What are the responsibilities and job description for the Optical Polisher position at G&H (Gooch & Housego)?
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.
G&H offers exciting and rewarding opportunities for motivated and talented people to join a team of like-minded, highly skilled colleagues who want to grow and succeed with our company.
Hiring talent to complement and grow our current teams’ skills and capabilities is a strategic priority to enable our plans for growth.
Our seven business locations in the United States and four UK-based businesses employ across a broad range of functions including engineering and process, manufacturing, product management, supply chain and customer services, quality assurance, continuous improvement, compliance and finance.
Job Summary
We are seeking an Optical Polisher to support the fabrication and finishing of precision optical components used in photonics and laser applications. This is a hands-on production role focused on executing established polishing processes to achieve required surface quality and specifications.
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, mechanically inclined, and experienced in working with optical materials in a manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
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 ("U.S. Export Control Laws"), including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR") and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"). To comply with the U.S. Export Control Laws, G&H must assess whether candidates are "U.S. persons" as defined under the EAR (15 C.F.R. Part 772) and the ITAR (22 C.F.R.
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.
G&H offers exciting and rewarding opportunities for motivated and talented people to join a team of like-minded, highly skilled colleagues who want to grow and succeed with our company.
Hiring talent to complement and grow our current teams’ skills and capabilities is a strategic priority to enable our plans for growth.
Our seven business locations in the United States and four UK-based businesses employ across a broad range of functions including engineering and process, manufacturing, product management, supply chain and customer services, quality assurance, continuous improvement, compliance and finance.
Job Summary
We are seeking an Optical Polisher to support the fabrication and finishing of precision optical components used in photonics and laser applications. This is a hands-on production role focused on executing established polishing processes to achieve required surface quality and specifications.
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, mechanically inclined, and experienced in working with optical materials in a manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform polishing and finishing of optical components (e.g., prisms, substrates, crystals) following established procedures
- Operate polishing equipment including pitch polishers, lapping machines, and CNC polishing systems (as applicable)
- Prepare and maintain polishing tools, laps, and slurries based on defined processes
- Monitor polishing operations to ensure surface quality, flatness, and dimensional requirements are met
- Conduct basic in-process inspections using microscopes and gauges; escalate issues as needed
- Follow engineering drawings and work instructions to ensure accurate production
- Maintain cleanliness standards to prevent contamination of optical surfaces
- Record production data and support traceability requirements
- Support troubleshooting by identifying process deviations and notifying senior team members
- Collaborate with team members, supervisors, and engineering to meet production goals
- High school diploma or equivalent required; technical training is a plus
- 1–3 years of experience in optical polishing, precision manufacturing, or similar hands-on production work
- Familiarity with optical materials such as glass, fused silica, or crystals preferred
- Ability to follow detailed instructions, drawings, and specifications
- Strong attention to detail and manual dexterity
- Comfortable working in a production or controlled environment
- Experience in photonics, laser optics, or precision manufacturing environments
- Exposure to basic optical inspection or metrology tools
- Experience working in cleanroom or controlled environments
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 ("U.S. Export Control Laws"), including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR") and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"). To comply with the U.S. Export Control Laws, G&H must assess whether candidates are "U.S. persons" as defined under the EAR (15 C.F.R. Part 772) and the ITAR (22 C.F.R.
- 120.15). Certain questions asked during the application process are intended to assess this and will be used for compliance purposes only.