What are the responsibilities and job description for the Railcar Coatings Applicator position at Iron Horse Rail?
Railcar Coatings Applicator
Location: Beaumont
Full-Time | Competitive Pay | High-Level Coatings Role
Join a top-tier team applying industry-leading coatings to critical freight rail equipment.
Iron Horse Rail Services is seeking a skilled and experienced Coatings Applicator to handle advanced interior and exterior coating processes on railcars. This is a highly compensated position ideal for a professional with a strong coatings background and, preferably, NACE certification or equivalent field expertise.
What You'll Do
- Prep, mask, and coat interior/exterior railcar surfaces using appropriate tools and methods.
- Select and operate the proper coating systems for primers, finishes, and specialty applications.
- Apply coatings via spray techniques with accuracy and consistency.
- Perform quality checks to identify and correct coating defects such as blisters, runs, or streaks.
- Verify paint viscosity, equipment settings, and spray patterns before and during application.
- Disassemble, clean, and maintain spray and blasting equipment.
- Remove components that don’t require blasting or painting; reassemble post-process.
- Use abrasive blasting techniques to strip surfaces of old paint, rust, grease, and contaminants.
- Interpret work orders and scopes of work to ensure repairs are completed to spec and within time expectations.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment and follow all safety protocols.
- Work closely with crew members and supervisors in a team-based environment.
- Ensure all coatings meet AAR quality assurance and customer specifications.
What You Bring
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Minimum 3 years of railcar or industrial coatings experience preferred.
- Familiarity with NACE standards, abrasive blasting, or sponge-jet blasting is a strong plus.
- Ability to read basic blueprints and scopes of work.
- Mechanically inclined with experience operating tools and equipment for surface prep and application.
- Ability to work safely in physically demanding and industrial environments (confined spaces, heights, heat, noise, etc.).
- NACE certification or similar industry credential is highly desirable.
Key Competencies
- Detail-Oriented: Committed to precision and quality in every coating pass.
- Problem Solver: Skilled at identifying and correcting issues during prep and application.
- Team Player: Contributes to team success while taking ownership of individual tasks.
- Teachable & Professional: Open to feedback, training, and continuous improvement.
- Safety-Focused: Understands and prioritizes safe work practices in all environments.
Working Conditions
- Frequent exposure to airborne particles, fumes, and high-decibel noise.
- Physically demanding: frequent climbing, bending, lifting (up to 75 lbs), and entering railcars.
- Use of respirators and PPE required.
- Exposure to outdoor weather and temperature changes.
Take pride in precision work that keeps railcars moving safely across the country. If you're a coatings expert looking for a higher-level opportunity with a respected team and room to grow, we want to hear from you.
️ Apply now to become a critical part of Iron Horse Services' industry-leading coatings crew.
