Metallurgist

Metallurgist

Mueller – Decatur, IL

Shape the Future of Brass Metallurgy - Mueller is seeking a highly skilled Metallurgist to join our team in Decatur, IL—a critical role at the intersection of metallurgy, manufacturing, and innovation. This position is ideal for a technically driven professional who thrives in a hands-on foundry environment and wants to directly influence material performance, process capability, and product quality at scale.

At Mueller, you won't just support production—you'll drive metallurgical advancement across alloy development, process optimization, and defect reduction, helping us expand capabilities and unlock new market opportunities.

What You'll Do - As a key technical expert, you will partner closely with operations, engineering, and leadership to elevate metallurgical performance across our brass foundry and downstream processes.

Core Responsibilities:

• Lead metallurgical analysis and process improvements across melting, casting, heat treatment, and machining operations
• Drive reduction of micro-porosity, inclusions, and other casting defects through advanced process control and root cause analysis
• Develop and optimize brass alloys to enhance mechanical properties, manufacturability, and performance
• Spearhead technical projects such as chip reconstitution and scrap utilization strategies
• Improve yield, reduce scrap, and minimize non-conformances through data-driven methodologies
• Apply statistical analysis to anticipate process variation and improve manufacturing consistency
• Serve as a metallurgical authority supporting quality investigations, customer concerns, and internal troubleshooting
• Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance manufacturing capabilities and enable product innovation
• Train and mentor operations personnel on metallurgical principles, best practices, and process controls
• Identify opportunities to expand Mueller's material applications and support entry into new markets

What Sets This Role Apart

• Deep Technical Ownership: Direct influence over alloy selection, casting performance, and metallurgical quality
• Hands-On Impact: Work closely with melt decks, furnaces, and machining processes—not just behind a desk
• Innovation Focus: Drive real advancements in brass metallurgy, recycling, and process capability
• Growth Potential: Build expertise that positions you as a subject matter leader within Mueller

Required Education/Experience:

• BS or MS in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
• 4+ years of progressive metallurgical experience in a manufacturing environment
• Direct experience in brass foundry operations (required)
• Strong background in heat treatment and phase transformation behavior
• Working knowledge of machining impacts on metallurgical properties

Technical Strengths:

• Expertise in solidification, porosity control, and defect elimination
• Experience with alloy development and materials selection
• Strong analytical skills, including statistical process analysis
• Proven ability to translate metallurgical theory into practical, shop-floor improvements

Professional Traits:

• Hands-on, problem-solving mindset with strong ownership
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive change
• Passion for continuous improvement, materials science, and manufacturing excellence

Why Mueller

Mueller has a long-standing reputation in metal manufacturing, with a commitment to quality, innovation, and operational excellence. In Decatur, you'll join a team where metallurgical expertise is highly valued—and where your work will have a visible and lasting impact on both products and processes.

Salary/Pay Range: $94,067.00-$129,329.00

The compensation range above reflects a good-faith estimate of starting base pay for full-time (40 hours per week) employment as of the date of posting. Individual compensation may vary depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the role, professional experience, job-related skills, achievements, and/or work location. The range listed is only one component of the total compensation package offered to candidates.

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.

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.

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.

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.