Industrial Placement – Electronics Engineer

The Company

The “new” Perkin Elmer business, a newly independent company as of March 13, 2023, is a global analytical services and solutions provider with offerings including the leading One Source Field and Laboratory services business that serve the biopharma, food, environmental, safety and applied end markets to accelerate scientific outcomes. Since 1937, Perkin Elmer has served as a trusted partner in laboratory analysis and management and today complements its service offerings with a broad portfolio of atomic spectroscopy, molecular spectroscopy, and chromatography instruments, consumables, and reagents.

With a dedicated team of more than 6,000 team members, the Company serves customers in more than 35 countries. Additional information is available at

At Perkin Elmer, we design, manufacture and deliver advanced technology solutions which address the world's most critical human and environmental health and safety concerns. Our Environmental Health business develops analytical instrumentation, and support services, all to protect the quality and sustainability of our environment. Perkin Elmer transforms information into actions that improve our safety today and our world tomorrow.

In the Spectroscopy Research team at High Wycombe, we investigate emerging technologies in infrared, near-infrared and UV spectroscopy. We actively lead the development of next generation instruments for materials characterisation and offer infrared, near-infrared and UV spectroscopy. We actively lead the development of next generation instruments for materials characterisation and offer expert technical support from cradle to grave.

This is an opportunity to play a full part in the design and development the electronics on new, state-of-the-art prototype instruments. You could be responsible for your own PCBs/sub-systems from feasibility and design through debug to system integration and customer demonstration. You will be working in a small team mixing highly skilled and experienced scientists and engineers with fellow students.

As a Student Electronic Engineer, you will assist in research and development projects conducted within the department. These projects may relate to the development and modification of functional prototype infrared spectroscopy instruments. The work is likely to include:

• Analogue, digital and power circuit design and analysis, including FPGA and microcontrollers.
• Research of available technologies and selection and evaluation of suitable electronic components and subsystems.
• Use of electronics CAD tools to capture circuit schematics, simulate behaviour and assist in prototype PCB layout. Produce simple PCBs.
• Assembling and testing prototypes in the laboratory, working with the team to integrate hardware and software.
• Documenting designs and evaluating and reporting their performance.
• Completing project tasks within agree timescales
• Organising and conducting your own daily/weekly work schedule
• Participating in teams and meetings

Several different projects will be available involving analogue circuit design for low signal amplification, design of high-performance closed loop control systems, digital signal processing, WiFi and wireless communication.

Training on the use of relevant laboratory equipment and standard methods will be given and support given in the interpretation of results.

To qualify, you must have completed a minimum of 2 years of an undergraduate degree in Electronic Engineering (or a related subject) at the start of the placement.

You will be working towards achieving a 2:1 or above and looking to complete a 12-month placement as part of your degree.

• Good numerical and analytical skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a team and also to work independently where required
• Good problem solving and reasoning skills
• Ability to learn and retain new skills
• Practically minded with hands on skills in soldering and assembly of PCB prototypes

Perkin Elmer at High Wycombe has a history of taking students for placement years and many have gone on to take permanent roles in the organisation. Students are given stimulating and interesting projects to work on that are of genuine value to the business.

Please apply online at  with your cv and a covering letter outlining why you are interested in this opportunity.

Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, and an appointment will be made as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.