Sr. Field Technical Service Representative

Company Information

RPM Industrial Coatings Group is home to 11 industry-leading coatings and finishing brands. Our dynamic portfolio includes liquid coatings, powder coatings, touch-up and repair products, sundries, adjuvants, and much more. You’ll find our products around the globe in industries from architecture and automotive to farming, forestry, marine, and more.

RPM Industrial Coatings Group is part of RPM International Inc., a $7.9 billion global company with subsidiaries that are market and industry leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials, and related services. From homes and workplaces to infrastructure and precious landmarks, RPM’s brands are trusted by consumers and professionals alike to help build a better world.

At TCI, Inc. we’re more than a premier supplier of powder coatings—we’re a team of innovators, problem-solvers, and customer champions, serving clients across North America. As an industry leader, we take pride in our people, products, and unmatched service, and we’re looking for talented individuals ready to help us grow even further.

Our commitment to excellence starts with our team. From Sales to Technical Service, Manufacturing to Customer Service, we offer exciting career opportunities that align with your strengths, ambitions, and goals. Whether you're looking to kickstart your career or take it to the next level, we provide clear paths to individual growth and overall company success.

Job Description

The Sr. Field Technical Service Representative serves as the organization's highest-level field technical resource, partnering with customers, sales teams, manufacturing, and product development to optimize coating performance and deliver exceptional customer support. This role provides expert consultation in industrial liquid and powder coating technologies, leads complex troubleshooting efforts, performs technical audits, delivers customer training, and identifies opportunities to improve process efficiency, quality, and productivity.

The successful candidate combines extensive coatings knowledge with exceptional problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building skills to help customers maximize the performance of their coating operations.

Main Responsibilities

Technical Support & Customer Service

• Provide advanced technical support to customers, distributors, prospects, and internal teams regarding liquid and powder coating technologies. 
• Serve as the primary technical resource for complex application issues, product performance concerns, and process optimization. 
• Build strong customer relationships by delivering responsive, value-added technical service. 
• Support sales and marketing initiatives through technical expertise and customer engagement. 

Process Optimization & Troubleshooting

• Lead investigations into coating defects, equipment performance, and process variability. 
• Conduct root cause analysis utilizing methodologies including: 
  • FMEA 
  • 5 Why Analysis 
  • Fishbone Analysis 
  • Statistical Process Control 
  • Design of Experiments (DOE) 
• Diagnosing and resolving issues including: 
  • Adhesion failures 
  • Orange peel 
  • Solvent pop 
  • Cratering 
  • Blistering 
  • Cure deficiencies 
  • Film build variation 
  • Corrosion failures 
  • Powder contamination 
  • Reclaim system performance 

Coating Systems Expertise

• Provide technical expertise across industrial finishing operations including: 
  • Liquid coating systems 
  • Powder coating systems 
  • Pretreatment processes 
  • Surface preparation 
  • Material handling systems 
  • Conveyor systems 
  • Cure technologies 
  • Automated and robotic application systems 
• Maintain expert knowledge of coating chemistries including solventborne, waterborne, high-solids, epoxy, polyurethane, alkyd, polyester, hybrid, acrylic, and architectural coating systems. 

Laboratory Testing & Process Validation

• Perform and interpret laboratory and field testing in accordance with ASTM, PCI, AAMA, ISO, and customer specifications. 
• Utilize testing equipment and methodologies including: 
  • Salt Spray 
  • G85 Cyclic Corrosion 
  • QUV 
  • FTIR 
  • DSC 
  • XRF 
  • MEK Resistance 
  • Gloss Measurement 
  • Color Analysis 
  • Impact Testing 
  • Flexibility Testing 
  • Hardness Testing 
• Operate Datapaq equipment and analyze thermal profiles to validate curing processes. 
• Interpret laboratory results and correlate testing data with customer specifications and manufacturing performance. 

Auditing, Reporting & Training

• Conduct technical audits, certification assessments, and process evaluations. 
• Develop detailed technical reports documenting observations, findings, corrective actions, and recommendations. 
• Deliver technical training programs for customers, distributors, sales personnel, and manufacturing teams. 
• Present technical information clearly to groups of varying technical backgrounds. 
• Represent the company at customer events, industry meetings, and technical seminars. 

Collaboration & Leadership

• Partner with Sales, Marketing, R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to support customer success. 
• Lead technical initiatives that improve customer productivity, product performance, and operational efficiency. 
• Promote continuous improvement through technical expertise and best-practice sharing. 

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience. 
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in industrial coatings with demonstrated expertise in liquid coating technologies and strong working knowledge of powder coating systems. 
• Extensive knowledge of industrial finishing processes including pretreatment, application equipment, curing technologies, and process optimization. 
• Experience in performing technical troubleshooting and root cause analysis in manufacturing environments. 
• Demonstrated experience conducting laboratory and field evaluations using recognized industry testing standards. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare technical reports and deliver presentations. 
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. 
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. 
• Valid passport or ability to obtain one. 
• Willingness to travel extensively, including overnight travel (approximately 50–70%, depending on business needs). 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting OEM, agricultural, architectural, transportation, heavy equipment, or general industrial finishing operations. 
• Knowledge of automated and robotic coating application systems. 
• Experience with powder coating reclaim systems and process optimization. 
• Experience conducting applicator certification audits. 
• Familiarity with ASTM, PCI, AAMA, and ISO testing standards. 
• Experience using statistical analysis and continuous improvement methodologies such as SPC, DOE, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma. 
• Experience delivering technical presentations and customer training programs. 
• Working knowledge of infrared, convection, catalytic, and combination curing technologies. 
• Experience with laboratory instrumentation including FTIR, DSC, XRF, Datapaq, and color measurement systems. 
• Demonstrated success building long-term customer partnerships through technical consulting and service excellence.