Junior Product Engineer/Garment Technician

Rapha; London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Product Engineer to join their dynamic team. This role is pivotal in ensuring that all products meet the highest standards of quality and performance throughout the product lifecycle. You will engage in supplier communication, manage technical specifications, and collaborate cross-functionally to mitigate risks. This position offers the chance to work in a vibrant culture that values innovation and teamwork, while also providing opportunities for personal growth and development. If you are passionate about cycling and have a keen eye for detail, this role is perfect for you!

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Support for remote working

Free barista coffee

Monthly social events

50% apparel discount

Annual clothing allowance

Free membership to Rapha Cycling Club

Company Pension Scheme

Enhanced Parental Leave

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in apparel brand with strong leadership skills.
• Understanding of costing, materials, and technical properties.

Responsibilities

• Support Product Engineering team to meet critical product lifecycle dates.
• Collaborate with design and supply chain teams for risk assessment.

Skills

Time Management

Organizational Skills

Leadership

Attention to Detail

Decision Making

Solutions Based Mindset

Education

Degree in Fashion/Textiles/Sportswear

Equivalent Work Experience

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

G Suite

Mac OS

Job description

Rapha launched in 2004 to redefine cycling apparel. Today progressive design and storytelling has built a global movement.

We love cycling in all its forms, from the city streets to the highest peaks. And we know its power to transform lives. Led by innovation, we embody this love through a dedication to the world's greatest sport, by setting a new standard in design and pushing the cutting edge of performance and human craft.

The Product Engineering team is a key component in this mission. Integral to the product creation process, combining passion and expertise to bring our products to life; a dynamic team with a strong work ethic and great team spirit.

THE ROLE:

• A key role that supports the Product Engineering team to ensure critical dates are met throughout the product lifecycle.
• Day to day supplier communication, gathering information on products and potential issues within the sampling process.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, atelier and supply chain teams to ensure that products are risks assessed in a timely manner and that any subsequent risks are elevated to management levels.
• Understanding of cost engineering, ensuring the product is built to meet target costs.
• Communicate all fit and constructional comments to our vendors through the PLM system.
• Participate in weekly meetings and fit sessions.
• Support the Product Engineering team with measuring prototype samples and size sets before fittings to ensure they conform to size and construction specifications.
• Create technical and measurement specifications for products.
• Review construction, measurements and quality of all samples, including Shipment Samples.
• Have an understanding of grading and creating sizing rules for each garment type.
• Maintain and update product tech packs and the product Bill of Materials on our PLM system.
• Travel to suppliers, trade shows and events as required.
• Ensure that Rapha quality and performance standards are met throughout the sampling and production process.
• Support the Product Engineers to ensure the manufacturing of the products runs smoothly in sampling and production.
• Assist the Product Engineers with quality assurance.

THE CANDIDATE:

Reporting to a Senior member of the team, this role will ensure that all products are truly fit for purpose, are of the highest quality and delivered in a timely manner. An effective internal negotiator, this person will be a natural role model to the team in terms of their professional conduct.

• A graduate, ideally with a degree in fashion / textiles / sportswear or equivalent work experience.
• At least 3 years' experience working for an apparel brand.
• Good time management and organisational skills.
• They must lead by example, encouraging and motivating the team to participate in any task with a positive attitude, to ensure business needs are met.
• Confident in making decisions within their remit, a natural leader.
• An understanding of costing templates and the impact of construction, materials and patterns to a product.
• Has a basic understanding of technical materials and their properties.
• Good attention to detail and experience using Mac OS, Adobe Illustrator and G Suite. Confident working on CADs, Lay-plans and print files using Adobe Illustrator.
• Solutions based mind set.
• Be able to work to tight and challenging deadlines.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Ideally a cyclist or sports enthusiast, who is keen to develop their riding skills and use their passion for sport to improve our product range.

Working at Rapha

We are continuously looking into ways to invest in our employees and build a better working culture and environment. Here are just some of the internal benefits we offer.

• Flexible working hours
• Support ad-hoc remote working during the week - Minimum 4 days in office
• Free barista coffee and social drinks in the office
• Monthly department social events and quarterly office social away days
• We offer a flexible riding benefit to allow you to go out riding on a Wednesday morning with colleagues or learn to cycle to cycling through our Getting Started Scheme.
• We offer all our employees a 50% apparel discount and a discount for family and friends
• An annual clothing allowance
• Free membership to the Rapha Cycling Club
• Company Pension Scheme
• Enhanced Parental Leave and Pay

Department: Product Engineering
Locations: Service Course, London