Process Engineer

Gooch & Housego Pal Alto; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Gooch & Housego Pal Alto is seeking a Process Engineer focused on Documentation to establish and maintain manufacturing processes, documentation systems, and technical standards for repeatable, compliant production. You will work with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations to ensure documentation aligns with current processes and supports efficient operations.

This role emphasizes standardization, continuous improvement, and structured problem solving in a photonics/manufacturing

Qualifications

• BS in Manufacturing/Engineering or related field required.
• 3+ years in Process/Manufacturing Engineering or Technical Documentation in manufacturing.
• Experience developing and maintaining SOPs, work instructions, process specs, visuals.
• Strong document control, configuration management, and ECO processes.
• Experience with AS9100/ISO 9001 or similar quality standards preferred.
• Proficiency with PLM/ERP/MES and electronic document control systems.
• Knowledge of Lean and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Strong technical writing to translate complex processes into clear docs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation and work instructions.
• Manage ECOs, changes, revisions, and product releases with traceability.
• Ensure docs reflect current production practices and approved changes.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, R&D for process readiness.
• Support new product introductions and technology transfers.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and training on docs.

Skills

Process Engineering

Documentation & SOPs

Engineering Change Orders

Regulatory compliance

Lean Manufacturing

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Photonic/Optics industry experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Industrial/Optical Engineering

Tools

PLM

ERP

MES

MS Office

Job description

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 recognized for the breadth of their acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defense industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy-five years.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As a Process Engineer with a focus on Documentation, you will play a critical role in establishing and maintaining the manufacturing processes, documentation systems, and technical standards that enable consistent, high-quality production. Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams, you will ensure manufacturing documentation accurately reflects current processes and supports efficient, compliant, and repeatable operations.

This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys bringing structure and clarity to complex manufacturing environments while driving standardization, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the business.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Manufacturing Documentation & Process Control

• Develop, maintain, and control manufacturing documentation including work instructions, SOPs, process specifications, visual aids, routings, and technical reports to ensure alignment with engineering requirements and quality standards.
• Manage document control processes, including Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), configuration changes, process revisions, and product releases while maintaining traceability and revision history.
• Ensure manufacturing documentation accurately reflects current production practices, process requirements, and approved changes.

Process Development & Manufacturing Readiness

• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering teams to define, document, qualify, and optimize processes that improve safety, quality, efficiency, and repeatability.
• Develop process maps, manufacturing routings, process flows, and error-proofing methods to support production readiness, validation, and scalable manufacturing.
• Support new product introductions, technology transfers, and product/process qualifications by ensuring documentation, tooling, and controls are in place.

Change Management & Cross-Functional Support

• Coordinate documentation updates associated with Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), deviations, nonconformances, and product or process changes, ensuring configuration control and traceability.
• Partner with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to assess impacts and implement process documentation updates.
• Provide sustaining engineering support by incorporating process improvements, lessons learned, and product changes into manufacturing documentation.

Continuous Improvement & Training

• Analyze manufacturing performance, process effectiveness, and documentation practices to identify opportunities for simplification, standardization, yield improvement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support training and knowledge transfer initiatives by ensuring manufacturing documentation is clear, user-friendly, and effective for operator qualification and ongoing competency development.
• Participate in root cause investigations, corrective action activities, and process improvement projects to ensure manufacturing documentation accurately reflects approved changes and best practices.

WHAT YOU BRING

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, Optical, Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Technical Documentation within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining manufacturing documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, process specifications, and visual work instructions.
• Strong understanding of document control, configuration management, and engineering change processes.
• Experience supporting regulated or quality-driven manufacturing environments such as AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, or similar standards.
• Proficiency with document management systems, PLM, ERP, or electronic document control systems.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Strong technical writing skills with the ability to translate complex manufacturing processes into clear, concise, and effective documentation.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain attention to detail.
• Experience within photonics, optics, aerospace, medical device, semiconductor, or other precision manufacturing environments preferred
• Experience authoring technical reports, engineering documentation, process specifications, and manufacturing procedures.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications and experience with PLM, ERP, MES, or electronic document management systems preferred.

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.

Please note that this position will involve having access to items and technical data that may be controlled under U.S. export laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. To comply with U.S. Export Control Laws, G&H must assess whether candidates are U.S. persons as defined under the EAR and ITAR. Certain questions asked during the application process are intended to assess this and will be used for compliance purposes only.