MSC Riding Gang Painter / Chipper

Amentum, a global leader in advanced engineering, technical, and professional services serving the U.S. government, allies, and critical infrastructure sectors, is seeking an MSC Riding Gang Painter / Chipper to support a unique U.S. Navy program based on the island of Diego Garcia.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Riding Gang team performing preservation, chipping, scraping, sanding, and coating work aboard MSC vessels.
• Prepare surfaces by removing rust, corrosion, old coatings, and debris using hand tools, pneumatic tools, grinders, and chipping hammers.
• Assist with coating application, touch‑ups, and preservation tasks in accordance with MSC, Navy, and industry standards.
• Support corrosion‑control activities, including surface prep, priming, and painting of ship structures, compartments, and equipment.
• Ensure proper use of paint materials, tools, PPE, and equipment, maintaining cleanliness and readiness of all assigned gear.
• Follow instructions from supervisors to complete preservation tasks safely, efficiently, and to required quality standards.
• Maintain accurate logs, material usage notes, and basic documentation related to paint and preservation activities.
• Assist with setup, staging, containment, and cleanup of work areas aboard vessels.
• Ensure all preservation and coating activities comply with environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate progress, issues, and safety concerns to supervisors and ship leadership as required.

Minimum Requirements

• 1–3 years of experience in marine painting, chipping, preservation, corrosion control, or related maintenance fields.
• High school diploma or equivalent; additional training in coatings, corrosion control, or marine maintenance preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain facility credentials/authorization.
• Employees must read, speak, and comprehend English to the extent that they can perform the contract requirements and comply with installation emergency procedures.
• Passport must be valid for a minimum of one (1) year or more at the time of hiring.
• Ability to obtain country-specific visas per the U.S. Department of State Foreign Clearance Guide.
• Ability to successfully pass contract medical requirements and maintain compliance throughout the duration of deployment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting MSC, maritime operations, shipboard maintenance, or Riding Gang programs.
• Familiarity with Navy preservation standards, coating systems, and corrosion‑control procedures.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to follow technical instructions.
• Experience working in shipboard, industrial, or confined‑space environments.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain country‑specific visas per the U.S. Department of State Foreign Clearance Guide.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Safety: Amentum enforces a safety culture whereby all employees have the responsibility for continuously developing and maintaining a safe work environment. As appropriate, each employee is responsible for completing all training requirements, fulfilling all self‑aid/buddy aid responsibilities, participating in emergency response tasks, and serving on safety committees and teams.
• Quality: Quality is the foundation for the management of our business and the keystone to our goal of customer satisfaction. It is our policy to consistently provide services that meet customer expectations. Accordingly, each employee must conform to the Amentum Quality Policy and carry out job activities in compliance with applicable Amentum Quality System documents and customer contracts. Each employee must read and understand their Quality Management and Customer Satisfaction responsibilities.
• Procedure Compliance: Each employee must read, understand, and implement the general and specific operational, safety, quality, and environmental requirements of all plans, procedures, and policies pertaining to the job.

Working Environment

This position is located on Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), a remote overseas location supporting U.S. Government operations. Employees may work in office, industrial, warehouse, port, airfield, and outdoor environments and may be exposed to high temperatures, humidity, inclement weather, noise, dust, and uneven terrain. Work schedules may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on operational requirements.

Physical Requirements

Requirements may include prolonged sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, lifting up to 25 pounds regularly and 50 pounds occasionally, and working in both indoor and outdoor environments. Must be able to meet all medical, security, and deployment requirements associated with assignment to a remote overseas location.