Aircraft Painter

About Bombardier's Biggin Hill Service Centre

Bombardier’s Business Aircraft London Service Centre located in Biggin Hill stands as the flagship of Bombardier's European operations and is part of an award-winning network. This base and line maintenance hub is the fastest expanding service centre in Europe and holds the distinction as the largest business aircraft OEM in the UK. The facility is fully equipped to conduct a broad spectrum of maintenance checks, modifications, and upgrades all from its location, conveniently positioned only 14 miles from London to serve operators across the UK and beyond.

Position Overview

The Aircraft Painter is responsible for preparing aircraft surfaces for the application of primer, paint, and striping through activities such as stripping, buffing, and sanding. Duties extend to applying primer, paint, vinyl stripes, appliques, and decals. The role includes inspecting finished surfaces, performing touch-ups, and polishing to ensure a flawless appearance.

Work Environment and Additional Considerations

• Periodic use of traditional and portable power tools.
• Work may require standing on uneven or elevated platforms and access to tight spaces.
• Tasks often performed in awkward postures while handling vibrating tools.
• Regular exposure to noise typical in workshop settings.
• Frequent exposure to environments with elevated temperatures.
• Periodic exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Regular handling of toxic or corrosive chemicals, liquid coatings, and solvents.
• Occasional contact with flammable materials, adhesives, lubricants, composites, and sealants.
• Extended periods demanding high mental focus and visual precision to avoid aircraft damage.
• Requirement to distinguish colors accurately.
• Ability and willingness to wear respirators when necessary.
• Work location might be within hangars or workspaces without air conditioning.

Key Responsibilities

• Comply with general workplace protocols and safety standards.
• Interpret engineering drawings to identify tasks for chemical and paint application.
• Prepare the hangar floor with safety absorbents and spray aircraft surfaces with paint stripper to remove all paint layers.
• Support moving aircraft to designated bays as necessary.
• Mask, unmask, and re-mask aircraft areas to protect windows and other delicate parts.
• Clean surfaces by removing strippers, excess paint, and contaminants using water, solvents, air blowers, and brushes.
• Sand, grind, and buff aircraft surfaces; fill dents with putty; replace sealer to prepare for primer and paint application.
• Apply Alodine chemical treatments to aircraft surfaces using spray equipment.
• Perform touch-up painting work as required.
• Document all work following the Inspection Procedures Manual (IPM).
• Support production lines, flight test activities, and other external areas as required.
• Assist colleagues within the scope of your qualifications when needed.

Candidate Profile

• Previous experience in aircraft surface preparation and painting or a related field is preferred.
• Capability to read and understand engineering documents and customer guidelines.
• Skill in masking aircraft surfaces appropriately with suitable materials and methods.
• Proficiency in surface preparation techniques including sanding, grinding, buffing, applying putty, sealing, and chemical treatment with Alodine.
• Competence in operating powered lifts as needed.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Bombardier is committed to equal employment opportunity and encourages candidates of all races, religions, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, immigration statuses, disabilities, or other legally protected attributes to apply.

Throughout the recruitment process, candidates will be kept informed via email or phone regarding their application status.