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 audio innovation, 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 with excellent opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Dive into experimental hardware and make a real impact on innovative 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 employer: Sonos
Sonos is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly within the Advanced Experiences team in London. Employees benefit from competitive compensation, hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology, and opportunities for professional growth in a dynamic environment. The company's commitment to experimentation and research ensures that team members are engaged in meaningful projects that contribute to the future of audio experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Prototyping Technician (Contract), Advanced Experiences
✨Tip Number 1
Get hands-on! Since this role is all about working with physical prototypes, make sure you’re comfortable in a lab environment. If you can, try to get some experience with hardware assembly or even 3D printing before your interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your communication skills! This job requires clear communication with the team, so practice explaining your past projects and how you tackled challenges. Being able to articulate your thought process will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Be organised! The role involves a lot of documentation and following protocols, so demonstrate your attention to detail. Bring examples of how you’ve kept track of experiments or projects in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us at Sonos. Make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the R&D Prototyping Technician role.
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Prototyping Technician (Contract), Advanced Experiences
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Hands-On Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight any hands-on experience you have with assembling and working on physical prototypes. We want to see that you're comfortable getting your hands dirty and can follow technical instructions accurately.
Be Detail-Oriented:Since this role requires a strong attention to detail, don’t shy away from mentioning specific examples where your meticulous nature has made a difference. Whether it’s in hardware assembly or data collection, we love to see how you’ve nailed the details in past projects.
Communicate Clearly:Effective communication is key in our team. In your application, demonstrate how you've successfully shared progress, issues, or observations in previous roles. This will show us that you can keep everyone in the loop and work well within a multidisciplinary team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sonos
✨Know Your Prototypes
Before the interview, brush up on your experience with assembling and modifying physical prototypes. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will show that you're not just familiar with the process but also capable of handling the hands-on nature of the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Tools
Make sure you understand 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 talk about it. Showing that you can hit the ground running will impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Since this role requires a strong focus on detail, think of examples where your attention to detail made a difference in your work. Whether it's following research protocols or documenting procedures, having concrete examples will help illustrate your capability to maintain high standards.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key in a multidisciplinary team. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. During the interview, be open about your progress and any challenges you've faced in past projects. This will show that you're not only a team player but also someone who values clear communication.
