R&D Technician

Date: Jan 23, 2026

Location: US

Company: Leggett & Platt

We make life more comfortable.

 

Leggett & Platt’s overall mission is a commitment to enhance lives – by delivering quality products, offering empowering and rewarding careers, and doing our part in bringing about a better future.

 

Leggett & Platt’s inventive heritage and leadership in the residential products industry span more than 130 years. As The Components People, we are the leading supplier of a wide range of products and components for all areas of life, including mattress springs and carpet cushion, as well as bedding machinery and erosion-control products.

 

From aerospace tubing and fabricated assemblies to flooring underlayment and carpet cushion, Leggett & Platt has divisions that design, manufacture, and sell a variety of products. Our reliable product development and launch capability, coupled with our global footprint, make us a trusted partner for customers in the aerospace, hydraulic cylinders, flooring, textile, and geo components industries.

 

Learn more about the history of Leggett: https://leggett.com/history

 

Bedding

 

The world leader in bedding technology.

 

Leggett & Platt has been the driving force in bedding components technology since inventing the bedspring in 1885. Now, we own more mattress industry patents than anyone in the world.

 

Springs, foam, adjustable beds, machinery – our Bedding businesses design, produce, and supply innovative sleep solutions that help you rest comfortably.

 

Learn more about Bedding Components: L&P Bedding Group

 

Leggett & Platt, Incorporated is seeking an R&D Technician for its Adjustable Bed Group at the IDEA Center in Carthage, Missouri. The IDEA Center produces corporate innovations and supports Leggett & Platt businesses by strengthening their products capabilities. This position will report to the Shop Supervisor and will assist with various projects on the R&D shop floor. 

 

Essential Responsibilities

  • Assist in building engineering prototypes, samples, test fixtures, and tooling
  • Set up test prototypes, preform prototype inspections, and document findings
  • Maintain parts inventory and keep an orderly shop with necessary supplies
  • Upholster, prepare and stage finished products for internal meetings and external tradeshows
  • Inspects incoming product and records parts list for incoming materials
  • Additional duties may include shipping and receiving, local delivery and warehouse operations

 

Requirements

  • High School diploma or GED
  • Ability to use desktop PCs and Microsoft Suite
  • Operate wood working tools including saws, drill presses and sanders
  • Ability to read blueprints and schematics
  • Ability to regularly lift or move up to 50 pounds

 

Desired Skills

  • Fabrication and machining experience a strong plus
  • Fork truck experience or willingness to train
  • Experience with sewing and upholstery
  • CNC wood router experience a plus, or willingness to train
  • Oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present information to internal groups
  • Displays original creativity and is a problem-solver with a strong mechanical aptitude
  • Shows accuracy and thoroughness, attention to detail

 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package. While benefits may vary by location, we typically include 401K, medical, dental, vision, discount stock purchase plan, employee discounts and more. 

What to Do Next

Now that you’ve had a chance to learn more about us, what are you waiting for! Apply today and allow us the opportunity to learn more about you and the value you can bring to our team. Once you apply, be sure to create a profile, and sign up for job alerts, so you can be the first to know when new opportunities become available.

Our Values

Our values speak to our shared beliefs, and describe how we approach working together.

  • Put People First reflects our commitment to safety and care of each other, learning and development, and creating an environment of mutual respect, empathy and belonging.
  • Do the Right Thing focuses us on acting with honesty and integrity, delivering the results the right way, taking pride in our work, and speaking the truth – good or bad.
  • Do Great Work…Together occurs when we engage without hierarchy, collaborate as a team, embrace challenges, and work for the good of all of us.
  • Take Ownership and Raise the Bar demonstrates our responsibility to add value and make a difference, challenge the status quo and biases to make things better, foster innovative and creative solutions to drive impact, and explore new perspectives and embrace change.

Our Commitment to You

We're actively taking steps to make sure our culture, processes and practices promote equal opportunity for all. Join us!

We welcome and encourage all applicants to apply. We’d love the opportunity to consider you.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer

For more information about how we handle your personal data in connection with our recruiting processes, please refer to the Recruiting Privacy Notice on the “Privacy Notice” tab located at http://privacy.leggett.com


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