Soft Goods Development Designer

Coates Recruitment; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking assistive equipment firm in Cambridge is seeking a Soft Goods Development Designer to craft innovative prototypes for medical products. This role requires strong skills in sewing and textiles, along with a creative approach to design. You will work closely with R&D teams to bring ideas to life, ensuring quality and user-centered solutions. The position offers a competitive salary, a company laptop, and generous leave, making it an excellent opportunity for creative professionals.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Company laptop

25 days annual leave + public holidays

Private medical healthcare

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong background in textiles, garment construction, or upholstery.
• Excellent sewing, pattern cutting, and prototyping skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret design ideas and technical drawings.

Responsibilities

• Create patterns, sew prototypes, and develop soft-goods components.
• Collaborate with R&D to translate concepts into functional samples.
• Select and test textiles and foams for comfort and durability.

Skills

Sewing

Pattern cutting

Prototyping

Textiles knowledge

Creative problem-solving

Communication skills

Job description

Job Title: Soft Goods Development Designer

Salary: £30,000 - £45,000 (Depending on experience)

Craft. Create. Shape Products That Change Lives.

Are you skilled in sewing, textiles, and pattern development?

Do you enjoy hands‑on creative work, turning fabric ideas into functional prototypes?

Would you like to apply your craft to meaningful products that support comfort, mobility and independence?

If yes, keep reading.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a Soft Goods Development Designer to join an innovative product development team! My client design and manufacture assistive medical equipment, from seating to pressure‑care products that enhance comfort, safety, and independence for people who need extra support.

This is a creative, practical, design‑driven role where you’ll develop soft‑material prototypes, experiment with fabrics, and collaborate with R&D to bring new product concepts to life.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Creating patterns, sewing prototypes, and developing soft‑goods components for assistive medical products
• Collaborating closely with R&D and designers to translate concepts into fully functional samples
• Selecting and testing textiles, foams, and other soft materials to meet comfort, durability, and regulatory standards
• Iterating on designs through prototyping, evaluation, and refinement
• Maintaining excellent craftsmanship — accurate stitching, clean finishing, precise patterning
• Contributing to continuous improvement and innovation in materials and manufacturing processes

What You’ll Need

• Strong background in textiles, garment construction, or upholstery, or soft‑goods product making
• Excellent sewing, pattern cutting, and prototyping skills with a high attention to detail
• Ability to interpret sketches, design ideas, or technical drawings and turn them into working samples
• Creative problem solver with a hands‑on approach
• Good communication skills and ability to work with designers, engineers, and production teams
• Organised, self‑motivated, and able to prioritise in a dynamic environment
• Commitment to quality, comfort, safety, and user‑centred design

We Offer

• Competitive salary (£30,000 - £45,000)
• Company laptop
• 25 days annual leave + public holidays
• Private medical healthcare
• Training and development opportunities

About

My client is a dynamic and forward‑thinking company creating assistive medical equipment that improves people’s lives. Comfort, quality, and user‑centred design are at the heart of everything we do.

Ready to apply your craft in a role where creativity truly matters?