Painter & Blaster (CAF Overhaul Facility, Manchester)

Join to apply for the Painter & Blaster role at CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles).

About CAF: Innovation is in our DNA – we thrive on pushing boundaries and adapting to new challenges with a flexible approach. Proud to be a global leader, our fast‑paced growth provides exciting opportunities for our team and the community. Committed to maintaining trains and trams, our mission is to enhance vehicle safety and reliability. We would not be where we are without our people – working together as a team we strive to achieve great things while supporting each other to thrive along the way.

What can you expect from CAF?

• Positive Work Environment: You will work in a positive environment, based on mutual respect and team spirit.
• Professional Development: Our projects are often measured in years, sometimes decades, giving you and the organisation a future.
• Learning and Autonomy: We will encourage you to work autonomously, being able to propose and decide "what" and "how".
• Security and Reliability: CAF has been working for over 100 years on a path that stretches into the future, giving you the security you need.
• Cutting‑edge technology: You will work with the latest technologies, facing the challenge of devising innovative approaches and solutions every day.

What will be your role in the company? The Painter & Blaster is responsible for preparing, blasting, and painting bogie frames, wheelsets, and sub‑components in accordance with CAF Rail UK’s overhaul and coating specifications. This role ensures all components are cleaned, surface‑prepared, coated, and cured to required quality and environmental standards, maintaining full compliance with HSQE procedures and paint process controls. The Painter & Blaster plays a key role in ensuring the corrosion protection, appearance, and longevity of overhauled components, contributing to CAF’s commitment to safety, reliability and product quality within the overhaul facility.

What Salary will you be paid for this role? As a Real Living Wage Employer, we are proud to pay competitively at CAF. For this role you will be offered a salary in the region of £37,000 per annum.

What will make you successful in this position?

• NVQ/City & Guilds/IMI Level 2 or 3 – preferred or proven experience as a Paint Sprayer or Refinisher.
• Experience in industrial painting and abrasive blasting within a heavy engineering or rail environment.
• Skilled in surface preparation, masking, blasting, and application of primers and topcoats to specification.
• Competent in using paint booths, blasting systems, and coating inspection tools (thickness and roughness gauges).
• Knowledge of coating data sheets, mixing ratios, curing processes and environmental controls.
• Understanding of COSHH, PPE and safe handling of paints and solvents.
• ICATS, CSCS Paint Sprayer or equivalent industrial coating certification preferred.
• Proven ability to achieve high‑quality finishes while meeting safety and production targets.
• Strong focus on safety, environmental responsibility and attention to detail.
• Reliable, disciplined and able to deliver consistent high‑quality finishes.
• Steady hand, good visual accuracy and strong understanding of surface preparation and coating techniques.
• Proactive and adaptable with a positive attitude towards teamwork.
• Methodical and organised, maintaining accurate records and process documentation.
• Physically capable of performing manual handling and prolonged standing tasks in PPE and controlled environments.
• Committed to continuous improvement, 5S and lean principles.
• Self‑motivated with a focus on maintaining clean, safe and efficient work areas.
• Open to learning new coating technologies and participating in refresher or certification.

About What We Offer: A Real Living Wage employer and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, RSSB Mental Health Charter and Women in Rail EDI Charter, we’ve a lot to shout about at CAF. Creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging is really important to us and we’re proud to offer our people a range of benefits to support wellbeing including 25 days annual leave, an excellent workplace pension scheme (with up to 10% contribution from us), a generous health care cash plan and Bike2Work scheme just to name a few! Looking for career development? Our Professional Sponsorship scheme will help you to achieve your goals while our Flexible Working policy and Family Friendly culture mean everyone is supported to thrive at CAF. As a socially responsible business, we offer paid volunteering days and promote a variety of social value initiatives, including tree‑planting, company‑wide donation drives and providing support to the homeless community and refugees. We’re creating waves of positive change through delivering meaningful social value impact on and off the tracks!