At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare, blast, and paint bogie frames and components to ensure quality and safety.
- Company: Join a global leader in rail maintenance with a commitment to innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and health care cash plan.
- Other info: Be part of a socially responsible team that values inclusivity and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vehicle safety and reliability while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in industrial painting and blasting; certifications preferred but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
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. Our ultimate goal is to deliver a comfortable, dependable, and sustainable commuting experience for all passengers. Based out of multiple locations across the UK, our 24/7 operation means we’re always on hand to deliver reliable technical support. Utilising the latest digital technology, we strive to enhance dependability, helping people to get to where they need to be! We wouldn’t 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. We’re going places, so apply today and become part of our exciting journey.
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.
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 £40,000 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!
Painter & Blaster (CAF Overhaul Facility, Manchester) employer: CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles)
At CAF, we pride ourselves on being a Real Living Wage employer that fosters a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Our Manchester-based team enjoys a range of benefits including 25 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development through our sponsorship programme. With a commitment to social responsibility and community engagement, we empower our employees to thrive while making a meaningful impact both in their careers and the wider community.
Contact Details:
CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Painter & Blaster (CAF Overhaul Facility, Manchester)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research CAF and their values, especially their commitment to safety and innovation. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. This can give you insider info about the company culture and might even lead to a referral, which can boost your chances of landing that Painter & Blaster role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical assessments! Since the role involves hands-on skills, practice your painting and blasting techniques. Being able to demonstrate your expertise in a practical setting can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at CAF and ready to contribute to their mission of enhancing vehicle safety and reliability.
We think you need these skills to ace Painter & Blaster (CAF Overhaul Facility, Manchester)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in industrial painting and abrasive blasting. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Painter & Blaster, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your application for this specific role. Mention how your background fits with our mission of enhancing vehicle safety and reliability. We love seeing candidates who understand our goals!
Be Detail-Oriented:Since attention to detail is key in this role, ensure your application is free from typos and errors. A polished application reflects your commitment to quality, which is something we value at CAF.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and helps us keep track of all the amazing talent out there!
How to prepare for a job interview at CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles)
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to industrial painting and abrasive blasting. Familiarise yourself with the specific tools and techniques mentioned in the job description, like paint booths and coating inspection tools. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Safety First
Since safety is a big deal in this role, be prepared to talk about your understanding of COSHH, PPE, and safe handling of paints and solvents. Share any relevant experiences where you prioritised safety in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This position requires a strong focus on teamwork, so think of examples from your past where you collaborated effectively with others. Highlight how you contributed to a positive team dynamic and achieved common goals. This will resonate well with their emphasis on working together to achieve great things.
✨Be Ready to Adapt
With innovation at the heart of the company, they value adaptability. Prepare to discuss times when you've had to learn new techniques or technologies quickly. Showing that you're proactive and open to continuous improvement will align perfectly with their mission and culture.
