Wood Coatings Applications Specialist - LOCAL ONLY

Role details

This is an exciting position that will lead spray testing of coatings for wood. If you’ve worked for a cabinet or furniture manufacturer and have applied and tested a variety of stains or coatings, we should talk!

The Application Specialist supports the development, evaluation, and technical validation of industrial wood coating systems. This role serves as a critical bridge between Product Management, Laboratory Development, Technical Service, and Sales to ensure coatings perform consistency in real-world spray environments.

This position leads and supports spray application testing, competitive benchmarking, internal product evaluations, and field problem-solving. It also maintains application equipment and spray facilities. The role requires deep, hands-on expertise in wood coating spray techniques, fluid delivery systems, and industrial finishing equipment.

The Application Specialist plays a key part in supporting lab initiatives, new product launches, and continuous improvement projects.

Key Responsibilities

Application Testing & Product Evaluation

• Conduct spray application testing for new product development, reformulations, and product improvements
• Perform internal product evaluations and competitive benchmarking
• Document coating performance, including:
• Dry-to-handle, dry-to-sand, and dry-to-stack times
• Atomization and transfer efficiency
• Sanding quality, flow and leveling, feel and slip
• Defect identification, film build, and overall appearance
• Evaluate stain applications including wipe ease, spray / no-wipe methods, color development, and dry times
• Partner with Product Management and Laboratory teams to translate formulations into real-world performance

Spray Equipment & Facility Management

• Maintain and manage spray booths, finishing equipment, and testing environments
• Set up and operate industrial spray systems, including:
• Airless
• Air-Assisted Airless
• HVLP
• Conventional spray systems
• Maintain fluid delivery systems such as pumps, pressure pots, and circulation systems
• Ensure all equipment is calibrated, functioning properly, and operating safely
• Follow all EHS standards, including recordkeeping and waste disposal procedures

Cross-Functional Technical Support

• Collaborate with Sales, Technical Service, Product Management, and Laboratory teams
• Troubleshoot application challenges during trials and evaluations
• Provide practical application insights to improve product formulation and performance
• Support product launches with spray parameters, application guidelines, and best practices

Competitive & Market Evaluation

• Conduct spray testing of competitor coatings
• Provide structured feedback on:
• Sprayability
• Appearance and finish quality
• Film build
• Defect resistance
• Production suitability
• Communicate overall user experience comparisons between their products and competitors

Product Development Support

• Assist in coating system validation for new product launches
• Establish application parameters and recommended equipment settings
• Support development of technical documentation and product positioning

Salary

$50,000 - $70,000 + Bonus

Benefits

All insurances, 401k, vacation, career development and continued learning, Bonus plan, and more!

Technical Experience

Education

• High school diploma or GED required with at least 2 years, 5-10 preferred

Technical Expertise

• Extensive hands-on experience applying industrial wood coatings, including: Stains, Lacquers and pre-catalyzed lacquers, Conversion Varnishes, Waterborne Coatings, Two-component finishes
• Strong understanding of coating behavior in production spray environments

Spray Equipment Knowledge

• Experience with: Airless and Air-Assisted Airless systems, HVLP and conventional spray guns, Fluid delivery systems (pumps, pressure pots, circulation loops)

Equipment & Facility Management

• Ability to maintain spray booths, filtration systems, and finishing equipment
• Experience maintaining fluid handling systems and spray components
• Ability to manage sanding tables and inventories (test panels, abrasives, sundries)

Analytical & Troubleshooting Skills

• Ability to identify and resolve application issues such as: Orange peel, Dry spray, Poor atomization, Film defects and inconsistent build, Strong observational, evaluation, and documentation skills

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Proven ability to work with Product Management, R&D / Laboratory teams, Technical Service, Sales, and OEM representatives
• Ability to translate technical findings into actionable insights across teams

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in industrial wood finishing or coatings application
• Experience working with OEM wood manufacturers or production finishing environments
• Familiarity with coating evaluation protocols and testing methods
• Strong mechanical aptitude for equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
• If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Stephanie Kemp at [email protected].

JO: 85.26SK