the Electroplating, Metal Coating & Surface Finishing Technician (Contract-to-Hire) position at ASTRO Mechanical Testing Laboratory?
ASTRO is an advanced manufacturing and testing company building next‑generation materials and structures. Currently we are developing finishing capability for high-quality metal-coated surfaces.
Role Summary
This role is focused first on developing and validating ASTRO’s strategy for electroplating / metal coating, surface finishing and treatment for large-scale polymer AM parts. Over an initial 4-month contract-to-hire period, you will work hands-on to refine surface prep methods, establish bath “recipes,” and build a repeatable finishing workflow that can be scaled into production.
Once that strategy is validated and ready for production, the position is intended to convert into a permanent, on-site production role in Los Angeles. In that capacity, you will own the day-to-day operation of the finishing process and help deliver consistent, high-quality finished surfaces at production scale for assemblies.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop electroplating, metal coating, surface finishing, and surface treatment processes on large-scale polymer AM parts.
- Prepare parts for finishing, including cleaning, sanding, etching, masking, fixturing, and other pretreatment steps required for coating adhesion and quality.
- Prepare, mix, and adjust chemical baths and process “recipes” for electroplating and related metal coating operations.
- Run hands-on trials to validate finishing methods, coating sequences, and bath parameters for large-format polymer substrates.
- Monitor and control process conditions including pH, temperature, concentration, additives, contamination, and general bath health.
- Perform routine testing and process checks such as titrations, pH checks, conductivity checks, and visual inspection; document results accurately.
- Inspect parts for finish quality, adhesion, coverage, thickness, and visible defects such as pitting, burning, peeling, streaking, or discoloration.
- Troubleshoot coating and finishing issues and make practical process adjustments to improve repeatability and visual quality.
- Help develop and document standard operating procedures for electroplating, metal coating, surface finishing, and treatment workflows.
- Maintain plating tanks, finishing equipment, racks, fixtures, tools, and work area in a clean, safe, and organized condition.
- Follow all chemical handling, PPE, ventilation, waste handling, and shop safety procedures.
Required Qualifications
- Hands-on experience in electroplating, metal coating, surface finishing, surface treatment, or a closely related finishing process.
- Experience mixing chemicals or maintaining process baths from defined formulas or operating windows.
- Working knowledge of surface preparation and how prep affects coating adhesion, appearance, and consistency.
- Ability to troubleshoot finishing defects and make disciplined process adjustments on the floor.
- Comfortable working in a hands-on shop environment with chemicals, tanks, fixtures, and production equipment.
- Ability to keep accurate logs, follow SOPs, and work with strong attention to detail.
- Able to work on-site in Los Angeles, CA.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with large-format parts, custom fabrication, sculpture, prop, automotive, aerospace, or architectural finishing.
- Familiarity with developing or refining finishing workflows during early production or process validation stages.
- Experience with polymer additive manufacturing.
Why This Role Is Different
This is not just a basic line operator position. This role is ideal for a hands-on finishing technician who can help develop the strategy, workflow, and chemistry controls needed to turn a finishing concept into a production-ready capability.
Contract-to-Hire Structure
This position begins as a 4-month contract-to-hire role focused on validating ASTRO’s electroplating / metal coating, surface finishing and treatment strategy. If the process is successfully validated and there is mutual fit, the role is intended to transition into a long-term production position.
Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour
Application Question(s):
- Describe your hands-on experience with electroplating or metal coating processes (include what you plated, types of baths or chemistries you’ve worked with, and your responsibilities for mixing/adjusting solutions).
- Have you ever been responsible for maintaining or adjusting an electroplating or coating bath (e.g., titrations, pH checks, adding chemicals to keep it in spec)? If yes, please give a specific example.
Work Location: In person
Salary : $25 - $30