Surface Finishing Technician — Laminates & Coatings

Custom Exhibits | Scenic Builds | Cabinetry | Experiential Environments

A day in this role

Morning starts in a climate-controlled shop: you review shop drawings, stage materials, and prep surfaces. By midday, you’re laying down smooth coats—latex, acrylic, or specialty finishes—using rollers, brushes, or spray equipment. In the afternoon, you’re laminating cabinetry and architectural millwork, trimming and filing edges to perfection, and collaborating with fabrication and assembly so the build stays on schedule. You wrap by inspecting for quality and leaving the finishing area spotless.

What you’ll handle

• Surface preparation: patching, filling, sanding, and final prep
• Applying latex, acrylic, and specialty coatings with rollers, brushes, and spray equipment
• Laminating cabinets and architectural millwork with plastic laminate
• Trimming, filing, and finishing laminate edges
• Reading shop drawings and interpreting finish requirements
• Inspecting work for quality prior to final assembly
• Maintaining a clean, organized finishing area
• Partnering with fabrication and assembly to keep schedules on track
• Contributing to continuous improvement in quality, efficiency, and processes

Backgrounds that translate well

• Residential or commercial painting
• Cabinet finishing
• Millwork or woodworking shops
• Plastic laminate fabrication
• Countertop fabrication
• Scenic fabrication
• Furniture finishing

Bonus skills

• Spray finishing (HVLP or airless)
• Solid surface fabrication (Corian, HI-MACS, etc.)
• Wood staining and clear coatings
• Basic woodworking or cabinet assembly
• Automotive or industrial finishing

What success looks like

• Meticulous, consistent craftsmanship
• Strong eye for detail and finish quality
• Curiosity for new materials and techniques
• Self-directed, collaborative mindset
• Clean, organized, safety-minded work habits
• Comfort shifting between multiple projects and priorities
• Drive to improve quality and efficiency over time

Where your work shows up

• Trade show exhibits
• Cruise ship experiences
• Retail displays
• Corporate environments
• Museum-quality scenic pieces
• Product launches
• Interactive brand activations
• Custom cabinetry and architectural millwork

Expect variety—your projects will change week to week.

Requirements

• Experience in painting, finishing, laminating, cabinetry, or related trades
• Ability to safely lift 50 lbs.
• Comfort standing for extended periods
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Reliable transportation
• Ability to meet deadlines without sacrificing quality

Preferred (not required)

• Solid surface fabrication experience
• Spray booth experience
• Cabinet shop experience
• Woodworking or CNC familiarity
• Experience with orbital sanders and common shop tools

Core proficiencies

• Caulking
• Industrial & Commercial Painting
• Cabinet lamination
• Sanding
• Surface prep
• Painting

About Breakthrough Productions

Breakthrough Productions designs and builds custom environments for leading brands—trade show exhibits, branded activations, cruise ship experiences, retail environments, and one-of-a-kind architectural elements. If you love working with your hands and take pride in craftsmanship, you’ll help create work people experience nationwide.