Marine Surface Prep & Coatings Technician — Pascagoula, MS

Pay & Terms: $34.99/hr + $147.04/day per diem (for qualified travelers) | 12-month contract | Full-time | Immediate start

A day in this role

Sunrise on the Gulf Coast, and you’re stepping onto the deck of a major shipbuilding project. You kit up, inspect your blasting setup, and verify your spray equipment. By mid-morning, you’ve profiled steel to spec, masked intricate edges, and laid down a flawless marine coating with airless spray—hitting the exact mil thickness the project calls for. After lunch, you correct a surface imperfection, document your coating readings, and transition to the next module, keeping pace with production schedules while upholding shipyard safety protocols. You wrap with equipment care so everything’s mission-ready for tomorrow.

What you’ll handle

• Execute abrasive blasting with approved industrial equipment and techniques
• Prepare metal via sanding, grinding, masking, and cleaning to ensure optimal adhesion
• Apply marine and industrial coatings using advanced spray systems to defined quality and thickness specs
• Verify blast profiles and coating coverage against project requirements
• Diagnose and correct surface defects to meet stringent shipyard standards
• Set up, operate, and maintain blasting and painting gear, including air hoses and spray equipment
• Keep tools and work areas in top condition; follow safety procedures and meet production timelines
• Work safely in confined spaces, at heights, and outdoors in varying weather while wearing required PPE

What you bring

• 3+ years of recent Painter/Blaster experience in marine or heavy industrial environments
• Mastery of abrasive blasting, marine coatings, surface prep, and airless spray application
• Ability to read and follow technical work instructions and specifications
• Skill measuring coating thickness and repairing defects
• Physical readiness for shipyard work: lifting, climbing, and extended shifts

Bonus points

• Background in industrial painting within confined spaces
• Comfort operating power tools and rust machines
• Experience checking coating thickness with a mil gauge

Why you’ll love it

• Highly competitive pay with generous traveler per diem
• Long-term, full-time contract with clear paths for advancement
• Hands-on impact on large-scale, high-profile marine and shipbuilding programs
• Supportive, safety-focused culture with room to expand your technical toolkit

Apply now

Bring your shipyard experience to a leading Pascagoula team shaping the future of maritime engineering. Send your updated resume and confirm your qualifications for immediate consideration.

Pre-employment physical exam, hair follicle drug screen, background check, and shipyard credentialing required.