Job Title: Vinyl Applicator (ADA Department)
Location: Houston, TX (Onsite)
Type: Full-time, Manufacturing
Hardman Signs is a national leader in architectural signage and graphics. We design, manufacture, install, and service high-impact signage solutions for commercial properties, multi-family housing, healthcare facilities, parking garages, and more. We partner with leading construction companies and architectural design firms to bring signage visions to life—from concept to installation.
Position Summary
Hardman Signs is seeking a focused and detail-oriented Vinyl Applicator to join our ADA production team. This role is responsible for the critical preparation and finishing stages of high-quality ADA-compliant signage. The ideal candidate is a precision-focused individual who can manage the "prep-to-finish" pipeline—ensuring every sign substrate is perfectly sanded, primed, and coated to meet both aesthetic standards and federal accessibility requirements in a fast-paced shop environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Surface Preparation: Sand, clean, and degrease various sign substrates (acrylic, metal, or photopolymers) to ensure flawless paint adhesion and a smooth final finish.
- Paint Support & Mixing: Assist lead painters in mixing ingredients, primers, and coatings to exact specifications. Maintain and clean spray guns, pressure pots, and booth equipment.
- Detail Finishing: Apply precision masking and vinyl stenciling for multi-color applications. Ensure tactile elements and Braille remain clear and compliant throughout the coating process.
- Quality Control: Inspect finished products for defects such as dust, runs, or "orange peel" textures, ensuring all pieces meet design specifications before moving to assembly.
- Shop Maintenance: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe paint booth environment. Perform routine maintenance on sanding and pneumatic tools to ensure operational efficiency.
- Safety Compliance: Safely use all protective safety equipment, including respiratory protection, and strictly adhere to all company safety protocols regarding chemical handling.
Required Qualifications
- Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of related experience in industrial painting, automotive finishing, or construction-related prep work (drywall/sanding).
- Education: High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required.
- Technical Skills: Ability to safely use specified hand, air, and power tools, specifically pneumatic sanders and grinders. Proficiency in following multi-step chemical mixing instructions.
- Physical Requirements:
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 40 lbs without assistance.
- Comfort working in various positions (standing for long periods, bending, or reaching).
- Ability to work in a non-climate-controlled environment (up to 105-degree heat) for extended periods.
- No respiratory sensitivities to paint fumes, solvents, or sanding dust.
- Safety: Must be able to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, impact gloves, and a properly fitted respirator.
Skills Required
- At least one year of related experience in industrial painting, automotive finishing, or construction-related preparation work
- High school diploma or GED
- Ability to safely use hand, air, and power tools, including pneumatic sanders and grinders
- Ability to follow multi-step chemical mixing instructions
- Ability to lift or move up to 40 pounds without assistance
- Ability to stand for extended periods and work while bending or reaching
- Ability to work in a non-climate-controlled environment with temperatures up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit
- No respiratory sensitivities to paint fumes, solvents, or sanding dust
- Ability to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, impact gloves, and a properly fitted respirator
What We Do
Hardman Signs is a Houston-based, full-service architectural signage and graphics company serving businesses across the United States. It develops customized signage and branding solutions, managing projects from design and engineering through fabrication and installation. The company offers interior and exterior sign types, national sign-program services, signage consulting, and maintenance capabilities designed to help organizations express their identity and build consistent brands across locations.
