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Surface Treatment Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LISI

R&D Surface Treatment Intern

Torrance, CA

$17.25 - $22.25/hr

SUMMARY The R&D Surface Treatment Engineer Intern works closely with the Materials & Processes Manager and R&D Surface Treatment Engineer. Under general direction on assigned projects, primary ...

LISI

R&D Surface Treatment Intern

Torrance, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.75/hr

SUMMARY The R&D Surface Treatment Engineer Intern works closely with the Materials & Processes Manager and R&D Surface Treatment Engineer. Under general direction on assigned projects, primary ...

glock

MACHINE OPERATOR - GR SURFACE TREATMENT

Concord, NC

$15.75 - $18.75/hr

Performs a variety of manual operates machinery related to surface finishing. Shift(s) Available: * 1st shift (6:00 AM to 2:00 PM), Monday through Friday * 2nd shift (2:00 PM to 10:00 PM), Monday ...

glock

MACHINE OPERATOR - GR SURFACE TREATMENT

Concord, NC

$15.75 - $18.75/hr

Performs a variety of manual operates machinery related to surface finishing. Shift(s) Available: * 1st shift (6:00 AM to 2:00 PM), Monday through Friday * 2nd shift (2:00 PM to 10:00 PM), Monday ...

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Surface Treatment information

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$12

$19

$27

How much do surface treatment jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for surface treatment in the United States is $19.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and often leadership roles or working in high-paying industries.

What is the no. 1 highest paying job?

In the field of surface treatment, high-paying roles include specialized engineers such as materials or process engineers, especially those with advanced certifications and experience. Executive positions like plant managers or technical directors also tend to have the highest salaries in this industry.

What is surface treatment?

Surface treatment refers to a variety of processes applied to the surface of materials—such as metals, plastics, or glass—to alter their physical, chemical, or mechanical properties. The main goals are to improve durability, resistance to corrosion, adhesion, appearance, or other performance characteristics. Common surface treatment methods include painting, plating, anodizing, coating, and chemical treatments. These processes are widely used in industries like automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and electronics. Choosing the right surface treatment depends on the material being treated and the intended application.

Why is Gen Z struggling to get jobs?

Gen Z faces challenges in securing jobs due to high competition, limited work experience, and evolving employer expectations for skills like digital literacy and adaptability. For roles in surface treatment, relevant skills such as attention to detail, safety protocols, and certifications can improve employability, but entry-level positions often require demonstrating practical knowledge and a willingness to learn.

What are some common challenges faced in a Surface Treatment role, and how can they be managed?

Professionals in Surface Treatment often encounter challenges such as ensuring consistent coating quality, adhering to strict environmental and safety regulations, and managing complex equipment. Managing these challenges typically involves regular maintenance of machinery, continuous training on the latest industry standards, and close collaboration with quality control and safety teams. Staying proactive with process improvements and fostering clear communication within the team can help address issues before they impact production.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

In the field of surface treatment, highly skilled roles such as industrial coating specialists or corrosion engineers can earn around $10,000 per month, especially with extensive experience and certifications. These jobs often require technical knowledge, attention to safety protocols, and proficiency with specialized equipment, but may not always require a formal college degree.

What is the difference between Surface Treatment vs Metal Finisher?

AspectSurface TreatmentMetal Finisher
Primary FocusApplying coatings, treatments, or processes to improve surface propertiesPolishing, grinding, and finishing metal surfaces for appearance and smoothness
Skills & CertificationsKnowledge of coating techniques, surface preparation, certifications like OSHASkills in polishing, grinding, and finishing; certifications in metalworking
Work EnvironmentFactories, manufacturing plants, industrial settingsMetal workshops, manufacturing facilities, industrial environments
Industry UsageUsed across automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and construction industriesPrimarily in metal fabrication, manufacturing, and finishing shops

Surface Treatment involves applying coatings or processes to enhance surface properties, while Metal Finisher focuses on polishing and finishing metal surfaces for aesthetics and smoothness. Both roles often work in industrial settings and require related skills, but their primary tasks differ—one emphasizes surface enhancement, the other surface finishing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Surface Treatment, and why are they important?

To thrive in Surface Treatment, you need a solid understanding of chemical processes, surface preparation techniques, and safety protocols, often supported by vocational training or technical certifications. Familiarity with equipment such as spray booths, electroplating systems, and measurement tools is vital, alongside knowledge of relevant safety and environmental regulations. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and teamwork are important soft skills for maintaining quality and efficiency. These skills ensure consistent, high-quality finishes while safeguarding workplace safety and compliance with industry standards.
More about Surface Treatment jobs
What cities are hiring for Surface Treatment jobs? Cities with the most Surface Treatment job openings:
What states have the most Surface Treatment jobs? States with the most job openings for Surface Treatment jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Surface Treatment jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Surface Treatment jobs are:
Surface Treatment jobs near you
Infographic showing various Surface Treatment job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% As Needed, 36% Full Time, 53% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,944 per year, or $19.7 per hour.

Manufacturing Engineer - Surface Treatment

Heron Power Electronics Company

Scotts Valley, CA • On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Power Electronics | Automation | Process & Equipment Development
What to Expect
Heron Power is a startup company building cutting-edge power electronics for the 21st-century grid. We aim to debottleneck the growth of electricity generation and consumption with scalable, innovative, and less costly hardware solutions, accelerating the electrification of everything.
Our first goal is to build better converters (inverters & rectifiers) to connect large-scale renewables, storage, and loads to the grid. Heron's leadership team is made up of seasoned veterans who have designed and shipped gigawatts of power conversion products over the past decade.
We understand that no one individual knows everything. We will all learn a lot together and from each other. We strive to build a collaborative, enriching environment conducive to personal, technical, and career growth. You can expect to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, driven by first principles engineering, solving difficult problems.
Job Overview
As a Manufacturing Engineer - Welding (Advanced Processes), you will be responsible for developing, testing, deploying and scaling high volume manufacturing for our power electronics assemblies. This role will be responsible for some of our most exciting and complex manufacturing technologies and will lead process and equipment development for advanced automation/robotics, chemical handling systems associated with thermal interface materials and thermal gap fillers, plastics/metals assembly, and surface treatments. You will work closely with product, mechanical and electrical design teams early and often through DFM, design processes from a first principles approach and close the feedback loop to ensure both the product and the lines that make it are robust. You will collaborate closely with external suppliers and equipment partners to land scalable, reliable and highly repeatable equipment lines and processes, owning them from concept to production ramp.
How You Will Contribute
  • Develop and optimize surface treatment processes: plasma, corona, chemical cleaning, solvent prep, adhesion preparation
  • Specify and commission automated surface treatment equipment
  • Integrate surface treatment steps into automated lines with robots, conveyors, and inline QA
  • Conduct DoE, PFMEA, SPC, and process validation for repeatable quality
  • Troubleshoot contamination or adhesion issues and implement robust fixes
  • Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams, and suppliers

What You Will Bring
Must-Haves
  • Bachelor's in Mechanical, Materials, Manufacturing, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering
  • 7+ years in industrial surface treatment or preparation processes
  • Hands-on experience with automation, robotics, PLCs, and inline inspection
  • Knowledge of material surface science, adhesion, plasma/chemical processes
  • Experience with PFMEA, DoE, SPC, and precision assembly

Nice-to-Haves
  • Experience in power electronics, EV, or aerospace manufacturing
  • Supplier industrialization and equipment qualification experience

If you are passionate about technology and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you. Join us in accelerating the electrification of everything at Heron Power.
Heron Power provides competitive compensation (salary and equity) and benefits. The salary for this role ranges from $150,000 to $200,000 per year.

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