Industrial Abrasive Blaster
Job Description
The Industrial Abrasive Blaster prepares steel tanks and other steel structures for coating by performing abrasive blasting using media such as steel grit, Black Beauty, or Starblast. This role involves setting up and operating dry-blast equipment, following detailed work instructions and surface preparation standards, and working safely in ladders, elevated areas, and confined spaces. Quality, safety, and adherence to surface profile and cleanliness requirements are central to the position.
If interested with relevant experience please text Jay with Aerotek Aviation and upload/text an updated resume. Text Jay @ 850 208 6567
Responsibilities
Set up and operate dry-blast equipment, including blast pots, air dryers, compressors, hoses, and nozzles, in accordance with work instructions and safety procedures.
Perform abrasive blasting on steel tanks, structural steel, pressure vessels, fabricated steel, heavy equipment, aerospace components, and other industrial surfaces using media such as steel grit, Black Beauty, and Starblast.
Read and follow work instructions and work orders to understand surface preparation standards, required blast profiles, and cleanliness levels.
Achieve specified surface profiles and cleanliness requirements in line with SSPC (surface preparation) standards and other applicable quality standards.
Prepare surfaces for painting and coating, including paint prep and surface prep, ensuring proper cleaning and readiness for industrial painting and coating processes.
Work inside large tanks and confined spaces, and climb ladders and steel structures as needed to access all areas requiring blasting.
Maintain strict adherence to quality and safety standards, making quality and safety top priorities in all tasks.
Operate in a heavy industrial, marine, shipyard, and manufacturing environment, supporting industrial painting, tank cleaning, sandblasting, and related operations.
Demonstrate mechanical aptitude in handling blasting equipment, troubleshooting basic issues, and maintaining proper equipment setup.
Follow all safety procedures, including those related to confined space work, hot environments, and dusty conditions.
Meet attendance expectations, work hard throughout the shift, and support weekend work and extended hours when required.
Lift and move materials and equipment weighing 50 pounds or more as part of daily work activities.
Contribute to building and supporting a newer team in the shop, maintaining a positive attitude and strong focus on quality and safety.
Essential Skills
At least 6+ months of experience in blasting, preferably abrasive blasting on structural steel, tanks, pressure vessels, fabricated steel, heavy equipment, or aerospace components.
Hands-on experience using abrasive blasting media such as Starblast, Black Beauty, and/or steel grit.
Experience with industrial blasting or sandblasting in heavy industrial, marine, shipyard, or manufacturing environments.
Understanding of basic setup and operation of dry-blasting equipment, including blast pots, air dryers, compressors, hoses, and nozzles.
Experience blasting on steel surfaces; specific tank blasting experience is a strong plus.
Knowledge and understanding of surface profile and surface cleanliness requirements, including SSPC surface preparation standards.
Ability to read and interpret work orders and work instructions accurately.
Ability to work in confined spaces and at heights, including climbing ladders and working inside large tanks and on steel structures.
Capability to work in hot, dirty, dusty environments in an open-air industrial shop.
Physical ability to lift 50+ pounds and perform physically demanding tasks throughout the shift.
Reliable attendance and strong work ethic, with the ability to work extended hours and weekends.
Strong focus on quality and safety, with commitment to adhering to both at the highest level.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in industrial painting, coating, and cleaning processes related to tanks and steel structures.
Prior Experience in marine, shipyard, or heavy industrial environments.
Mechanical aptitude for working with industrial equipment and tools.
Experience with tank cleaning and preparation for industrial coatings.
Comfort working in an older facility that is undergoing upgrades and improvements.
Ability to maintain a positive attitude and contribute to the development of a newer team.
Willingness to support first shift operations Monday through Friday, with regular Saturday work and extended daily hours.
Openness to working in hot and cold conditions in an outside open-air shop with roof or covering.
Why Work Here?
You join a company experiencing rapid growth at a pivotal time, with clear plans to transform the site into a world-class facility over time. You have opportunities for personal job growth and advancement, including regular performance evaluations for raises and two bonuses per year. Once you transition to permanent status, you typically receive an increase in pay, reflecting the value placed on long-term team members. The culture emphasizes quality, safety, and a strong, positive attitude, and you will be part of building and shaping a newer team in a facility that is actively investing in upgrades and improvements.
Work Environment
This role is based in a heavy industrial environment within an older facility that operates as an outside open-air shop with roof or covering. Conditions can be hot, cold, dirty, and dusty, and the shop is in the process of receiving upgrades to improve the workspace. The schedule is first shift, Monday through Friday, with regular Saturday work and extended hours: typically 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with an 8-hour day on Friday. Work is highly focused on quality, safety, and maintaining a strong attitude, and involves hot environments, confined spaces, ladders, steel structures, and industrial blasting equipment. Dress and personal protective equipment are consistent with heavy industrial blasting and painting operations, with a strong emphasis on safety at all times.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Jacksonville, FL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $25.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Jacksonville,FL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 19, 2026.
About Aerotek
Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.
Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
