Engineer (mechanical or structural)

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Date: Sep 2, 2026

Location: Sterling, IL, US

Company: Leggett & Platt

Sterling Steel Company produces over 500,000 tons of wire rod annually.   Customers have various uses for this rod, including Leggett & Platt making bed springs, which they invented. 

Leggett & Platt purchased a portion of Northwestern Steel and Wire and reopening it as Sterling Steel Company in 2002.  Leggett is not only the owner of SSC, they are also one of the largest customers.

It is the mission of Sterling Steel Company to be the Safest and Lowest Cost provider of Quality Steel.  

We are committed to conform to all established requirements and expectations of our customers and to a philosophy of Continuous Quality Improvement. 

Meeting these goals requires teamwork, dedication, and ongoing training from all our 275+ employees. 

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

Overview:

Contribute to Sterling Steel safely producing high quality products at the lowest cost by

Providing Engineering support to various projects in the Melt Shop & Rod Mill and all other areas of Sterling Steel .

Responsibilities & Duties:
  • Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports.
  • Confer with engineers and other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve malfunctions, and provide technical information.
  • Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, and maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems, and processes to meet requirements, applying engineering principles.
  • Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted design/drafting equipment and software.
  • Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair to ensure that equipment is installed and functioning according to specifications.
  • Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
  • Estimate costs and submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects and prepare contract documents.

 

  • Report to work as scheduled
  • Follow all related SJPs
  • Adhere to all Policies and SSC Work Rules
  • Comply with all SSC Safety rules

 

  • All other duties as assigned

 

Experience/Education/Skill/Knowledge:
  • BS Degree, Mechanical or Structural Engineering preferred
  • 5-10 yr industrial experience with mechanical equipment
  • 5 yr experience managing scope, budget & schedules on construction projects.
  • Basic knowledge of the Engineering disciplines: Mechanical, Electrical, Automation, Utilities, and Civil
  • Experience in equipment & construction services contract management
  • Equipment design and troubleshooting experience
  • Ability to read/interpret mechanical, electrical, & hydraulic schematics & drawings
  • Ability to work with diverse groups of people with varying communication styles
  • Strong organizational & multi-task skills required, ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously & successfully.
  • Able to support 24-hour mill schedule through variable shifts and/or on call.
  • Ability to independently make accurate decisions and demonstrate good judgment.
  • Knowledge of steel-making process is preferred
  • Ability to effectively read, write, understand, and otherwise communicate in English
  • Willing and Able to learn, retain and apply new information

 

Physical Demands:
  • Dexterity to operate office machinery
  • Ability to sit for long periods of time at desk/computer
  • Willing and able to safely enter production areas
  • Able to work in extreme temperatures (hot & cold) while wearing required PPE
  • Able to work at heights wearing fall protection when required
  • Work in dusty, greasy, dirty mill, outside and climate-controlled office environments
  • Mobility to move to any area of assigned location (Rod Mill and/or Melt Shop)
  • Strength and stamina to walk long distances and remain on feet for majority of workday
  • Walk up & down stairs & climb ladders safely
  • Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
  • Communicate effectively in English verbally & in writing
  • Above average computer skills including dexterity to type on keyboard
  • Dexterity to operate necessary tools/machinery

 

Tool/Machines/Equipment Used:
  • Computer
  • Phone
  • Project specific tools and measuring devices
  • UTV

 

 

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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