Maintenance Technician – Production (Technical Workshop Paint Technician)

Role Overview

This position focuses on applying and maintaining high-quality protective and decorative finishes across aircraft components, supporting the airline's fleet presentation and regulatory compliance. Day-to-day work involves preparing surfaces, mixing and spraying coatings, checking for defects, and keeping spray equipment and booths in proper working order. The role matters because a consistent, technically sound paint finish protects the airframe from corrosion and upholds the airline's public image in line with aviation authority requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Strip or remove old paint, corrosion, and surface contaminants using chemical strippers, abrasives, and other mechanical methods, then clean, mask, and treat surfaces to prepare them for coating.
• Apply epoxy, polyurethane, enamel, and chromate-based paints using spray guns and other suitable application tools to achieve the required film thickness, texture, and appearance.
• Inspect finished surfaces for defects such as runs, sags, fisheyes, pinholes, or embedded foreign object debris, and correct any issues to restore an acceptable finish.
• Diagnose paint adhesion or application problems and adjust technique, material mix, or environmental conditions to prevent recurrence.
• Complete quality checks and document each job, verifying that all work meets internal procedures, OEM manuals, Kenya Airways standards, KCAA rules, and other applicable regulations.
• Maintain painting tools, spray guns, paint booths, ventilation filters, and related equipment, ensuring everything is clean, calibrated, tested, and stored correctly after each task.
• Handle paints, solvents, and hazardous materials safely, following risk assessments, PPE requirements, environmental protection rules, and proper storage and disposal procedures.
• Use and interpret component maintenance manuals, paint technical data sheets, material safety data sheets, and other relevant documentation to confirm correct preparation, mixing, and application steps.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Completion of a recognized apprenticeship program, a KNEC Engineering Diploma, or an equivalent technical qualification from an accredited institution.
• Trade test certification or formal training in industrial or aircraft painting.
• At least one year of hands-on experience in aircraft or industrial painting, with demonstrated skill in surface preparation and coating application.
• Working knowledge of aircraft materials such as aluminum, composites, and protective treatments, including corrosion prevention methods.
• Ability to read and apply technical drawings, process sheets, and paint system specifications accurately.
• Familiarity with paint mixing, color matching, and paint thickness measurement tools such as dry film thickness gauges.
• Knowledge of safe paint handling practices, including proper use of respirators, protective clothing, ventilation systems, and procedures for preventing foreign object debris contamination.
• Comfort working at heights, in confined spaces, and in physically demanding positions for extended periods.
• Basic computer literacy and documentation skills, along with experience using desktop publishing software or stencil cutting techniques for applying markings and decals.
• Strong attention to detail, reliable communication, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a maintenance team.