Precision Optics Cleaning Technician

About Us 

Gooch & Housego (G&H) is a global leader in photonics, providing innovative optical solutions to customers across industrial, aerospace & defense, medical, and scientific markets. We design and manufacture high-precision optical components and systems that enable our customers’ most advanced technologies. At G&H, quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement are at the core of how we work, and our people play a critical role in delivering excellence every day. 

Job Purpose 

The Precision Optics Cleaning Technician is responsible for the handling, cleaning, inspection, and documentation of precision optical substrates to ensure they meet strict cleanliness and quality standards prior to and throughout the coating process. This role is critical to producing high-quality optical components in a controlled cleanroom environment. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Handling & Cleaning:
  Handle, clean, and inspect precision optical substrates using established processes and tooling. Inspect surfaces for particles and defects using high-intensity illumination and microscope inspection techniques. 
• Loading & Unloading:
  Load and unload precision substrates into and out of cleaning and coating fixtures, ensuring proper handling and alignment to prevent damage or contamination. 
• Inspection & Quality:
  Perform detailed visual inspections requiring strong attention to detail, visual acuity, and manual dexterity to ensure substrates meet cleanliness and quality requirements. 
• Documentation:
  Accurately complete documentation and maintain records by updating reports and data within required databases and tracking systems. 
• Cleanroom Environment:
  Perform daily tasks within a controlled cleanroom environment, following all cleanliness protocols and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). 
• Process Adherence:
  Follow established procedures and work instructions to support consistent, repeatable, and high-quality outcomes across all cleaning and inspection activities. 

Qualifications & Experience 

• Experience cleaning and inspecting precision optical substrates preferred 
• Knowledge of thin film coating processes is a plus 
• Ability to work with small parts using provided tooling 
• Strong attention to detail, visual acuity, and manual dexterity 
• Comfortable working in a cleanroom or controlled manufacturing environment 
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and maintain accurate documentation 

Physical & Environmental Requirements 

• Ability to perform fine motor tasks and handle small components 
• Ability to work for extended periods in a cleanroom environment 
• Must be able to consistently wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) 

This role plays a key part in ensuring optics are clean and free of contaminants, directly contributing to the success of the coating process and the production of high-quality optical components. 

Note: 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.

In the instance that the 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, and in conjunction with the review of candidates for those positions within G&H that may present access to export-controlled technical data, 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 evaluation purposes only.  Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this position.