At a Glance
- Tasks: Support R&D by assembling and modifying electronic prototypes and running user data collection sessions.
- Company: Join Sonos, a leader in innovative audio technology, in a collaborative London team.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, flexible working days, and hands-on experience in cutting-edge research.
- Other info: On-site role in a dynamic lab environment with potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Dive into experimental hardware and make a real impact on advanced audio experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience with physical prototypes and strong attention to detail required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Sonos is looking for a hands-on R&D Prototyping Technician to support the Advanced Experiences team in London during a key period of experimental work, hardware prototyping, and data collection. This role is ideal for someone who is technically capable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with physical prototypes, lab setups, and structured research protocols. You do not need to be a specialist in sensing or signal processing; success in this role will come from being practical, reliable, organized, and confident working with experimental hardware under the guidance of research leads.
The contractor will help ensure continuity across hardware builds, prototype iteration, user data collection, and documentation. This is a primarily on-site role in the Sonos London office near London Bridge due to the hands-on nature of the work.
Term: 6 months, May/June to Oct/Nov 2026, with possibility of extension
Engagement: 3–4 days per week, in person with some flexibility
Compensation: Competitive day rate, based on experience and scope
Responsibilities:
- Assemble, modify, and support electronic hardware prototypes based on provided designs, instructions, and research team guidance.
- Support basic hardware bring-up, debugging, and troubleshooting for experimental prototypes.
- Carry out 3D printing, post-processing, and minor mechanical iteration to support prototype development.
- Assist with light CAD or mechanical modeling tasks when needed.
- Set up, maintain, and prepare experimental hardware for sensing studies and research sessions.
- Run user data collection sessions by following established protocols and ensuring consistent, accurate execution.
- Support research studies involving optical sensing and EEG, following defined procedures. Prior experience with these specific domains is not required.
- Document build procedures, experimental setups, session notes, observations, and handoff materials clearly and consistently.
- Communicate progress, blockers, issues, and technical observations to research leads and team members.
- Provide practical, hands-on support to the broader R&D team within the agreed scope of work.
Qualifications:
- Experience assembling and working with physical prototypes.
- Familiarity with fabrication workflows, hardware assembly, bring-up, and iteration.
- Experience with microcontrollers and Python scripting is preferred.
- Comfort working in lab or experimental environments with disciplined setup, execution, and documentation practices.
- Ability to follow written and verbal technical instructions accurately.
- Strong attention to detail, especially when handling hardware, research protocols, and human-subject data collection.
- Clear communication skills and the ability to share progress, issues, and observations with a multidisciplinary team.
- Comfortable working primarily on site in London for hands-on hardware and experimental research activities.
R&D Prototyping Technician (Contract), Advanced Experiences in London employer: Sonos, Inc.
Sonos is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation thrives. As a member of the Advanced Experiences team, you'll benefit from a collaborative culture that values hands-on experimentation and encourages personal growth through diverse project involvement. With competitive compensation and the opportunity to work closely with cutting-edge technology, this role is perfect for those seeking meaningful contributions in a supportive and engaging setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Prototyping Technician (Contract), Advanced Experiences in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get hands-on! Since this role is all about working with physical prototypes, make sure you showcase your practical skills. Bring along examples of past projects or experiences where you've built or modified hardware. This will show that you're not just a paper pusher but someone who can get stuck in.
✨Tip Number 2
Communication is key! Be ready to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated progress and issues in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, as this will resonate well with the Sonos team.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget about documentation! Since the role involves clear and consistent documentation, be prepared to talk about how you’ve kept track of your work in the past. Bring samples if you can, as this will demonstrate your attention to detail.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to connect with you right away. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on your application status!
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Prototyping Technician (Contract), Advanced Experiences in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Skills:Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience you have with assembling and working on physical prototypes. We want to see your practical side, so don’t hold back on sharing specific examples of your past projects!
Be Detail-Oriented:Since this role requires a strong attention to detail, emphasise your ability to follow technical instructions and maintain accurate documentation. We love candidates who can keep things organised and clear!
Communicate Clearly:Effective communication is key in our team. When writing your application, demonstrate how you’ve successfully shared progress and tackled issues in previous roles. We appreciate clarity and collaboration!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sonos, Inc.
✨Know Your Prototypes
Before the interview, brush up on your experience with assembling and modifying physical prototypes. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve worked with hardware, as this will show your hands-on capability and attention to detail.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Tools
Make sure you’re comfortable with the tools and technologies mentioned in the job description, like 3D printing and CAD software. If you have any experience with microcontrollers or Python scripting, be prepared to share examples of how you've used them in past projects.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about troubleshooting and debugging experimental prototypes. Think of scenarios where you faced challenges and how you resolved them. This will demonstrate your practical problem-solving skills and reliability under pressure.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since clear communication is key in this role, practice articulating your thoughts on past experiences. Be ready to explain how you document procedures and communicate progress to team members, as this will highlight your organisational skills and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.
