At a Glance
- Tasks: Design innovative products from concept to production in a hands-on environment.
- Company: Join a dynamic design studio for leading brands in hardware and technical goods.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, company pension, and a friendly team culture.
- Other info: Work in a newly commissioned studio with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of building a new design studio and make a real impact on exciting projects.
- Qualifications: 1-5 years in product design engineering; CAD skills essential.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 42000 £ per year.
We're building an in-house design studio that serves our growing portfolio of brands specialising in hardware and technical soft goods. Including - Never Let Go, the market leader in tool tethering; and Rakk, our emerging brand for the rope and mountain rescue community.
We're looking for a Product Design Engineer to work alongside the Head of Product Development in the studio. This is a rare opportunity: you're not joining a fixed function, you're helping build one.
About the studio:
- The studio is new, being commissioned this year, and purpose-built for the design of hardware and technical soft goods.
- Full workshop, prototyping equipment, 3D printing, in-house mechanical testing, physical and digital design tools.
- We operate as a lean, agile team, focused on hands-on delivery and the continuous refinement of our internal processes.
About the role:
You'll take design work from brief through concept, development, prototyping, testing, and hand-off to manufacture. You'll work across the portfolio: some projects will be tool-tethering hardware for NLG, some will be modular gear and rope bags for Rakk, some will be brand-new categories we haven't launched yet. The work is technical and practical. Our products exist in demanding real-world environments - at height, in rescue scenarios, in industrial settings. Design decisions have to survive the reality of the job - which is why we validate them in the lab as well as on paper.
What you’ll do:
- Own design projects across the portfolio - brief through concept, prototyping, testing, and production hand-off.
- Move between fast-turnaround product iterations and longer-horizon innovation work.
- Plan and run mechanical and physical tests in-house to validate design decisions.
- Work directly with manufacturing partners on feasibility, tooling, and hand-off.
- Contribute to design reviews and product development process.
- Participate in customer visits and field research where relevant.
What we’re looking for in you:
- A problem solver first - technically curious, willing to sit with a hard question until it becomes solvable.
- Practical and hands-on - capable in the workshop and lab: at a bench, at a 3D printer, running mechanical tests, or making a physical mockup to prove an idea rather than just model it.
- A great communicator - comfortable presenting and discussing design decisions to a director, a manufacturing partner, or a customer.
- Self-sufficient - happy with a brief and the space to progress it, without needing constant steer.
- Motivated - the kind of energy that starts things, not just responds to things.
Skills and experience:
- 1–5 years' industry experience in product design engineering, mechanical engineering, or industrial design.
- CAD proficiency - SolidWorks essential.
- Hands-on prototyping - workshop tools, 3D printing, foam/paper mockups.
- Mechanical and physical product testing - able to plan a test, run it in-house, and interpret the results.
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) for design communication.
- Physical sketching ability (digital sketching a bonus).
- Manufacturing and materials knowledge - what things cost, how they get made, when to compromise.
Nice to have:
- Exposure to soft goods design and manufacture (sewing, webbing, technical fabrics).
- KeyShot or similar visualisation.
- Experience with PPE, safety equipment, or industrial products.
- Familiarity with regulatory testing and compliance.
- A keen interest and understanding in emerging technologies including AI.
- Degree in product design engineering, industrial design, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline - equivalent experience considered.
What we offer:
- Salary: £32,000 to £42,000 depending on experience.
- Permanent role.
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
- Company pension.
- Access to a newly commissioned in-house design studio, purpose-built for the work.
- Focused, friendly team culture - occasional Friday drinks to close out the week.
This role is based at our studio in Poole, Dorset. Remote applications will not be considered. You need to be eligible to work in the UK. We'll begin reviewing applications on 24.08.26, but the role will remain open until filled.
Product Design Engineer in Poole employer: Never Let Go
Join our innovative in-house design studio in Poole, Dorset, where you'll have the unique opportunity to shape the future of hardware and technical soft goods. We foster a focused and friendly team culture that encourages hands-on creativity and problem-solving, with access to state-of-the-art prototyping equipment and a commitment to employee growth through diverse project involvement. With 25 days of holiday and a company pension, we prioritise your well-being while you contribute to meaningful projects that make a real-world impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Design Engineer in Poole
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Never Let Go!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Never Let Go would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Never Let Go through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Design Engineer in Poole
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Design Engineer, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Product Design Engineer position at Never Let Go. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Never Let Go
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
