Senior Manufacturing Engineer

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.

G&H Torquay

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.

• 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.

• 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.