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Crystal Optics Fabrication Technician

Gooch and Housego

  • Fremont, CA
  • 13 days ago
  • $25–$30 Per Hour

Highlights

Working in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment, this role performs precision fabrication across a variety of crystal materials, product configurations, specifications, and customer requirements using processes such as slicing, dicing, lapping, grinding, and polishing. Candidates with experience in crystal optics, optical fabrication, precision manufacturing, machining, semiconductor or wafer processing, or other close-tolerance environments are encouraged to apply; specialized training may be provided for qualified candidates.
Gooch and Housego

Numbers & Facts

LocationFremont, CA
IndustryManufacturing - Other
Salary$25–$30 Per Hour
Company Size500 to 999 employees
Year Founded1948
Websitehttps://gandh.com/

Description

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Job Type

Full-time

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

The Crystal Optics Fabrication Technician fabricates, processes, and inspects precision crystal optic components used in advanced photonics and optical applications. Working in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment, this role performs precision fabrication across a variety of crystal materials, product configurations, specifications, and customer requirements using processes such as slicing, dicing, lapping, grinding, and polishing.

This opportunity is ideal for someone with strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to changing production priorities while consistently meeting tight dimensional, surface, and cosmetic requirements. Candidates with experience in crystal optics, optical fabrication, precision manufacturing, machining, semiconductor or wafer processing, or other close-tolerance environments are encouraged to apply; specialized training may be provided for qualified candidates.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

PRECISION FABRICATION & EQUIPMENT

  • Set up, operate, and monitor crystal optics fabrication equipment used to manufacture precision optical components.
  • Perform boule slicing, dicing, lapping, grinding, and polishing across a variety of crystal materials and product configurations.
  • Complete equipment setups, product changeovers, routine maintenance, and authorized machine or process adjustments.

QUALITY & INSPECTION

  • Inspect in-process and completed components using precision measuring tools and optical metrology equipment.
  • Read and follow blueprints, optical drawings, work orders, travelers, specifications, and process documentation.
  • Maintain dimensional, surface, and cosmetic quality requirements and identify or escalate process, material, equipment, or quality issues.

DOCUMENTATION & PROCESS SUPPORT

  • Accurately document production activities, inspection results, process information, and required traceability records.
  • Handle delicate crystal and optical materials using appropriate handling, cleanliness, and contamination-control practices.
  • Support process trials, prototype builds, new product introduction, and continuous improvement activities focused on quality, yield, cycle time, and consistency.

TEAMWORK & SAFETY

  • Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality teams to support productivity, quality, and delivery requirements.
  • Adapt to changing production priorities and work effectively across multiple products and processes in a high-mix, low-volume environment.
  • Follow all safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized work environment.

WHAT YOU BRING

  • High School Diploma or GED required; technical or vocational training is a plus.
  • 3-5 years of experience preferred in crystal optics fabrication, optical fabrication, precision manufacturing, machining, semiconductor or wafer processing, or a related technical field.
  • Experience with slicing, dicing, lapping, grinding, polishing, or other precision material-removal processes preferred.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and ability to maintain close tolerances.
  • Ability to use precision measuring tools and read technical drawings and manufacturing documentation.
  • Knowledge of optical glass, crystal, ceramic, wafer, or other brittle precision materials is a plus.
  • Experience with CNC, conventional, or automated fabrication equipment is desirable.
  • Ability to recognize process variation, defects, or equipment issues and take appropriate action.
  • Ability to learn multiple manufacturing processes, work independently after training, and adapt to changing priorities in a high-mix, low-volume environment.
  • Strong communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and commitment to documented quality and manufacturing processes.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Comfortable performing repetitive tasks and monitoring multiple machines.
  • Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with machinery and moderate to loud noise levels.
  • Must be able to wear required PPE.

NOTES

If you're ready to make a real impact in a world-class photonics environment, we'd love to hear from you.

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 opportunities 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.

US Applicants: 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.

Salary Description

$25 to $30 hourly

About Company

G&H was founded G&H in Ilminster, Somerset in 1948. The core skills at the time were centered on manufacturing scientific optical components and crystalline materials. These skills are still very much at the cornerstone of the current operations at Ilminster with global sales of acousto-optics, crystal optics and precision optics. The company now works as a supply chain partner in aerospace & defence, industrial, life science and scientific research sectors providing systems and components based on a broad range of photonic technologies.

From its origins as a craft-based optical engineering company rich in practical optical manufacturing skills, G&H has undergone a transformation over the last twenty years into a high-technology photonics business through an acquisition policy of the best-in-breed companies in individual technology areas . The company now has manufacturing sites in the US in California, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Virginia, in addition to its three UK facilities located in Ashford, Ilminster, Glenrothes, St Asaph, and Torquay, and Shanghai, China.

In 1997 G&H was admitted to the alternative investment market (AIM) on the London Stock Exchange. Today the company comprises eight manufacturing sites, with sales offices in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore with additional representation by a global  network of distributors.

We have three core business:

AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE, INDUSTRIAL & TELECOM,  LIFE SCIENCES, AND BIOPHOTONICS with our expertise centering on the four technologies:

ACOUSTO-OPTICS - Vertically integrated acousto-optics (AO) manufacturing begins with the growth of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) and tellurium dioxide (TeO2) crystals used in AO devices. We orientate, cut, shape and polish crystals before they can be coated. Transducers are wire bonded and devices are packaged. We design drivers suitable for each product range.

Acousto-Optic Capabilities

ELECTRO-OPTICS - Our electro-optics (EO) manufacturing is also integrated. We grow our own crystal: Beta barium borate (BBO), Cadmium sulfide (CdS), Cadmium selenide (CdSe), Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP), Potassium dideuterium phosphate (KD*P) and Tellurium dioxide (TeO2). Each material has different optical properties and we design and manufacture EO Pockel cells for a range of applications based on these. We also design and manufacture drivers to control and optimize Pockel cell performance for advanced laser systems.

Electro-Optic Capabilities

FIBER OPTICS - We are renowned for our active and passive components and photonic modules. We are able to provide high performance space- and Telcordia-qualified products for use in all-fiber systems. Our expertise encompasses challenging areas such as manufacturing HI-REL fused components for under-sea and space deployment, working with challenging materials such as PCF or chalcogenide, and designing and testing low SWaP modules for use in rugged environments.

Fiber Optic Capabilities

PRECISION OPTICS - We design and manufacture precision optics components and assemblies that few other companies can. Our planar, aspheric, prism and waveplate products are globally acclaimed. G&H precision PO capabilities cover a wide range of specialized manufacturing techniques from crystal growth, polishing including superpolishing, single point diamond turning, magneto optical finishing (MTF), segmented waveplates, anti-reflection, high reflection, and high laser damage threshold (HLDT) coatings, and adhesive free bonding. Furthermore aerospace and defense prime contractors rely on G&H to design and manufacture complex opto-mechanical assemblies.

PO Capabilities

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