Pre-Apprentice Machinist

muellerwaterproducts; Kimball (TN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Mueller Water Products invites applications for a Machinist Pre‑Apprentice at our Kimball, TN facility. You will learn in coordination with partnering high school instruction to assist machinists in setup, programming, operation, and maintenance of CNC and other industrial machinery.

You will gain hands‑on experience while developing skills in GD&T, part measurement, and tooling, with guidance from seasoned machinists and supervisors.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in High School Manufacturing Practicum, junior year.
• In good academic standing with hosting school.
• Strong commitment to safety standards.
• Basic math skills for measurements.
• Ability to read simple engineering drawings and plans.

Responsibilities

• Complete required training and coursework with partnering high school as part of Pre‑Apprentice Program.
• Read blueprints and GD&T to understand tolerances and specs.
• Develop understanding of milling and lathe programming concepts and tooling.
• Assist machinists in setup of mills and lathes: chucks, tools, attachments, and stops.
• Assist in loading and adjusting bar feeder systems.
• Verify settings by measuring positions and first‑run parts.
• Maintain quality by following procedures and reporting issues.
• Develop machine maintenance skills through routine upkeep.
• Document production and quality logs as required.
• Keep work area clean and organized and follow safety procedures.

Skills

Safety standards

Basic math

Blueprint reading

Machining basics

Micrometer use

Education

High School Manufacturing Practicum

Tools

Calipers

Dial indicators

Wrenches

Job description

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.

Pre‑Apprentice Machinist 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.

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