Graduate R&D Engineer; Prototype Development

Location: London, UK

Working pattern: Hybrid (minimum 3 days per week in the office)

Caeli Nova is an aerospace and medical technology start‑up, founded to solve complex human‑centred problems through innovative and practical engineering. We develop safety‑critical products that protect and enhance human performance in aerospace, medical and other highly regulated environments.

Our culture is built around collaboration, empowerment, and proactivity. We believe the best engineering solutions emerge when people with different perspectives work together, challenge assumptions respectfully, and take pride in delivering work that improves safety and well‑being.

We are seeking a Graduate R&D Engineer to join our growing engineering team in London.

You will develop and iterate prototypes for our products under development, becoming the subject matter expert on their function as you develop them through the product lifecycle all the way to supporting their production design and manufacturing. You will work within the R&D team and with design, systems, medical and regulatory specialists, as well as external suppliers and manufacturing partners.

This is a hands‑on, collaborative role, well suited to someone who enjoys learning quickly, developing real products, and seeing their work translated into meaningful real‑world impact.

We ask all team members to spend at least three days per week working from our London office. However, due to the collaborative and practical nature of the work for this role, you may need to attend the office more frequently at busier times in your projects. You may also be required to travel as part of your role.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Rapidly developing and iterating prototypes to realise early‑stage concepts or evolve the design of existing prototypes
• Writing, reviewing, and maintaining clear technical documentation
• Participating in verification, validation, and test activities
• Collaborating with suppliers and manufacturing partners to support product realisation
• Working alongside colleagues across disciplines to solve challenging technical problems

You will be supported by experienced engineers and encouraged to develop your skills and confidence over time. We do not expect you to know everything from day one.

We are looking for a creative, self‑motivating team player who is excited about working in a fast‑paced environment. A breadth of technical skills and interests is essential, and we are open to considering people from a variety of scientific & engineering backgrounds. Suitable candidates are likely to have, or be on course, to gain a 1 st class or 2:1 degree in any of the following (or related) disciplines:

• Engineering:
  Aerospace, Biomedical, Electrical Manufacturing or Mechanical
• Natural sciences:
  Physics, Materials Science

• An interest in supporting a team to quickly develop new ideas for solving complex technical problems
• An ability to collaborate and communicate clearly and confidently with people from diverse professional backgrounds
• Hands‑on experience gained through degree projects, internships, industrial placements, personal projects, or equivalent practical work, in any of the following areas:
  • Developing mechanical or biomechanical systems
  • Sewing and fitting garments or outdoor apparel/ gear
  • Developing wearable devices
  • Testing and validating designs against engineering requirements
  • Electronic circuit design: schematic capture, bread boarding/ soldering circuits and harnesses, PCB design/ assembly
  • Programming, ideally interfacing micro‑controllers/ single‑board computers with sensors and basic electronic hardware

• Experience with rapid prototyping or agile development approaches
• Experience with Python scripting for data analysis
• Exposure to safety‑critical, medical, aerospace, or regulated environments

Interest in human‑centred or physiological applications of technology

Caeli Nova is committed to providing an energising environment where our team members can feel comfortable being their true self. We respect and value individuality, thoughts…