Pre-Apprentice Welder

Mueller Water Products; Kimball (TN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401k with Company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Short-/Long-term disability

Vacation

Parental leave (paid)

Tuition reimbursement

Student debt retirement matching

Well-being program

Life insurance

Job summary

Mueller Water Products is seeking a Pre‑Apprentice Welder in Kimball, TN to learn welding and fabrication while supporting a high school partner program. You will assist Welders, read blueprints, and help ensure parts meet specifications.

Applicants must be enrolled in a high school manufacturing practicum, complete OSHA 10 safety, and be at least 16. This role offers hands-on training, safe supervision, and growth within a leading water infrastructure company.

Qualifications

• Safety-focused with adherence to procedures.
• Basic math for measurements and tolerances.
• Familiarity with common hand tools and measurement devices.

Responsibilities

• Read blueprints and weld symbols, and understand procedures.
• Assist in full-cycle fabrication under supervision.
• Verify parts match work orders on the BOM.
• Maintain specifications during drilling, grooving, and welding.
• Develop welding and fabrication skills.
• Record production and quality logs.
• Keep work area clean and organized.
• Follow safety procedures and report issues promptly.

Skills

Safety awareness

Basic math

Hand tools

Reading calipers

Education

High School Manufacturing Practicum

Tools

Dial calipers

Micrometer calipers

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 Welder

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 Pre‑Apprentice Welder in our newest Kimball, TN facility. For over 170 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 Pre‑Apprentice Welder, you will learn in coordination with partnering high school instruction to assist Welders in fabrication and welding.

Primary Responsibilities

• Completed required training and coursework in accordance with standards set by partnering high school as part of the Pre‑Apprentice Program prior to beginning on‑the‑job training hours with Mueller.
• Obtain the basic ability to read blueprints, understand weld symbols, weld procedures, engineering plans, material documents, specifications, reference planes, and locations of surfaces.
• Assist under the direction and observation of qualified Welder in full‑cycle fabrication processes.
• Assist in verifying parts match work orders on the BOM (Bill of Materials).
• Under the direction of a qualified Welder, the pre‑apprentice welder will need to be able to maintain specifications by observing drilling, grooving, and cutting, welding, taking measurements, detecting malfunctions, checking weld machine parameters, and adhering to quality assurance procedures and processes.
• Develop skills in welding and fabrication.
• Signals issues or irregularities to the appropriate Welder, team lead, or supervisor.
• Develop a comprehension of the process of documentation as a Welder by completing production and quality logs.
• Assist in keeping the 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 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. 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.
• Welders are also expected to wear fresh air welding hoods, flame resistant clothing, and any protection necessary for a weld job.
• 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).

Other Compensation & Benefits

• medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401k plan with 5% Company match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• short-term and long‑term disability benefits
• vacation
• 100% paid parental leave
• tuition reimbursement program
• student debt retirement matching
• well‑being program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• company‑provided life insurance
• supplemental insurance at group rates

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Notice of E-Verify Participation

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. Upon enrollment, employers participating in E-Verify are required to clearly display the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters in English and Spanish, both which may be accessed at the links provided below. IER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish) E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish) 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.

Mueller Water Products is Where Intelligence Meets Infrastructure® Mueller Water Products, Inc. (www.muellerwaterproducts.com) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of products and services used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of water in North America. Our broad product and service portfolio includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, pipe connection and repair products, metering products, leak detection, and pipe condition assessment. We help municipalities increase operational efficiencies, improve customer service and prioritize capital spending, demonstrating why Mueller Water Products is Where Intelligence Meets Infrastructure®. Mueller Water Products brands include Mueller®, Echologics®, Hydro Gate®, Hydro‑Guard®, HYMAX®, Jones®, Krausz®, Mi.Net®, Milliken®, Pratt®, Pratt Industrial®, Singer®, and U.S. Pipe Valve & Hydrant.