Summary
Kick-start your engineering career with Sonifex and Herts Uni! This four-year, paid degree apprenticeship lets you work on real R&D projects while earning a BEng (Hons) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. Gain hands-on experience, learn from industry experts, and develop cutting-edge tech—without uni debt. Earn, learn, and innovate with us!
Wage
£17,750 a year
Do you get paid? The benefit of doing an apprenticeship is you earn while you learn! You will be paid a fair wage as an apprentice, and will be reimbursed for travel costs to attend classes at university.
Training course
Embedded electronic systems design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm.
37 hours a week
Start date
Monday 22 September 2025
Duration
4 years
Positions available
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
The apprenticeship role is based within our R&D department, where the successful candidate will:
* Work closely with senior engineers and designers on various R&D projects.
* Participate in team meetings, offering feedback and ideas where appropriate.
* Learn to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure project milestones are met.
* Assist in designing and simulating electronic circuits using software tools.
* Conduct testing and validation of circuit designs under supervision.
* Prepare and modify circuit diagrams based on R&D requirements.
* Maintain accurate records of circuit designs, test procedures, and results.
* Assist in writing technical documentation for products, including user manuals, datasheets and technical papers.
* Stay updated with industry trends and new innovations that may improve product development.
* Assist senior engineers in developing new concepts and approaches for current and future projects.
* Assist with programming embedded systems and microcontrollers, using languages such as C or Python.
* Assist with the development of firmware for new devices.
* Test and debug software and firmware applications under guidance.
Where you’ll work
61 STATION ROAD
IRTHLINGBOROUGH
WELLINGBOROUGH
NN9 5QE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Your training course
Embedded electronic systems design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
Equal to degree
Course contents
* Design functional electronic systems and circuits from component level
* Utilise modern CAD technology to implement circuit design with understanding of considerations for heat dissipation, electrical interference and other industry specific considerations affecting layout
* Write and document structured code to comply with industry norms and to allow others to understand and subsequently maintain/modify the code
* Utilise modelling techniques for circuit design, embedded software development and thermal management
* Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practice of design for market, design for manufacturability, design for testability and design for maintainability
* Ability to develop a test plan for a product that they have developed
* Ability to explain the process by which a product is introduced into production, including what aspects are discussed at what stage and with whom and how development gateways work
* Ability to develop a basic project plan including resource planning, time planning, use of contingencies etc. Also techniques for predicting pinch points and strategies for timescale recovery
* Awareness of international standards and compliance requirements for the products designed by the employer. Ability to discuss the differences between legislative and non-legislative requirements
* Ability to demonstrate knowledge of basic business fundamentals including costs, overheads, gross margin, net margin, profit, and cash
* Ability to demonstrate awareness and understanding of basic health and safety principles both in the general workplace and specific to electronic circuit design
Your training plan
Your training will take place at the University Of Hertfordshire - College Lane Campus, SPECTRA, Hatfield AL10 9UW
Teaching:
* Day release delivery with two block release weeks every semester.
* Teaching over Semesters A and B on campus, with online touch points in C.
More training information
Why choose this course?
This BEng Honours in Electrical and Electronic Engineering will give you a sound technological background in the field of electrical and electronic engineering.
What will I study?
The School has a reputation for innovation in teaching and learning with most modules delivered through a combination of traditional face to face teaching and distance learning through the university's StudyNet web based facility. With a heavy emphasis on Computer Aided Engineering, the school has a policy of using industrial standard software wherever possible.
This engineering apprenticeship follows a part-time, day-release model with some block teaching in each Semester.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English Language (grade 4 / C equivalent)
* Maths (grade C/4)
A Level in:
* Maths or equivalent (grade B)
* Physics or Technology or Engineering-based subject (grade B)
BTEC in:
* Extended Diploma in Engineering (DDM) to include d (grade DDM)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* IT skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Customer care skills
* Problem solving skills
* Presentation skills
* Administrative skills
* Number skills
* Analytical skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Creative
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
* Patience
Other requirements
The successful candidate will need reliable transport to and from work, as well as to be able to attend classes at The University of Hertfordshire (Hatfield), which will usually be once a week. Having your own vehicle will be preferred.