Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Gooch & Housego Torquay; Torquay; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturer in photonics based in England is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to enhance production efficiency and support new product introductions. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in manufacturing engineering and photonics packaging, with a focus on continuous improvement. Responsibilities include optimizing manufacturing processes, collaborating with teams, and leading technical initiatives. This role offers competitive benefits including generous annual leave and a salary sacrifice pension scheme.

Benefits

25 to 30 days annual leave

Corporate Cash Plan

Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme

Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in photonics engineering or related field is preferred.
• Proven experience within manufacturing engineering.
• Strong understanding of product assembly and testing processes.
• Proficient with NPI/NPD and process validation.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing tools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as subject matter expert for manufacturing processes.
• Analyse and optimise manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for project execution.
• Diagnose and resolve production issues.
• Drive implementation of Lean and CI practices.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering experience

Photonics packaging

Lean Six Sigma

Process validation

Root cause analysis

Proficiency in fiber optic splicing

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in photonics engineering

Tools

Manufacturing tools and equipment

Job description

ABOUT US

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 their 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.

LOCATION

G&H Torquay

ABOUT THE ROLE...

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Manufacturing Engineer specialising in Fibre Optic Modular Systems and Photonic Packaging to play a critical role in enabling the seamless transition from New Product Introduction (NPI) into full‑scale, high‑volume manufacturing. This position requires deep technical expertise, strong process knowledge, and a proactive approach to Continuous Improvement (CI) and Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ) reduction.

The successful candidate will serve as a technical leader within the manufacturing organisation supporting production processes, improving yields and cycle times, and developing advanced, scalable manufacturing methods for complex photonic products and modular device assemblies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as the subject matter expert for Photonic Packaging & Fibre Optic Modular system manufacturing processes and products.
• Analyse and optimise the manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure consistent product quality.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including quality, design engineering, operations, product management planning with seamless execution and transition of new manufacturing projects, including NPI/NPD in readiness for release to manufacture.
• Diagnose and resolve issues in production, including mechanical, electrical, and process related problems.
• Use data to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance metrics, ensuring continuous improvement across production lines that drive improvements in cycle time, yield, & reduction waste and overall manufacturing efficiency in line with CoPQ targets.
• Ensure all manufacturing processes comply with industry safety standards and regulatory requirements whilst also maintaining accurate records, reports, and documentation for compliance, quality assurance, and process audits & change management.
• Drive implementation and maintenance of LEAN and CI practices across the organisation.
• Support the training of new and existing processes, raising training and process corrective actions with operations value streams when required.
• Support product configuration and the engineering change control processes.
• Adherence to all Company policies, management systems and standard operational procedures, including legal responsibilities in relation to Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality systems.
• Working positively to develop and foster good working relationships with colleagues and contracted personnel to maintain a culture of mutual respect and dignity.
• Promote and display the G&H values: Customer focus, Integrity, Action, Unity, Precision.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in photonics engineering, manufacturing, or a related field is preferred.
• Proven substantial experience within manufacturing engineering, photonics packaging, fibre optic modular systems, including complex device manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of product assembly, testing, and handling processes.
• Proficient with NPI/NPD, PFMEA, process validation and product line transfers.
• Proficiency in Lean, Six Sigma or other CI methodologies.
• Technical understanding of root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Hands‑on experience with manufacturing tools and equipment, including fibre optic splicing, Photonic Package alignment systems, Reflow soldering, Laser welding preferred.
• Proficient with optics bonding, UV curable adhesives, alignment & testing.
• Product lifecycle management within a highly regulated environment preferred.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Drive and determination
• Innovation, creativity & deliver results
• Proactive and solutions‑oriented mindset
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Detail‑oriented with a focus on quality and precision
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast‑paced environment

BENEFITS

• 25 up to 30 days annual leave (phased with long service)
• Corporate Cash Plan
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme

Notes: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager.

The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunity or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates.

Potential candidates should be aware that many of the employment roles at Gooch & Housego are subject to government security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities that you may have previously held and your place of birth, could restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation.

All UK applicants must, as a minimum, be able to successfully complete security vetting to the UK government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard, which includes a criminal record check being performed. Many roles may also require higher levels of security vetting to be completed, where applicants must typically have been continuously resident within the UK for the past five to ten years.