Optical Technician

Covesion Ltd.; Hillyfields; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Advanced Manufacturing company in Quantum Technology is seeking a candidate with a strong background in optics to join their Optical and Electronics Team. As part of this role, you will be responsible for assembling and characterising waveguide chips and optical components, supporting troubleshooting efforts, and contributing to optical product analysis. The ideal candidate will have experience in photonics and a methodical approach to problem-solving in a collaborative team setup. Strong interpersonal skills and computer literacy are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Degree educated or able to demonstrate equivalent experience in optics.
• Experience with laser systems and photonic device measurement.
• Ability to manipulate small and delicate optical components accurately.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and characterise waveguide chips and optical components.
• Assist with troubleshooting and resolving equipment issues.
• Perform optical analysis of new product ranges.

Skills

Optics knowledge

Photonic device measurement

Experience with laser systems

Communication skills

Methodical problem-solving

Experience in R&D

Education

Degree in Optics or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Covesion is a rapidly growing Advanced Manufacturing company at the forefront of Quantum Technology which has been trading since 2009. Part of the Hawthorn Photonics group along with AdvR (USA) and Radiantis (Spain), we have established an international reputation for our solutions across multiple markets, partnering with some of the biggest names in Science and Technology. Our team has many years of experience in the manufacture of Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate (PPLN) frequency conversion solutions selling to both R&D, and OEM customers. We have a range of stock items that can be delivered at short notice, or we can design custom solutions for our demanding customer base. In the last 5 years we have undergone a transformation growing over 650%.

Location: Unit F3, Adanac North, Adanac Drive, Nursling SO16 0BT, UK.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week flexible between 06:00-16:30 Mon to Thurs, 06:00-13:30 Fridays.

Main Duties

The successful candidate will join the Optical and Electronics Team, reporting to the Optical Team Leader. Working in an applied production/research environment producing PPLN devices for commercial sales, this role will involve the assembly and characterisation of waveguide chips, waveguide modules and other optical components and systems. With an educational background in Optics, the successful candidate will add technical knowledge into the Optical and Electronics Team, assisting the Team Leader in improving current production processes, fixing and optimising the performance of optical bench setups, and delivering a range of ad-hoc project tasks.

Responsibilities:

• To work within the Optical Team, testing and characterising waveguide chips, and assembling waveguide modules and other optical products.
• Assist with troubleshooting, resolving problems and development of Optical and Electronics lab equipment, jigs and facilities.
• Perform detailed optical analysis of new product ranges.
• Work with other team members to ensure objectives are met.
• Identify and suggest improvements to production processes.
• Assist with the transition of new products into production from the Product Development Team.
• General administration including documentation processes, collecting test results, bespoke reporting for production and research activities.
• Ensure the Company policies including Health & Safety are adhered to at all times.
• Promote and demonstrate the Covesion values
• Degree educated or able to demonstrate equivalent experience in optics.
• A methodical approach to identifying and solving issues that arise in optical environments.
• Experience of photonic device measurement/ characterisation.
• Experience using lasers or laser diodes.
• Experience of optical components including fibres or waveguides.
• Ability to manipulate small and delicate optical components accurately without damage.
• Ability of work effectively both as a team and as an individual.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to get on with stakeholders at all levels.
• Computer literate: Excel, Word and other Microsoft packages.
• Flexible approach to work.
• Reliable and trustworthy.
• Clean driving licence and own transport.
• Knowledge of Lean Production methodologies and their implementation.
• Experience of wafer-scale batch clean room fabrication tools and techniques.
• Experience using class 4 laser systems
• Experience of Laser Safety
• Knowledge of optical waveguides, non-linear optics, PPLN and its characteristics, optical AR coating technologies.
• Experience of R&D environments.
• Exposure to small multidisciplinary team environments.