R&D Pattern Maker- Trainee (Hiring Immediately)

Join the Industry Leader in Upholstered Furniture Design

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We’re seeking a detail‑driven trainee to support our Research & Development team in creating, testing, and refining upholstery patterns and prototypes. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys hands‑on problem‑solving and wants to grow into a technical pattern‑making position.
What You'll Do

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  Develop and maintain accurate digital and manual patterns for various upholstery products.
  
  
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  Collaborate with R&D;, Engineering, Cutting, and Upholstery teams.
  
  
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  Support prototype builds and adjust patterns based on fit and upholstery feedback.
  
  
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  Prepare complete pattern packages for production facilities.
  
  
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  Support SKU onboarding and floor-level production trials.
  
  
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  Improve material yield through optimized nesting.
  
  
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  Create technical documentation such as seam allowances and sewing guides.
  
  
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  Assist with root-cause analysis on upholstery issues.
  
  

Key Qualifications

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  Basic computer skills for pattern making and digital tracking
  
  
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  General upholstery or sewing knowledge (preferred, not required)
  
  
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  Strong willingness to learn R&D processes, pattern development, and prototyping
  
  
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  Innovative mindset with the ability to troubleshoot and adapt during product development
  
  
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  High attention to detail when measuring, cutting, and assembling test patterns
  
  
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  Positive attitude and ability to collaborate with designers, engineers, and production teams
  
  
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  Comfort working in a fast‑paced environment with evolving project needs
  
  

Preferred Experience

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  Experience in cutting, sewing, upholstery, engineering, or QA
  
  
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  New product development support
  
  
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  High-volume manufacturing experience
  
  

Education
Preferred backgrounds include Industrial Design, Furniture Design, Textile Technology, Patternmaking Certification, or Upholstery/Furniture Manufacturing Training. Equivalent experience is also considered.
Tools & Software Proficiency- Preferred, Not Required

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  Gerber AccuMark / AccuNest
  
  
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  Optitex
  
  
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  Formaris
  
  
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  AutoCAD or SolidWorks
  
  
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  Zund / Lectra / Gerber cutting prep
  
  
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  Microsoft Office and Teams
  
  
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  Adobe Illustrator
  
  

Who We Are
At Ashley, we’re more than a business; we’re family. As the largest manufacturer of home furnishings in the world, we know what it takes to build incredible furniture and future leaders. We’re problem solvers with the grit to persevere during challenging times and innovators who won't coast when times are good. We create solutions, not excuses. And never settle for the status quo. It’s the reason we’re always searching for better ways to deliver an exceptional customer experience. That's why Ashley Furniture is #1 in our industry.

Ready to grow? You’ve come to the right place. Ashley Furniture has a “Growth Mindset”, and once you join our team, you’ll learn from the best in the business.
Apply today and find your home at Ashley!
Benefits We Offer

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  Health, Dental, Vision, and Employee Assistance Program
  
  
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  Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Your Birthday off
  
  
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  Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings
  
  
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  Professional Development Opportunities
  
  
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  Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific) and Medical Tourism
  
  
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  Telehealth
  
  
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  401(k) and Profit Sharing
  
  
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  Life Insurance
  
  

Our Core Values
Honesty & Integrity

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  Without hesitation, he uses candor and is direct in communication
  
  
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  Is tough-minded in working in and meeting the demands of reality
  
  
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  Always tells the truth and follows through on commitments
  
  

Passion, Drive, Discipline

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  Enjoys working hard and pursues work with energy, drive, and willpower to finish
  
  
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  Is disciplined in developing consistency into work processes
  
  
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  Is focused and relentless in achieving goals
  
  

Continuous Improvement/Operational Excellence

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  Fights to take costs and waste out of the system
  
  
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  Seeks to understand why something works the way it does, and through study and improvement determines how to better all processes and systems.
  
  
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  Strives for more in all areas of work by developing measurements, setting goals, and then working on ways to exceed goals through problem-solving methods that look beyond the obvious
  
  

Dirty Fingernail

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  Does not rely on reports to run the business, but rather goes to the work that is being done and sees if the work is being done right for him/herself.
  
  
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  Has an insatiable curiosity and takes a Go and See approach to understand the current state of the business and the competitive realities
  
  
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  Takes a hands-on approach to tackle problems and demonstrates critical thinking through use of effective questioning…asking the 5 Whys
  
  

Growth Focused

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  Understands the customer’s needs and wants, then challenges current ways of doing business that inhibits growth and organizes work to meet those needs
  
  
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  Is competitive by studying the competition and is aggressive in looking for ways to beat them
  
  
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  Strives to be the BEST by improving the quality of processes, reducing costs, doing more business, being profitable, and growing the business
  
  

To learn more about Ashley Furniture, our community engagement programs, environmental stewardship, and our core values, please visit our Corporate Social Responsibility information page:
Corporate Social Responsibility
We are an equal opportunity employer and provide a drug-free working environment. While Ashley appreciates the interest of all candidates, only those meeting specific position requirements may be contacted. xhqgsiq Principals Only.