What are the responsibilities and job description for the Industrial Media Blaster position at CHL Systems, Inc.?
Industrial Media Blaster
Join Our Manufacturing Team
CHL Systems is seeking an Industrial Media Blaster to support our Welding Department by preparing and finishing metal components through abrasive blasting and passivation techniques. This role is responsible for cleaning, prepping, and surface-finishing stainless and carbon steel parts to meet quality and production standards.
The Industrial Media Blaster plays an important role in ensuring parts are properly prepared for downstream manufacturing processes, painting, coating, and final finishing. This position works hands-on with blast equipment, material handling tools, and production documentation in a fast-paced manufacturing environment focused on safety, quality, and craftsmanship.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- Competitive compensation with growth and advancement opportunities
- Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, PTO, holidays)
- Family-owned company with 65 years of manufacturing excellence
- Collaborative, safety-focused culture built on integrity and accountability
- Clear career path with advancement potential
What You’ll Do
Surface Preparation & Blasting
- Perform media blasting on stainless and carbon steel components using appropriate media to achieve required surface finishes
- Prepare carbon steel parts for painting or coating by removing scale, rust, and contaminants
- Conduct passivation of stainless steel parts following established procedures and safety guidelines
- Read and follow work orders, shop drawings, and process specifications to determine required media, finish type, and blasting parameters
Material Handling & Equipment Operation
- Operate overhead cranes, hoists, and forklifts to safely move and position large or heavy components
- Monitor media levels and equipment performance and report maintenance needs promptly
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of the blasting booth, equipment, and surrounding work area
- Wear and maintain proper protective gear, including fresh-air supplied helmet, gloves, and coveralls
Quality & Team Support
- Inspect finished surfaces to ensure completeness, consistency, and quality; rework as needed to meet standards
- Collaborate with welders, fabricators, and supervisors to meet production schedules and quality expectations
- Follow all company safety policies and OSHA standards, including Lockout/Tagout and PPE requirements
- Participate in cross-training opportunities with the Metal Finishing team to support skill development and career growth
What We’re Looking For
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required
- Prior experience in media blasting, sandblasting, metal finishing, or industrial manufacturing preferred, but not required
- Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn specialized blasting and finishing processes through on-the-job training
Technical Skills & Knowledge
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain consistent surface quality and finish standards
- Basic understanding of industrial safety practices, including PPE use and OSHA requirements
- Ability to read and follow work orders, simple shop drawings, and process instructions
- Comfortable operating or learning to operate cranes, hoists, and forklifts safely
- Experience operating cranes, forklifts, or other material-handling equipment is a plus
- Willingness to learn new processes such as passivation and metal finishing
Professional Skills
- Reliable and dependable with a strong work ethic
- Team-oriented with the ability to work collaboratively across production departments
- Good communication skills and ability to follow direction
- Commitment to continuous learning and skill development
- Pride in producing high-quality work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Physical Demands
- Must be able to wear a respirator as required and meet OSHA fit testing and medical evaluation standards
- Regularly required to stand, walk, reach, and handle tools or materials
- Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, and crouching during part preparation and cleaning
- Must be able to lift and move up to 50 pounds independently and use cranes or assistive equipment for heavier items
- Requires use of protective gear such as a fresh-air helmet, gloves, coveralls, and steel-toe boots
- Requires good vision, depth perception, and attention to detail during inspection
Work Environment
- Work is performed in a manufacturing and fabrication setting, primarily within enclosed blasting booths and production areas
- Exposure to loud noise, dust, vibration, and airborne particles is common; appropriate PPE is provided and required at all times
- Tasks may involve working around moving machinery, forklifts, and overhead cranes
- Employees must follow all safety policies and OSHA standards, including Lockout/Tagout, hazard communication, and required respiratory protection protocols
- The environment is team-oriented, with close coordination between welders, fabricators, and finishers to ensure safe and efficient workflow
- Work areas are temperature-controlled seasonally but may vary based on production demands and ventilation requirements
About CHL Systems
For more than 65 years, CHL Systems has been a trusted leader in designing and manufacturing custom automation and material handling solutions. Serving the food, pharmaceutical, and general manufacturing industries, we combine innovation, craftsmanship, and a family-oriented culture to deliver high-quality systems that keep our customers’ operations moving.
Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V)