Aviation GSE specializes in the full refurbishment and reconditioning of ground support equipment used at airports and aviation facilities across the country. We don't just repair equipment — we restore it. Every piece that leaves our shop is a reflection of the craftsmanship and pride that our team brings to the work every single day.
We're growing our refurbishment team and we're looking for a skilled Body Man / Paint Technician who takes real pride in their finish work — someone who can look at a beat-up piece of GSE and see exactly what it can become.
ABOUT THE ROLE
This is a skilled trades role at the heart of what we do. As our Body Man / Paint Technician, you'll be responsible for the structural bodywork, surface preparation, and final paint finish on ground support equipment moving through our refurbishment shop. The work is real, the standards are high, and the results are visible — every unit you touch goes back into service looking like new.
If you've spent years developing your craft — whether in auto body, heavy equipment, fleet, or industrial painting — and you're looking for a shop that actually values what a skilled technician brings, this role was built for someone like you.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Perform bodywork repairs on ground support equipment including dent removal, panel straightening, welding, and metal fabrication as needed to restore structural integrity and appearance.
- Prep all surfaces thoroughly before paint — grinding, sanding, media blasting, filling, priming, and masking — because you know the finish is only as good as the prep underneath it.
- Apply primer, base coats, and topcoats using spray equipment; match colors to customer or fleet specifications with consistency across units.
- Operate and maintain spray guns, air compressors, sanders, grinders, welders, and other bodywork and paint equipment.
- Inspect completed work against quality standards before units move to the next stage of refurbishment — you take ownership of what leaves your hands.
- Work closely with our refurbishment technicians and shop leads to coordinate workflow and meet project timelines.
- Identify and communicate additional repair needs discovered during bodywork — cracks, corrosion, structural concerns — so nothing gets missed.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area including proper handling, storage, and disposal of paints, solvents, and hazardous materials in compliance with safety standards.
- Contribute to a shop culture where quality is a shared standard, not just a checklist.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We're not looking for someone still learning the basics. We want a technician who has put in the time, knows their craft, and is ready to bring that expertise to a shop that will recognize and reward it.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in auto body, fleet, heavy equipment, or industrial bodywork and painting — you've done this for real, not just occasionally.
- Proficiency in surface preparation: sanding, grinding, filling, priming, and masking to professional standards.
- Demonstrated skill with spray paint application — both base coat/clear coat systems and single-stage industrial or fleet finishes.
- Experience with MIG or MIG/TIG welding for metal repair and fabrication is a strong advantage.
- Ability to read and match paint codes, mix colors, and maintain consistency across multiple units.
- Comfortable working on large equipment — forklifts, tugs, belt loaders, baggage carts, or similar heavy vehicles and machinery.
- Strong attention to detail — you see the imperfections others miss, and you don't let them slide.
- Ability to work independently and manage your own workflow while staying in sync with the broader shop schedule.
- Familiarity with safety protocols for handling paints, solvents, primers, and spray equipment including proper PPE use.
- A professional attitude and a genuine pride in quality — the kind of person who still looks back at a finished unit before it rolls out.
WHY JOIN AVIATION GSE
At Aviation GSE, we respect the trades. We know that a skilled body man and painter isn't just someone who shows up with a spray gun — it's someone who has invested years developing an eye, a hand, and a standard that most people can't match. We treat that expertise accordingly.
This isn't a production line where your work disappears into the crowd. Every unit we refurbish is a project, and the quality of your finish is something the whole team sees and takes pride in. You'll be working alongside technicians who care about their craft, in a shop that gives you the tools and materials to do the job right.
- Your skill level directly shapes your compensation — we don't pay a skilled craftsman entry-level wages.
- Stable, consistent work — GSE refurbishment keeps a steady pipeline of projects moving through the shop year-round.
- A team that respects the trades and the people who have mastered them.
- Room to grow into lead or supervisory responsibilities as the operation expands.
- A shop environment where quality is the standard — you won't be pressured to cut corners on the work you take pride in.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
$22 – $30 per hour, depending on experience and skill level
We pay for what you bring. If you walk in with deep experience, sharp skills, and a track record of quality finish work, that shows up in your starting rate — and it continues to grow as your contributions to the team grow.
What shapes your earning trajectory here:
- The depth and quality of your bodywork and paint skills — experience and results speak for themselves
- Consistency and craftsmanship — technicians who hold a high standard on every unit, not just the easy ones
- Efficiency and reliability — showing up ready to work and moving projects through without sacrificing quality
- Initiative and ownership — technicians who take pride in their work and look for ways to improve the shop
We also offer:
- A stable, full-time schedule with consistent work
- A team that genuinely values skilled tradespeople and compensates them like it
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $20.00-$30.00 per hour
Expected hours: 80 per week
Work Location: In person
