Automotive Painter

Seniority Mid-Level
Posted Mar 12, 2026

ETA SA (Swatch Group) — Grenchen, Switzerland seeks an Automotive Painter (on-site, 80–100%) to deliver precision surface coatings for Swiss-made products.

Overview

ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse is a precision watch and movement manufacturer within the Swatch Group. The company specialises in the production of Swiss-made watches, movements and components and operates in a highly technical, industrial environment that values craftsmanship, engineering excellence and continuous improvement.

Role & Responsibilities

  • Prepare, mask and sand substrates to ensure optimal adhesion and surface finish prior to coating.
  • Mix and match paints and primers to achieve exact colour and gloss specifications.
  • Operate spray equipment (HVLP and airless systems) and automated spray booths to apply primers, basecoats and clearcoats.
  • Perform wet and dry finishing processes, including polishing and detailing, to meet quality standards.
  • Carry out in-process quality inspections, document results and rectify surface defects to maintain product conformity.
  • Maintain and calibrate paint-mixing and application equipment, and ensure paint booth cleanliness and safe ventilation.
  • Adhere to environmental, health and safety regulations for handling, storage and disposal of coating materials.
  • Collaborate with production, quality and maintenance teams to optimise throughput and reduce rework.

Qualifications

  • Completed vocational training or apprenticeship in automotive painting, industrial coating or a related trade.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of paint chemistry, primers, clearcoats and application techniques.
  • Proven ability to perform precise colour matching and achieve consistent surface finishes.
  • Strong manual dexterity, attention to detail and commitment to quality standards.
  • Willingness to work on-site in a production environment and to comply with safety procedures.

Skills

HVLP spray guns Airless spray systems Paint mixing systems Spray booth operation Masking and surface preparation tools Thickness gauges Colour matching techniques (spectrophotometer familiarisation) Quality inspection and defect rectification

Experience

Proven experience in automotive or industrial spray painting within a production or manufacturing context; experience delivering consistent, high-quality finishes and working to tight tolerances is expected.

Education

Vocational qualification/apprenticeship in automotive painting, industrial painting or an equivalent technical trade.

Culture

The workplace emphasises precision, technical mastery and collaborative problem-solving typical of Swiss watch manufacturing. The environment is multicultural and process-driven, with a strong focus on craftsmanship, continuous improvement and adherence to the highest quality standards.