Location: London, UK
Working pattern: Hybrid (minimum 3 days per week in the office)

About Caeli Nova

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.

The Role

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.

What You Will Do

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.

What We Are Looking For

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 1st 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

Core attributes:

  • 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, breadboarding/ soldering circuits and harnesses, PCB design/ assembly
    • Programming, ideally interfacing microcontrollers/ single-board computers with sensors and basic electronic hardware

Desirable (but not required):

  • 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

 

Our Commitment to Inclusion

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 and contributions, regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, culture, background or experience. We actively encourage applications from people with backgrounds that are under-represented in engineering.

We recognise that confidence gaps, non-linear career paths, different educational routes and varying access to opportunities can influence how people approach job applications. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, or would like an informal conversation before applying, we would be happy to accommodate this.

Why Join Us?

  • Work on products that genuinely improve safety and wellbeing
  • Learn from experienced engineers in a supportive, collaborative environment
  • Gain exposure to the full product lifecycle in a growing start-up
  • A culture that values curiosity, respect and thoughtful challenge

The interview process

Caeli Nova follows a structured, phased interview process designed to be transparent, consistent, and fair for all candidates:

  • Phase 1: Initial CV and covering letter review
    We review applications against the role requirements and core criteria.
  • Phase 2a: Introductory phase – screening call
    During this phase we will hold an introductory call to:
    • Share more detail about Caeli Nova and the role
    • Answer any initial questions you may have
    • Ensure that you meet the top-level requirements for the role
  • Phase 2b: Introductory phase – arrange interviews
    Subject to the outcome from Phase 2a, we will use email to arrange the following:
    • Agree interview dates
    • Assign a technical topic for the next stage

         All candidates are given the same task and one week of preparation time for the                   technical interview.

  • Phase 3: Technical interview and topic presentation
    You will meet members of our technical team to discuss your technical experience and approach to problem solving.
    As part of this session, you will be invited to give a 20-minute presentation on your assigned topic, followed by discussion and questions.
  • Phase 4: Values and ways of working
    You will have two 30-minute conversations with members of the leadership team (for example the CTO, CEO or CFO).
    These sessions focus on:
    • How you like to work and collaborate
    • What you value in a team and working environment 
    • How your approach and perspective could contribute to Caeli Nova’s culture as we grow

Practical details:
Some stages may be conducted remotely. However, we require at least one face-to-face session at our London office during the interview process.
Where possible, multiple phases may be scheduled on the same day to reduce the overall time commitment.