Junior Product Engineer

Company: Release Layer System (RLS)
Apply for the Junior Product Engineer
Location: London
Job Description:

ABOUT US:

At RLS, we develop products that save lives. As pioneers in the cycling industry, we are on a mission to redefine what is possible in head protection. We go home every day knowing that our products make the world a safer place. Our state-of-the-art facility in London includes advanced high speed impact testing, a full prototyping suite, wet lab, and full production capabilities. Our team buzzes with creativity and innovation — and we want someone who wants to be right at the heart of it.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

You’ll be running drop tests on our state-of-the-art impact tower, building prototypes by hand, operating our 3D printing suite, and doing the practical engineering work that turns ideas into real, tested, production-ready safety technology. You’ll leave every day having made something.

The products you help build are designed to prevent life-changing brain injuries. The tests you run generate the data that shapes our next generation of technology. The prototypes you make end up in the hands of our partners, on helmets worn by real riders, and eventually on the shelves of the world’s leading brands. From your first week, your work matters.

You’ll be guided by experienced product developers who are genuinely invested in your growth. Together, we’ll intentionally build your skills along a clear development pathway, opening up a range of future opportunities aligned with your strengths.

If you love building things, have an instinct for how products work, and want to spend your days in a hands-on environment doing work that genuinely matters — this is the role for you.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Prototyping & Build

  • Build and iterate prototypes for new partner projects, expanded RLS configurations, and new verticals including snow, construction, and motorsport.
  • Develop both low and high fidelity prototypes to support the product development process from early concepts through to production-ready designs.
  • Design and fabricate jigs, fixtures, and test rigs to support our development and validation work.
  • Work with a range of materials and manufacturing methods — to bring designs to life in our prototyping suite.

Impact Testing & Validation

  • Conduct safety standard drop tests across a range of helmets using our state-of-the-art drop tower.
  • Design and execute internal validation testing protocols on partner helmet integrations.
  • Analyse test data, identify trends, and present findings clearly to the wider product team.
  • Help build and maintain our R&D knowledge base — turning test learnings into reusable guidelines that inform future development across the team.

3D Printing & Digital Fabrication

  • Own the day-to-day operation of our 3D printing setup — preparing files, managing print runs, maintaining equipment, and ensuring output quality.
  • Support the team in translating CAD designs into print-ready files, and iterate quickly on physical models as designs evolve.
  • Contribute ideas on how we can improve our digital fabrication workflows and make the prototyping process faster and more efficient.

CAD & Design Support

  • Produce and modify CAD models to support prototype development and design reviews.
  • As you grow in the role, take on more complex surfacing work — with a view to developing 3D surfacing skills for helmet geometry, a core capability for progression into a full Product Developer position.
  • Participate in design reviews, brainstorming sessions, and concept generation — contributing sketches, models, and drawings to demonstrate ideas.

Collaboration & Learning

  • Work closely with our product developers and innovation team, building a deep understanding of the end-to-end product development process.
  • Contribute actively to lessons-learned sessions and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Bring energy, curiosity, and a positive attitude to the team — we want someone who is excited to be here

KEY ATTRIBUTES:

Essential

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Product Design, or a related field — or equivalent practical experience.
  • CAD proficiency, with SolidWorks preferred.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills backed by a solid technical foundation.
  • Practical, hands-on prototyping experience
  • Clear, confident communication — you’re comfortable presenting findings to the team.
  • Self-motivated, with a growth mindset and the drive to own your work and develop your skills over time.
  • Genuine enthusiasm for the craft of engineering — someone who finds satisfaction in building, testing, and improving physical products.

Nice to Have

  • 3D printing experience — familiarity with FDM or SLA processes and print preparation.
  • Experience designing and building test rigs or fixtures.
  • CNC machining skills.
  • Familiarity with manufacturing processes including thermoforming and injection moulding.
  • An interest in helmets, cycling, sport, or safety technology — though not essential, a passion for what we make is a real plus.

BENEFITS

  • Vitality private health insurance including dental
  • 25 days holiday in addition to national holidays
  • Weekly social allowance and regular team socials
  • 2 lunches provided per week
  • Significant option package in a high value, high-growth safety technology company

How to Apply:

Send your resume and a cover letter to careers@releaselayer.com

Posted: April 20th, 2026