Pattern Maker Apprentice

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak

Join Our Team at voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak!

Embark on a rewarding career journey with voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, North America's premier designer and manufacturer of special trackwork. With a legacy spanning 160 years, we lead the industry in shaping the future of rail solutions. As part of the voestalpine Railway Systems global network, we are committed to delivering quality products and services, including rails, turnouts, fastening systems, signaling technologies, and monitoring solutions.

Operating with a presence across Canada, the US, and Mexico, we prioritize the well-being of our people, global mobility, and sustainability and innovation.

Our people are the foundation of our success. Skilled, motivated, and results-driven individuals shape our culture demonstrating our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Curiosity, Courage, Passion, and Diversity each day. This commitment is more than shared values; it extends to shared responsibilities for safety and quality, showing genuine care for one another's growth and development, a commitment to our customers, and fostering strong relationships within the Nortrak Team and with our customers.

Reporting to the Department Supervisor, the Pattern Maker Apprentice is responsible for learning and developing skills in pattern making and related processes. This includes gaining proficiency with hand and power tools, woodworking equipment (such as table saws, band saws, planers, belt sanders, and routers), and measuring tools. The apprentice will also learn to work with bond filler, understand the features of Cope & Drag and Ram & Swing, and perform pattern swaps in and out of frames or on iron plates.

The role emphasizes safety, accuracy, and adherence to company standards while progressing through the training program.

• Cut and shape parts using equipment such as band saws, lathes, planers, and routers.
• Fit and fasten parts together to form patterns or sections using glue, nails, dowels, and screws.
• Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces using hand tools such as planes, draw knives, chisels, and mallets.
• Assemble sections and verify dimensions of completed patterns using templates, straightedges, calipers, and protractors.
• Apply fillets along interior angles of patterns.
• Construct templates for shaping irregular curves in patterns as needed.
• Build wooden models when required.
• Repair broken or damaged patterns and make corrections to compensate for casting defects which may be designated as Pattern Setter.
• Adhere to Nortrak’s Environmental, Safety, and Quality Procedures, Practices, and Policies.

• High School graduate or GED preferred.
• Forklift and Crane certification preferred.
• Must have (2) years of technical training or equivalent experience and at least one (1) year of related mechanical experience in hydraulics, electronics repair and related mechanical applications.
• Basic mathematical calculation experience in adding and subtracting whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
• Proficient in using measuring tools such as rulers and tape measures.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, Inspection Test Plans (ITPs) and Blueprints preferred.

• Frequent standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing, and pushing, pulling, or lifting objects for the duration of your required schedule shift.
• Use hands and arms to operate tools, handle materials, and reach for the duration of your required scheduled shift.
• Regularly lift and carry 30–35 pounds; occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
• Hearing abilities necessary to perform job tasks safely and effectively.

• Decatur, Illinois

• $22.50/hr - $24.70/hr

• A supportive, family oriented Nortrak Blue culture
• We provide an environment where Health and Safety is our #1 priority
• Career development opportunities and competitive pay progression
• Competitive medical, dental & vision benefits
• Company paid life and disability insurance
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Retirement plan…