Pre-Apprentice Machinist

Who We Are:

Thank you for your interest in Mueller Water Products, Inc.  

For more than 165 years, Mueller Water Products, Inc. has been building the future of water infrastructure. From lifesaving fire protection to data intelligence, we are committed to developing products and solutions that help cities and utilities deliver clean, safe drinking water to hundreds of millions of people across North America.   

Our purpose is to connect communities to water, life’s most essential resource, with exceptional, people solutions and products. Behind that purpose is a dedicated team, united by our shared values of respect, integrity, trust, inclusion and safety. With a vision to be the leader in water infrastructure solutions—solving challenges, enriching lives and safeguarding the future—we are making a positive impact that will last for generations.   

By joining Mueller, you become part of a dynamic team dedicated to excellence and innovation, working collaboratively to achieve meaningful results. We champion our people because when they succeed, our communities thrive. We invite you to learn more about career opportunities with us and consider submitting your application.  

Mueller Water Products is the nation's leading manufacturer of flow control devices for the water and gas distribution industries and has an immediate opening for a Machinist Pre-Apprentice in our newest Kimball, TN facility. For over 160 years MWP’s manufacturing commitment has ensured one of the world’s most precious resources, clean drinking water, reaches millions of people daily. Come be a part of something that sustains and enriches the lives of every human being.

Job Description:

Mueller’s manufacturing commitment ensures one of the world’s most precious resources, clean drinking water, reaches millions of people daily. Come be a part of something that sustains and enriches the lives of every human being.  As a Machinist Pre-Apprentice, you will learn in coordination with partnering high school instruction to assist machinists in the setup, programming, operation, and maintenance of CNC and various other types of industrial machinery.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Completes required training and coursework in accordance with standards set by partnering high school as part of Pre-Apprentice Program prior to beginning on-the-job training hours with Mueller.

• Obtain basic ability to read blueprints, engineering plans, material documents, specifications, orthographic drawings, reference planes, locations of surfaces, and machining parameters, interpreting geometric dimensions and tolerances (GD&T).

• Develop an understanding of mill and lathe programming through conversational software & G & M code, including zero and reference points; setting tool registers, offsets, compensation, and conditional switches; calculating requirements, including basic math, geometry, and trigonometry; proving out part programs.

• Assist under direction and observation of qualified machinists in the setup of mills and lathes by installing and adjusting three- and four-jaw chucks, tools, attachments, collets, bushings, cams, gears, stops, and stock pushers, indicating vices, and tramming heads.

• Assist under direction and observation of machinists in the setup, loading, and adjusting of bar feeder systems.

• Assist in verifying settings by measuring positions, first-run part, and sample workpieces.

• Under the direction of machinists maintains specifications by observing drilling, grooving, and cutting, including turning, facing, thread chasing operations, taking measurements, detecting malfunctions, adjusting, and reprogramming controls, replacing worn tools, adhering to quality assurance procedures and processes.

• Develops skills in machine maintenance by assisting machinists in regular upkeep and basic preventative maintenance of machines.

• Signals issues or irregularities to appropriate machinist, team lead, or supervisor.

• Develop a comprehension of the process of documentation as a machinist by completing production and quality logs.

• Assist in keeping work area and department clean and organized.

• Maintains safe operations by adhering to safety procedures and regulations. Also, flags any equipment or safety issues to lead, supervisors, maintenance, or EHS teams utilizing “Stop, Call, Wait” procedure.

Required Skills:

• Strong personal commitment to maintaining appropriate safety standards.

• Basic math skills with the ability to understand measuring/measurement concepts and their applications.

• Familiarity with basic machine hand tools such as impact drivers, adjustable wrenches, pry bars, channel lock pliers, dial calipers, screwdrivers, dial calipers, torque wrenches, etc.

• Ability to read and use micrometer calipers and other measuring devices.

Required Education/Experience:

• Currently enrolled in High School Manufacturing Practicum, with at least a junior standing.

• Considered to be in good academic standing with hosting high school.

• Must be registered with the appropriate state entity as a registered Pre-Apprentice.

• Has been recognized by the host school as having successfully completed and passed Principles of Machining I & Principles of Machining II coursework.

• Must have successfully completed school-sponsored OSHA 10 safety certificate.

• Must be at least 16 years of age or older.

Other Requirements and Restrictions:

• Pre-Apprentice will only work during standard business hours of M-F unless otherwise defined.

• Pre-Apprentices will not work more than 20 hours per week during their defined school term unless otherwise defined.

• Pre-Apprentices will only operate machinery under the direct and close supervision of a qualified and experienced person.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including, but not limited to, safety glasses, steel-toed or metatarsal-guarded shoes, and/or earplugs, while working in an industrial and/or manufacturing environment. 

• Ability to use hands to handle, feel, or manipulate objects with fingers.

• Ability to frequently sit, stand, walk, reach within hand’s and/or arm’s length.

• Ability to frequently stoop, kneel, and crouch. 

• Ability to occasionally reach overhead or at or below shoulder level.

• Ability to ascend or descend ladders or steps in confined spaces, as required by work area.

• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects between 25 and 50 pounds in all directions.

• Ability to remain in stationary or standing position for prolonged periods and to alternate between positions as necessary.

• Ability to repeat gross or fine manipulation that may include the use of wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

• Ability to perform close visual inspections of products, which may include specific vision requirements.

• Ability to work in an open warehouse environment, subject to seasonal weather (hot/cold).

Mueller Water Products, Inc., as well as its subsidiaries, are equal employment employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression), age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In keeping with its obligations under applicable federal, state, and local law, Mueller will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or interview process, please contact a member of the Human Resources Department. 

This employer participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a web-based system that allows employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. The system compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. This notice applies to all applicants and employees, including those hired to work remotely.  

Notice of E-Verify Participation:

Accommodation:

If you require accommodations during any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know. We are happy to work with you to meet your needs.