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Internship Coatings Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Coatings Engineer - Plant 4

Whitehall, MI · On-site

$69K - $89K/yr

Previous internship or co-op experience in a manufacturing environment or lab environment * Experience with investment casting, aerospace coatings (CVD, EB-PVD, Thermal Spray), grit blasting ...

Coatings Engineer - Plant 4

Whitehall, MI · On-site

$69K - $89K/yr

Previous internship or co-op experience in a manufacturing environment or lab environment * Experience with investment casting, aerospace coatings (CVD, EB-PVD, Thermal Spray), grit blasting ...

Formulate paint and perform various testing for waterborne coatings using industry standard test ... Competitive internship pay (15.00 - 26.00) * Lasting industry connections About us * Syensqo is a ...

Formulate paint and perform various testing for waterborne coatings using industry standard test ... Competitive internship pay (15.00 - 26.00) * Lasting industry connections About us * Syensqo is a ...

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Internship Coatings information

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How much do internship coatings jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship coatings in the United States is $17.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Internship Coatings vs Coatings Technician?

AspectInternship CoatingsCoatings Technician
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or completed relevant education, no formal certification requiredHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications like NACE or SSPC preferred
Work EnvironmentTraining sites, laboratories, or on-site projects under supervisionOn-site application, surface preparation, and coating application
Industry UsageEntry-level, educational, or training phaseFull-time, operational role in industrial or commercial settings

Internship Coatings positions are primarily educational roles designed for gaining experience, while Coatings Technicians are experienced professionals responsible for applying and maintaining coatings in real-world projects. Internships serve as a stepping stone toward becoming a Coatings Technician.

What is an internship coatings?

Internship Coatings positions are internships focused on the coatings industry, where interns gain hands-on experience in the development, testing, and application of various types of surface coatings such as paints, varnishes, or protective finishes. These roles often involve working in laboratories or manufacturing environments, assisting with research and formulation, quality control, or technical support. Interns may learn about chemical processes, environmental regulations, and industry technologies while contributing to real-world projects. This experience is valuable for students pursuing careers in chemistry, materials science, or engineering fields related to coatings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship coatings, and why are they important?

To thrive in an Internship Coatings role, you typically need a foundational understanding of chemistry or material science, often supported by enrollment in or completion of a relevant degree program. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, safety protocols, and industry-specific software like spectrophotometers or color measurement tools is usually required. Strong attention to detail, eagerness to learn, and effective communication are important soft skills for collaborating with teams and interpreting results. These skills and qualities ensure accurate experimentation, safety compliance, and meaningful contributions to research and product development.

Can you get hired from an internship in coatings?

An internship in coatings can lead to full-time employment if the intern demonstrates strong skills, work ethic, and a good fit for the company. Many employers use internships as a pathway to hire entry-level workers, especially if the intern gains relevant experience with tools, safety protocols, and industry standards. Success in an internship often depends on performance, attitude, and the availability of open positions.

What kinds of projects or responsibilities can an intern expect during a coatings internship?

During a coatings internship, interns are typically involved in hands-on projects such as preparing and testing coating samples, conducting laboratory experiments to evaluate durability or performance, and assisting with quality control processes. Interns often collaborate closely with R&D scientists, engineers, and production teams to support ongoing product development or process improvement initiatives. This role provides valuable exposure to both the technical and practical aspects of coatings technology, offering a solid foundation for future career growth in materials science or chemical engineering.
More about Internship Coatings jobs
What cities are hiring for Internship Coatings jobs? Cities with the most Internship Coatings job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Coatings jobs? The most popular types of Coatings jobs are:
What states have the most Internship Coatings jobs? States with the most job openings for Internship Coatings jobs include:
Infographic showing various Internship Coatings job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,995 per year, or $17.3 per hour.

Manufacturing Engineer-Coatings/Finishing

NIC Global

Gallatin, TN • On-site

$75K - $87K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


NIC Global rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Owns the technical process design, standardization, and continuous improvement of coatings and finishing operations (e.g., paint, powder coat, chemical processing) across all NIC Global locations, including assessment of outsourced coatings suppliers. Serves as the process authority for finishing methods, standard work, equipment/material specifications, and performance metrics, while partnering closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and IT/OT to ensure safe, efficient, and repeatable finishing processes. This role provides technical and environmental compliance oversight and support across these functional areas but does not assume day-to-day ownership of production output, maintenance execution, quality disposition, or local plant engineering responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES

  • Develops, documents, and maintains standard work, process specifications, and best practices for coatings and finishing processes across all applicable NIC Global locations and production lines.
  • Defines process performance metrics (e.g., throughput, first-pass yield, rework, scrap, downtime) and guides the development of dashboards to communicate performance trends to stakeholders.
  • Partners with Maintenance to define required preventive maintenance (PM) tasks and frequency for coatings/finishing equipment; supports execution planning without owning maintenance delivery.
  • Assists with inventory and asset management for coatings/finishing consumables, chemicals, and equipment in coordination with Supply Chain/Procurement.
  • Provides environmental compliance oversight for coatings/finishing processes (e.g., emissions, waste streams, chemical handling), working with external environmental partners; supports plant-level execution without owning day-to-day delivery.
  • Serves as the primary technical liaison to coatings/finishing suppliers and leads assessments of outsourced coatings providers, including qualification, audits, and performance evaluation.
  • Leads overall process design for new and existing coatings/finishing applications, including process flow, line layout, equipment specification, and PFMEA risk assessments.
  • Conducts periodic process audits to verify adherence to standard work and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
  • Collaborates with Controls and Automation and IT/OT teams on integration planning, automation, and technology upgrades for coatings/finishing processes.
  • Provides process-related technical feedback to support quoting activities and New Product Introduction (NPI), including feasibility assessment, cycle time estimates, and capital/tooling requirements.
  • Identifies, organizes, and leads cross-functional teams to resolve coatings/finishing process and product issues, applying lean principles and root cause problem-solving methods.
  • This job description reflects the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. Additional duties and responsibilities may be required, based upon business needs, at any time with or without notice.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Chemical, Bio-Systems, Environmental, Mechanical, Materials, or related field) from a four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of formal education, on-the-job training, and/or work experience.
  • 2 to 5 years of relevant experience in coatings, finishing, or chemical treatment processes within a manufacturing environment preferred; exceptional recent graduates with relevant coursework, co-op, or internship experience will be considered.
  • Strong Lean Manufacturing background; Six Sigma certification helpful.
  • Strong analytical, communication, and MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint) skills.
  • A high level of creativity and latitude is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to lift 25lbs with or without accommodations. Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and work near coatings/finishing chemicals, equipment, and associated environments.


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