Laboratory Technician
Mueller Water Products
- Location
- Onsite (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
- Employment
- Full-time
- Level
- Mid Level
About the role
Mueller Water Products is a leader in water infrastructure solutions, committed to delivering clean, safe drinking water and fire protection products. The Laboratory Technician role ensures high-quality production in a foundry environment through material testing and process monitoring.
Skills
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401k plan
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
Perks
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Student debt retirement matching
- Well-being program
- Employee Assistance Program
Full job details
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.


Laboratory Technician
Job Description
Job Summary:
The primary function of the person in this position is to perform necessary testing of materials and processes to insure consistent, high quality product is provided.
Essential Functions:
SAFETY
Emphasize safety and watching out for each other. Emphasize to the men to CHECK their equipment.
LAB WORK
Spectrometer
Clean the spark stand
Check the standard and adjust so the standard is read correctly
Analyze production samples, steel samples, and other samples as requested
Leco
Clean the Leco
Perform leak check and troubleshoot and repair leaks
Change all reagent tubes/filters as required
Order spare parts and consumable materials for Leco
Analyze production samples and other samples as requested
Analyze production samples
Analyze production samples using the Spectrometer, Leco, and or Ferrolab
Calculate furnace additions and communicate to furnace operators
FerroLab: Verify the calibration on the FerroLab(s) in use. Check against the Leco results Tensile Testing:
Ensure that all test bars are poured, labeled, and delivered to the pattern shop as required.
Perform tensile tests and enter the test data
Nodularity Testing:
Ensure that all nodularity samples are collected and analyzed from each tap of iron poured.
Polish the samples and evaluate the nodularity and enter into Xalt
Ensure that all suspect castings are quarantined or scrapped.
LASERPOUR
Help ensure the laser pour is setup correctly at the start of the shift.
Load the rod and check alignment with the nozzle before catching iron
Check positioning of the pig mold under the laserpour to make sure we do not have crash when line indexes.
Ensure inoculator is operational before catching iron
Know how to perform basic troubleshooting on the inoculator
Understand what the inoculator alarms mean and how to clear them
Be able to calibrate the inoculator.
Watch the molds being poured through the shift and work with the operators to coach them on proper pouring.
Coach them to keep the sprue full but do not overflow and waste iron.
Coach them to move a dripping nozzle away from the sprue until the pour event is started.
Burn out the nozzle as required to keep the sprue full.
Assist in changing out broken stopper rods. Communicate about tap sizes when the tap size changes.
OTHER
At shift start:
- Make sure all alloy hoppers are full
- Check setpoints on alloy addition system
- Coordinate with castline to determine if a wash heat is required.
- Ladles
- Furnaces
- Temperature sticks
- Charge cars
- Autopour
Write Maintenance WO’s as required and communicate with maintenance. Assist castline supervisor with putting flasks back on the gondolas just after the dump. Clean labs and work areas during downtime. Assist in covering weekend work in the melt department. Anything else to enhance the safety, quality, or productivity of the melt department.
Scope Data/Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
- Working in hazardous conditions such as molten metal, heat, fumes, and grinding tools
- Must work when iron is being poured and many weekends. Work up to twelve (12) hours per day
- Must be able to withstand extreme heat and cold.
- Must be able to walk up and down stairs constantly.
Skills, Knowledge, Abilities and Traits:
- High School diploma preferred with metallurgy knowledge and 2-3 years of foundry experience.
- Must be able to use Excel files to perform necessary calculations.
- Must be able to quickly and efficiently perform lab calculations.
- Must work well with hourly and salaried personnel.
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.
Other Compensation & Benefits:
Mueller offers an excellent salary and benefits package. Current benefit offerings include 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, and more.
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.
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.