engineering apprentice

Gooch & Housego; Torquay; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading optical design and manufacturing company in Torquay is offering an engineering apprenticeship that combines study and practical experience in fibre optics. Over four years, apprentices will work closely with the engineering team, participating in the manufacturing processes, and developing skills across multiple disciplines. The role requires GCSEs in Maths and Science, and seeks candidates who are self-driven, reliable, and eager to learn. Opportunities for progression to Technicians and further education are available.

Qualifications

• Eagerness to learn and develop knowledge in the field of fibre optics is important.
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Adherence to all Company policies and standard operational procedures.
• Assist in the design and development of fibre optic components.
• Participate in the manufacturing process including fibre routing and assembly.
• Conduct quality control tests and inspections.
• Collaborate with engineers to troubleshoot technical issues.

Skills

Self-driven

Creative

Inquisitive

Reliable

Honest

Communication skills

Organisation skills

Team working

Initiative

Education

GCSE in Maths (grade 4)

GCSE in Science (grade 4)

Job description

As an engineering apprentice at G&H you will have a unique opportunity to study and work in parallel in a dynamic and innovative environment. In partnership with SDC, you will spend four years working closely with our engineering team while complementing your workplace experience with a mixture of theoretical and practical lessons., As an engineering apprentice at G&H Torquay you will have a unique opportunity to study and work in parallel in a dynamic and innovative environment. In partnership with South Devon College, you will spend four years working closely with our engineering team while complementing your workplace experience with a mixture of theoretical and practical lessons. As you progress through our apprenticeship programme you will learn about and contribute to the varied disciplines within fibre optics manufacturing while building upon your own skill set to enable the start of your career in engineering.

Responsibilities

• Adherence to all Company policies, management systems and standard operational procedures, including legal responsibilities in relation to Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality
• Working positively to develop and foster good working relationships with colleagues and contracted personnel in order to maintain a culture of mutual respect and dignity
• Promote and display the G&H values: Customer focus, Integrity, Action, Unity, Precision
• Maintain good attendance at South Devon College, Assisting in the design and development of fibre optic components and systems.
• Participating in the manufacturing process, including fibre routing, splicing, and assembly.
• Conducting quality control tests and inspections to ensure product reliability and performance.
• Collaborating with engineers to troubleshoot technical issues and implement solutions.
• Producing documentation, including operating procedures and technical reports.
• Maintaining and calibrating manufacturing equipment and tools.
• Tracking of your workplace accomplishments to meet learning outcomes.
• Plan and attend progress meetings with colleagues.
• Working with engineers and technicians to implement or improve processes.
• Working with engineers and technicians to complete personal competencies record.
• Attend South Devon College, on average, once per week.

Performance Measures

• Job reports
• Course work
• Personal one to one reviews (on-site/college), At G&H Torquay we have four unique manufacturing areas. During the first two years of your apprenticeship you will spend six months in each area learning the key processes for each area to form the foundation of your engineering skill set.

Training & Development

• Across all of our manufacturing areas there are a number of core skills which will be reinforced in each area:
  • Optical fibre handling best practice
  • Cleaving and splicing repeatability
  • Measurement accuracy and data interpretation
• In our Modules area you will learn:
  • Optical fibre routing
  • Bespoke electronic and optical testing for the particular assemblies
  • Cleaving and splicing for critical lengths
• In our Fibre-Q area you will learn:
  • Active alignment of a Fibre Coupled Acousto-Optic Modulator (FCAOM)
  • The introductory mathematics and physics around AOMs
• In our Photonic Packaging area you will learn: Introductory skills around photonics packaging such as using pick and place machines, soldering of microelectronics, passive and active alignment and test of varied photonic devices
• In our Fused Fibre Optics area you will learn:
  • How to build a fused fibre optic coupler
  • How these devices are measured and performance verified

Career Path & Progression

• Becoming Manufacturing Engineering Technicians who directly support operations with building of complex products, take the lead on production documentation, root cause analysis and training of production operators.
• Becoming New Product Introduction (NPI) Technicians who support research and development functions as well as new build-to-print products. Their responsibilities take on a mixture of hands‑on measurement development and documentation as well as managing administrative task such as bill‑of‑materials creation and management and build procedure writing and review.
• Continuing their education. At G&H we offer entry to degree level and foundation degree level courses for suitable applicants.

Skills & Qualifications

• Self-driven
• Creative
• Inquisitive
• Reliable
• Honest
• GCSE in: Maths (grade 4), Science (grade 4)
• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative, Eagerness to learn and develop knowledge and understanding in the field of fibre optics is important.
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

About the Company

G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications. Headquartered in Ilminster, Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognised for the breadth of our acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fibre optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognised as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defence industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy-five years. At our Torquay site, we design and manufacture best‑in‑class fibre optics components and modules, for a worldwide customer base of industrial, aerospace, and life science OEMs. Our products are used in a diverse range of applications including undersea intercontinental telecoms cabling, medical diagnostic and surgical equipment, oil and gas pipeline security, and aircraft refuelling. Our success is built on innovation, precision, and the talent of our people. We are committed to developing capability at every stage of a career, from apprenticeships and graduate pathways through to leadership development.