Viper Innovations
Viper Innovations delivers advanced electrical monitoring solutions that improve reliability, extend asset life and optimise performance for global industries.
Our Scholarships
Placement Location
Portishead (Bristol)
Type of Placements Offered
• 12-month placements • Summer placements also offered (following completion of a 12-month placement)
Restrictions/Notes
(1) Requires 12-month placement for 2027/28. Additional summer placements in later years also offered; (2) No 6-month MEng placements
Who we are and what we do
Build technology that helps critical systems keep working
At Viper Innovations, you’ll apply what you’ve learned at university to real engineering challenges.
You’ll join a multidisciplinary team developing electrical integrity solutions for demanding subsea, rail and industrial environments. You’ll contribute to live projects, see ideas progress from concept to prototype and test, and build the practical judgement you need for your engineering career.
Electrical systems operating in demanding environments can be difficult to inspect and costly to take offline. Organisations need reliable information about the condition of those systems so they can make informed decisions and act before developing issues become failures.
Viper Innovations combines electronics, software, data and real-world engineering expertise to provide that visibility. Our technology helps customers understand electrical condition, improve reliability and protect the long-term performance of critical assets.
As a UKESF Scholar, you’ll see how different engineering disciplines come together to turn complex technical challenges into practical, dependable solutions.
What you could be doing during your work placement
Your work will depend on the projects and development stages taking place during your placement. You could:
- Help translate technical requirements into engineering concepts
- Model and simulate electronic circuits
- Support prototype design, assembly and testing
- Develop or test software for connected devices and engineering tools
- Investigate technical problems and analyse test results
- Help prepare designs and test processes for production
- Work with colleagues across electronics, software, systems and product development
You’ll contribute to meaningful work while receiving support from your line manager and experienced engineers. As your knowledge grows, you’ll be encouraged to take greater ownership of your projects and decisions.
What you’ll gain
A placement at Viper can help you:
- Understand the complete engineering development lifecycle
- Apply university knowledge to real products and systems
- Build practical hardware, software and testing experience
- Learn how to approach open-ended R&D challenges
- Develop confidence working independently and collaboratively
- Explore different engineering disciplines before choosing your career direction
Previous scholars have contributed across both R&D and software projects, using technologies including Python, Azure IoT Edge, Raspberry Pi hardware, Git, LTspice and web development tools.
For some students, the relationship continues beyond the placement. One former UKESF Scholar returned to Viper as a graduate engineer, building on the experience and relationships developed during his year in industry.
Who could thrive at Viper?
You could be a strong fit if you’re curious about how electronics, hardware and software work together; enjoy investigating technical problems; and want to contribute rat
her than simply observe.
You don’t need to arrive knowing everything. What matters is that you’re willing to think things through, ask questions, try new approaches and support the people around you.
Meet one of our Scholars
Name: Ben
Sponsor: Viper Innovations
University: University of Sheffield
Degree Course: MEng Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering
Why did you choose Viper Innovations?
I found out about the UKESF Scholarship Scheme through an email sent out by my university placement team. After looking through the placements offered, and researching the sponsoring companies, Viper stood out to me through their interesting products and services, and as they described themselves as a smaller company, which I hoped would give me a more involved experience across many aspects of work and engineering. After applying, I was given an interview where we not only discussed my eligibility for the placement, but also what role would be best for me in the business, and how Viper could support me as a developing engineer.
What was the first week of your placement like?
This was the first time I was working in an office environment, so I wasn’t sure what to expect during my first week. On the first day, I met my line manager and was introduced to my team, which consisted of five other engineers at the time. The rest of the day consisted of setting up my laptop, and reviewing and signing company policies. During the following days, I went through Viper’s induction system, which consisted of meetings with all the heads of departments. This gave me an accelerated insight into Viper’s products, operations, people, and culture. I was also given as much time as I needed to familiarise myself with the software and procedures used within my role.
After the first month of your placement, what had you experienced?
After my first month, I had become more familiar with the tools used within my team, and I had begun working on several tasks. I started to get the hang of things, and feel like I could make a meaningful contribution to the current project. Joining mid-way through a project is not something I had experienced before at university, as most projects at university are seen through from conception to completion within a few weeks. Also, working within a large codebase, and adapting the conventions and processes of my team gave me valuable experience in Embedded Software engineering. Outside of work I was able to join my colleagues for an evening meal, and had attended an office get-together.
By the end of your placement, what were the key things you learned?
During my time at Viper, I had assisted in testing and embedded development of a new Viper product, independently designing and implementing a new firmware for R&D usage, and contributed to the integration of several cable monitoring technologies into a unified embedded system. I primarily worked alongside the Embedded Software and Research & Development teams. I developed several technical skills such as C / C++ / Python programming, performing cable / line measurements, and working with communications protocols such as UART, SPI, and modbus. Additionally, I feel I developed across several professional aspects, including working with experienced engineers across several disciplines, managing my time across several projects, and forming documentation tailored to the appropriate audience.
What advice would you give to future UKESF Scholars joining Viper Innovations?
Understand that this placement is not just for you to work for Viper, but also for Viper to help you develop as an engineer. Take the opportunities you are given to develop your skills both through training and working on different projects. Also make sure to get involved where you can both in and out of work, whether it be a CSR event, or just lunch with your colleagues.
What are your interests outside of work?
Outside of work I enjoy running, hiking, and sim racing. I also enjoy working on personal coding projects.