Tooling Engineer

Mueller Water Products • Albertville, AL

23h

About The Position

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. Tooling Engineer Key Responsibilities Tooling Design & Development Design and engineer patterns, tooling, coreboxes, flasks, matchplates, and fixtures for Lost Foam and green sand molding processes. Develop gating, riser, venting, and pattern layouts to meet metallurgical, dimensional, and surface finish requirements. Specify tooling materials, coatings, and construction methods appropriate for production volume, process capability, and foundry environment. Support additive-manufactured tooling, hybrid tooling, and traditional pattern construction methods. Manufacturing & Process Support Collaborate with foundry operations to ensure tooling is manufacturable, maintainable, and optimized for production throughput. Support tooling tryouts, first-article runs, and production launch activities. Troubleshoot tooling-related casting defects such as misruns, porosity, erosion, burn-in, mold shift, and dimensional non-conformance. Lead tooling modifications and continuous improvement initiatives to improve yield, scrap, and cycle time. Engineering Analysis & Documentation Create and maintain tooling drawings, BOMs, specifications, and change documentation. Participate in DFMEA/PFMEA activities related to tooling and molding processes. Support simulation activities (e.g., mold fill/solidification analysis) to validate tooling concepts prior to build. Ensure tooling designs comply with internal standards, customer requirements, and applicable industry specifications. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with Product Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Maintenance, and external tooling suppliers. Support cost-reduction and value-engineering initiatives related to tooling design and reuse. Provide technical guidance to pattern shops and external vendors during tool fabrication.

Requirements

• Proven experience in foundry tooling, pattern design, or molding processes supporting Lost Foam and/or green sand molding operations.
• Practical working knowledge of pattern construction, gating and risering, mold design, and tooling functionality in a production foundry environment.
• Ability to interpret and apply engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Experience using 3D CAD software (Creo, SolidWorks, NX, or similar) for tooling and pattern design.
• Strong understanding of casting fundamentals including metal flow, solidification, shrinkage, and defect prevention.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot tooling-related casting issues on the foundry floor.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, and suppliers.
• Continuous improvement and cost-reduction orientation

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with additive manufacturing for tooling or patterns.
• Familiarity with casting simulation tools (e.g., MAGMA, ProCAST, FLOW-3D).
• Experience supporting high-volume production foundries or automated molding lines.
• Knowledge of tooling cost estimating and supplier management.
• Hands-on experience with tooling tryouts and shop-floor troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Tooling Design & Development Design and engineer patterns, tooling, coreboxes, flasks, matchplates, and fixtures for Lost Foam and green sand molding processes.
• Develop gating, riser, venting, and pattern layouts to meet metallurgical, dimensional, and surface finish requirements.
• Specify tooling materials, coatings, and construction methods appropriate for production volume, process capability, and foundry environment.
• Support additive-manufactured tooling, hybrid tooling, and traditional pattern construction methods.
• Manufacturing & Process Support Collaborate with foundry operations to ensure tooling is manufacturable, maintainable, and optimized for production throughput.
• Support tooling tryouts, first-article runs, and production launch activities.
• Troubleshoot tooling-related casting defects such as misruns, porosity, erosion, burn-in, mold shift, and dimensional non-conformance.
• Lead tooling modifications and continuous improvement initiatives to improve yield, scrap, and cycle time.
• Engineering Analysis & Documentation Create and maintain tooling drawings, BOMs, specifications, and change documentation.
• Participate in DFMEA/PFMEA activities related to tooling and molding processes.
• Support simulation activities (e.g., mold fill/solidification analysis) to validate tooling concepts prior to build.
• Ensure tooling designs comply with internal standards, customer requirements, and applicable industry specifications.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with Product Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Maintenance, and external tooling suppliers.
• Support cost-reduction and value-engineering initiatives related to tooling design and reuse.
• Provide technical guidance to pattern shops and external vendors during tool fabrication.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level