About Us
Lind Marine is a full-service maritime and marine-construction company providing ship repair, dredging, heavy-lift operations, waterfront construction, and vessel support services for commercial and government clients. Our work ranges from shipyard overhauls to complex field operations throughout the San Francisco Bay and Delta. We believe in our people, providing best in class services and protecting our environment in everything we do.
Position Summary
The Shipyard Paint Lead directs a crew of painters and blasters in the surface preparation and coating application of marine vessels, structures, and associated equipment. This role is responsible for safe, efficient, and quality execution of painting and preservation work orders in accordance with customer specifications, regulatory standards, and shipyard procedures. The Paint Lead serves as the primary technical authority for the crew and acts as a liaison between craft workers and shipyard supervision.
Pay Range: $40 - $47 per hour
Location: Mare Island (Vallejo, CA)
Reports to: Paint Foreman / Superintendent
Crew Leadership & Coordination
- Assign daily work tasks to paint crew members based on project priorities and skill levels.
- Conduct toolbox talks and daily safety briefings at the start of each shift.
- Monitor crew performance, attendance, and productivity; report issues to the foreman.
- Train and mentor apprentice painters in proper techniques, safety practices, and quality standards.
- Coordinate with other trade leads (e.g., sandblasters, riggers, pipefitters) to sequence work and avoid conflicts.
Surface Preparation
- Direct and perform abrasive blasting operations (wet blast, dry blast, UHP water jetting) to specified SSPC/NACE surface profiles.
- Ensure proper containment, dust collection, and waste disposal in compliance with environmental regulations.
- Verify surface cleanliness, anchor profile, and ambient conditions (temperature, humidity, dew point) before coating application.
Coating Application
- Apply and oversee application of marine coatings including primers, anti-corrosion systems, antifouling bottom paints, topcoats, and specialty coatings (tank linings, fire-resistant coatings, non-skid).
- Operate and maintain spray equipment (airless, conventional, plural-component), rollers, and brushes.
- Mix coatings per manufacturer data sheets (MDS/TDS); calculate induction times, pot life, and thinning ratios.
- Monitor and document wet film thickness (WFT) and dry film thickness (DFT) readings; maintain application logs.
Quality Control & Documentation
- Interpret and implement customer coating specifications (e.g., NAVSEA, ABS, DNV, commercial owner specs).
- Inspect completed work for holidays, runs, sags, and adhesion issues; direct rework as necessary.
- Maintain accurate records of materials used, surface prep conditions, DFT readings, and inspection results.
- Interface with quality assurance (QA) inspectors and customer representatives during coating inspections.
Safety & Compliance
- Enforce shipyard safety policies, OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910/1926), and confined space entry procedures.
- Ensure proper PPE usage including respirators, Tyvek suits, gloves, and fall protection.
- Recognize and respond to hazardous conditions including flammable atmospheres, toxic exposure, and heat stress.
- Participate in incident investigations and near-miss reporting.
Material & Equipment Management
- Estimate material quantities and submit requests for paint, solvents, abrasives, and consumables.
- Maintain inventory of coating materials and ensure proper storage per MSDS/SDS requirements.
- Inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot spray equipment, blast pots, and compressors; coordinate repairs with equipment maintenance.
Qualifications
Required
- High school diploma or GED.
- Minimum 5 years of journeyman-level marine or industrial painting/blasting experience.
- Minimum 1–2 years in a lead, working foreman, or supervisory capacity.
- Demonstrated proficiency with airless spray, conventional spray, and plural-component equipment.
- Working knowledge of SSPC surface preparation standards and NACE coating inspection practices.
- Ability to read and interpret coating system specifications, MDS/TDS sheets, and work orders.
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction or Maritime certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire).
- Confined space entry certification or willingness to obtain prior to start.
Preferred
- SSPC C-7 Protective Coating Specialist or NACE Coating Inspector Level 1 certification.
- Experience with Navy/NAVSEA coating specifications (MIL-PRF, NAVSEA Standard Items).
- Familiarity with underwater hull coatings and cathodic protection systems.
- Basic computer proficiency for documentation and material tracking.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
This position requires the ability to work in physically demanding shipyard environments. The Paint Lead must be able to:
- Stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and climb ladders and staging for extended periods.
- Lift and carry up to 50 lbs unassisted.
- Work in confined spaces, at heights, in extreme temperatures, and in environments with loud noise and chemical exposure.
- Wear a full-face air-purifying or supplied-air respirator (fit test required).
- Work variable shifts including nights, weekends, and overtime as production demands require.
Benefits
- Paid Sick Leave and Vacation
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
- 10 Paid Holidays per Year
Compliance & Workplace Policies
Lind Marine is a drug-free workplace. All employment offers are contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test, health screening, and background check.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Lind Marine LLC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other protected status.
Pay Transparency Disclosure
The base pay range for this position is $40.00 to $47.00 per hour. Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications, experience, education, skills, and market conditions. Lind Marine reserves the right to revise this range at any time.
