Job DescriptionPosition: Surface Treatment Operator
Department: Production – Surface Treatment / Plating
Industry: Fasteners Manufacturing (Automotive, Industrial & Engineering Components)
Location: Plant
Reports To: Surface Treatment Supervisor / Production In-charge
Experience: 3–4 Years
Qualification: ITI / Diploma (Mechanical, Metallurgy, Chemical) or 10th/12th with relevant experience
Job Summary
The Surface Treatment Operator is responsible for carrying out surface treatment processes such as zinc plating, phosphating, blackening, passivation, pickling, and other coating operations on fasteners as per customer specifications. The role ensures product quality, corrosion resistance, adherence to process parameters, and compliance with safety and environmental standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate surface treatment and electroplating lines as per standard operating procedures.
- Prepare and load fasteners into barrels, baskets, or jigs for plating and coating processes.
- Monitor process parameters including chemical concentration, pH, temperature, current density, plating time, and coating thickness.
- Perform zinc plating, phosphating, black oxide, passivation, pickling, and other surface finishing processes as per production requirements.
- Inspect finished components for coating quality, colour, adhesion, corrosion resistance, and visual defects.
- Carry out coating thickness checks using measuring instruments and maintain process records.
- Perform routine chemical additions as instructed and report deviations to the supervisor.
- Identify and segregate defective or rejected parts.
- Maintain production reports, chemical consumption records, and shift logs.
- Coordinate with the Quality, Maintenance, and Production departments to resolve process issues.
- Follow preventive maintenance schedules and maintain equipment cleanliness.
- Ensure compliance with 5S, PPE usage, safety procedures, and environmental regulations.
- Handle chemicals safely and follow hazardous material handling procedures.
- Support continuous improvement, Kaizen, and productivity initiatives. Surface treatment operators are typically expected to monitor coating quality, process parameters, and safe chemical handling while maintaining production records and equipment cleanliness.
Required Skills
- Knowledge of zinc plating, phosphating, black oxide, passivation, and pickling processes.
- Understanding of electroplating chemicals and process control.
- Ability to operate plating barrels, rectifiers, dryers, and associated equipment.
- Knowledge of coating thickness measurement and visual inspection techniques.
- Familiarity with production documentation and process records.
- Basic understanding of corrosion protection and surface finishing.
- Ability to troubleshoot minor process abnormalities.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
Preferred Technical Knowledge
- Zinc Electroplating
- Zinc Flake Coating (preferred)
- Phosphating
- Black Oxide Coating
- Passivation
- Hydrogen Embrittlement Relief Baking
- Salt Spray Test Awareness
- Coating Thickness Measurement
- ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 awareness
- 5S, Kaizen, and Lean Manufacturing
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Production target achievement
- First-pass quality
- Rejection percentage
- Coating thickness compliance
- Chemical consumption control
- Machine uptime
- 5S and safety compliance
- Zero environmental or safety violations
Working Conditions
- Rotational shifts.
- Work in chemical processing and plating environments.
- Mandatory use of PPE, including gloves, safety shoes, goggles, apron, and respirator where applicable.
Salary Range
₹22,000 – ₹30,000 per month (depending on experience and technical competency)
Career Progression
Surface Treatment Operator → Senior Surface Treatment Operator → Surface Treatment Setter → Surface Treatment Supervisor → Production Executive
Pay: ₹25,000.00 - ₹30,000.00 per month
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
