Job Information
John Deere Waterloo Works Foundry Skilled: Pattern Maker in Waterloo Works, Iowa
John Deere Waterloo Foundry: Pattern Maker
As a Pattern Maker with John Deere Waterloo Foundry, you will:
Lay out, construct, finish, check, modify and maintain complex wood, metal, plaster and/or plastic patterns, models, and related pattern equipment. This includes core boxes and fixtures which have angles and relationships between holes and sections difficult to hold and which require considerable hand work due to the number of projections or angles.
Job details are dependent on duties assigned but in general consist of the following:
Make preliminary study of prints and make layout, sketches, and templates as necessary.
Select wood or block of metal to be used or rough casting or any other material which may be provided.
Determine parting line of pattern, amount of draft to be allowed, and type of cores to be used to produce castings. In addition, determine shrinkage to be expected.
Make allowances for machining and decide on working procedure.
Assemble parts and fasten together with screws, bolts, dowels, solder, glue, etc.
Finish metal pattern by filling low spots, misruns, and joints with solder or other material, then filing, scraping, grinding, sanding, and polishing.
Finish wood pattern by filling cracks and joints and making radii in angles with wood fillets, wax, or putty. File, sand and coat with shellac, lacquer, or other material.
Layout, construct and finish plastic or plaster patterns or core boxes.
Check, modify, and maintain existing wood, metal, plaster, plastic patterns, models, and supplementary equipment such as core patterns, core boxes, core driers, sample flasks, fixtures, etc.
Use and maintain standard pattern maker tools and equipment.
Assist and support other team members and work with minimal supervision.
Clean work area and perform other miscellaneous duties inherent to the job.
Work shifts (choice of shift based on seniority).
Go over job with supervisor, designer, or foundry supervisor to straighten out problems of construction or molding.
Finish up rough castings made from wood pattern and make plaster casts.
Instruct and direct work of apprentices.
Minimum Qualifications:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must have at least one of the following:
High School Diploma or G.E.D.
National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
At least 3 years of manufacturing work experience
Patternmaking or Tool & Die Making journeyperson’s card or a related AAS diploma with at least two years of relevant work experience.
Ability to perform manual tasks related to described job duties for duration of work shift; including but not limited to frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting.
Ability and willingness to work potential overtime (including weekends).
Why Work at John Deere? Why Work anywhere else?
If you strive to do great work, excel in creative environments, thrive in teams, and live for problem solving – this is the place for you.
At John Deere, your ideas, experiences, and values matter.
Please see below for a summary of the value of your John Deere career and total rewards available to you to support you and your well-being.
Highly competitive base pay and performance bonuses
Savings & Retirement benefits
Wellbeing – Physical and Mental Healthcare
Paid Holidays & Competitive Vacation Packages
Employee Assistance Programs
Tuition Assistance
Fitness subsidies and on-site gyms at specific Deere locations
Charitable contribution match
Rebate Program & numerous discount programs for personal use
John Deere is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.