Patternmaker Apprentice

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.  



Union - Apprentice

Patternmaker Apprentice Job Description 

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 General Laborer - Factory in our Chattanooga, 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 to 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 to be a part of something that sustains and enriches the lives of every human being. As a Patternmaker Apprentice, you will... 

Patternmaker Apprenticeship Program (Registered Apprenticeship – TDOL) 

The Patternmaker Apprenticeship Program is a Tennessee Department of Labor–registered apprenticeship designed to develop skilled Patternmakers through a structured combination of related technical instruction and supervised on-the-job training. 

Program Components: 

• Related Technical Instruction (RTI): 
• Completion of two (2) years of formal classroom instruction at Chattanooga State Community College in courses aligned with patternmaking, machining fundamentals, blueprint reading, mathematics, and manufacturing processes 
• Successful completion of Tooling U online coursework to supplement classroom instruction and reinforce industry-recognized competencies 
• Completion of a short-term introductory carpentry course covering foundational woodworking, hand tools, power tools, safety practices, and material selection 
• On-the-Job Training (OJT): 
• A minimum of 8,000 hours of structured, supervised on-the-job training under the guidance of a qualified Journey worker 
• Progressive skill development in pattern layout, construction, modification, repair, and maintenance, including the use of hand tools, machine tools, and precision measuring equipment 
• Training aligned with a defined work process schedule in accordance with TDOL apprenticeship requirements 

Program Completion: 

• Upon successful completion of all RTI and OJT requirements, apprentices will be eligible for a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship issued by the Tennessee Department of Labor. 

The primary training functions include, but are not limited to:  

• Work safely in the manufacturing production environment 
• Follow detailed verbal/written assembly instructions, processes, and procedures 
• Operate hand power tools, presses, drills, lifts, and control equipment efficiently and safely 
• Perform quality control checks and verification of work order specifications 
• Properly fill out basic forms, reports, and label products correctly 
• Report problems with quality, processes, equipment and materials to Production Supervisor 
• Record daily all work performed and correct distribution of work time 
• Keep the department/work area clean of trash and debris 
• Fill in areas of need as needed to cover absences 
• Use software systems as needed to complete job duties 
• Contribute to culture of high-quality products 
• Maintains a clean and organized work area to facilitate manufacturing functions 
• Perform other job-related duties and fill in where needed as directed by supervisor or team leader 
• The Supervisor will instruct each employee in the responsibilities as listed in the procedures 
• The Supervisor will inform each employee where to access the procedure manual 
• Covert engineering draws effective foundry patterns and core boxes. 
• Ability to calculate casting weight and develop design for costing. 
• Familiarity with gating, risers and foundry methods.   
• Casting drawings and new pattern/tooling development. 
• Ability to assist in the planning and making of a layout for a pattern from the mechanical drawing of the finished article. 
• Safety processes in the plant including environmental policies and standard SOPs. 
• Basic understanding of molding and core making processes along with tilt/pour mold processes. 
• Prototype design, machining, 3D modeling, programming or pattern making. 
• Ability to review and interpret blueprints of parts to be cast, computing dimensions, and plan the sequences of operations. 
• Ability to lay out patterns into sections according to shape of casting to facilitate removal of pattern from the mold, including coring, gating, and other foundry practices with the appropriate marking and measuring devices. 
• Perform Cutting, forming, and shaping pattern parts using general shop machinery such as power sawing machines, drilling and boring machines, lathes, planning and smoothing machines, grinders, sanders, milling and automatic control machine 

Required Education: 

• High School diploma/GED  

Responsibilities: 

• Work Safely in the Manufacturing Production Environment.  
• Follow detailed verbal / written assembly instructions, processes, and procedures. 
• Read and understand customer work orders and assembly instructions. 
• Prepare and assemble materials and parts in a manufacturing production environment. 
• Move, process, and organize materials and manufactured products. 
• Operate hand power tools, presses, mills, lathes, drills, lifts, control equipment efficiently and safely 
• Perform quality control checks and verification of work order specifications. 
• Properly fill out basic forms, reports, and label products correctly 
• Communicates and works effectively with others. 
• May provide hands on and verbal job function training to coworkers as needed. 
• Report problems with quality, processes, equipment and materials to Production Supervisor. 
• Maintains a clean and organized work area to facilitate manufacturing functions. 

Work is scheduled Monday through Thursday. Shifts are 10 hours with mandatory overtime shifts.  Overtime is paid on time, worked over 40 hours a week. The facility does have multiple shifts; employees MUST be flexible and may be required to change shifts. 

Job Expectations: 

• Ability to use hands on evaluation of parts/work. 
• Ability to frequently sit, stand, walk, reach within hands and arm’s length, stoop, kneel, and crouch. 
• Ability to lift and/or move 25 pounds, and up to 50 pounds. 
• Specific vision requirements include close vision and color vision. 
• Ability to use power tools, air tools and other vibratory tools. 
• Ability to work from a standing position for extended periods of time. 
• Ability to work around hot heavy machinery  
• Ability to work in an open warehouse environment, subject to seasonal weather (extreme hot/cold) 
• Ability to travel from plant to school areas 

Required and/or Recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): 

• Safety Glasses 
• Hearing Protection 
• Steel Toe/Met Guard Shoes 

Mueller is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other category protected by law.







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. 





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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.