Design and Systems Engineer Full Time

Design & Systems Engineer (Graduate Entry)

Homeplay Ltd · Sunbury-on-Thames · £28,000 to £32,000 depending on experience · Office based

Job Description

Homeplay designs, installs and looks after the technology that makes high end homes a pleasure to live in. For 20 years we have brought together lighting, automation, networking, home cinema, climate control and security into systems that simply work, day in and day out.

We work alongside leading architects, interior designers and lighting designers on some of the UK's most beautiful homes, and our work has been recognised with CEDIA awards including Best Media Room (Global) and Best Showroom (EMEA). This October you can find us at Decorex, where our installation, The Beach House, shows a whole day of light in one room.

The role

We are looking for a Design & Systems Engineer to join our small design and projects team at our studio and Experience Centre in Sunbury-on-Thames. This is a graduate-level role for someone early in their career who has a logical, systems-minded way of thinking and takes real pride in getting things exactly right.

You will learn our CAD and design system from the ground up and use it on live projects from your first weeks: making changes, running reviews and producing the drawings and documents that everything downstream depends on. You will work directly with our Design & Projects Lead, with a structured training plan and regular one-to-ones.

We are a small team, so everyone plays a part in how the studio runs. Alongside the design work, you will work closely with our General Manager: answering the phone, chasing suppliers, handling deliveries and helping keep our stock and studio in order. It is the quickest way to learn the products, the suppliers and the people behind every project.

In a company our size there is real room to grow. Whether your strengths lead you towards systems design, building software tools or running projects, we will help you get there. There is an annual review, with a clear progression step at around 12 months for the right person.

What you will be doing

• CAD and design documentation: operating our AutoCAD-based design system, making revisions from mark-ups and producing drawings to Homeplay standards.
• Reviews and quality checks: checking drawings and documents against our QA process before they are issued.
• Exports and issue: producing PDF packs, room schedules and equipment lists, and keeping revision records in order.
• Systems and tools: helping improve the tools we use, from spreadsheets to scripts and AI workflows, including our in-house engineering platform.
• Studio operations: working with our General Manager on phones, supplier chasing, deliveries and stock.
• Learning the systems: understanding how the technology we install fits together, in our Experience Centre and on site.

Systems you will learn

No prior knowledge is expected. We teach the industry; what we look for is curiosity about how these systems fit together.

• Lutron HomeWorks and Ketra lighting control
• Control4 automation
• Ubiquiti UniFi networking
• Home cinema and AV systems
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls
• Access control and security
• Lighting design

What we are looking for

Essential:

• A degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, architectural technology, product design or a related technical subject.
• At least 12 months' experience in a workplace, such as a placement year, internship or professional job.
• A logical, systems-minded way of thinking. You enjoy spreadsheets, code or working out how things fit together.
• Real attention to detail, and pride in work that is exactly right.
• Evidence that you teach yourself new things, and enjoy doing it.
• Organised and reliable, with a track record of commitments you have kept.
• Confident and friendly on the phone and in writing.
• A positive, curious attitude towards AI tools and using technology to work better.

Desirable, but not essential:

• AutoCAD or other CAD experience.
• Any scripting or programming (Python, VBA, AutoLISP or similar).
• SketchUp or other 3D modelling.
• An interest in smart home technology, AV, lighting or networking.
• A full driving licence.

Our software and our use of AI

We have built our own engineering platform in house. It links directly to our AutoCAD workflow, produces our schedules and documentation, and we are steadily expanding it. If you are curious about how software is built, there is a real opportunity to help shape these tools.

We give every team member a Claude account and a Wispr Flow account, because we strongly believe in using AI tools to do our jobs better. We are looking for someone who shares that outlook.

What you will get

• A structured 12-month training plan with regular one-to-ones
• CEDIA industry training and online courses as part of your learning plan
• Your own CAD workstation
• Claude and Wispr Flow accounts
• An annual review, with a progression step for the right person
• Free on-site parking
• Pension
• 28 days' holiday including bank and public holidays
• Experience on some of the UK's finest homes, alongside leading architects and designers

Practical details

• Salary: £28,000 to £32,000 depending on experience.
• Hours: full time, 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
• Location: Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 7EF. Office based.
• Start date: November 2026, flexible for the right person
• Right to work in the UK.

This is a graduate-level role. We welcome applications from anyone with a relevant degree, whenever they graduated.

To apply

Please send your CV and a short cover note, along with your answers to the three questions below. We read every application personally. Applications without answers to the questions will not be considered.

1. Tell us about something you taught yourself outside your course. How did you learn it, and what did you make or do with it? (150 words maximum)

2. Describe a time you kept something organised that other people relied on. (150 words maximum)

3. Share a link to, or attach, one piece of work you are proud of: a drawing, some code, a spreadsheet or a project write-up. Tell us in one line what you would improve about it now.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to our studio for an assessment session: a short practical exercise (no AutoCAD experience needed) followed by an interview.

Pay: £27,000.00-£32,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person