Optical Test Engineer at Covesion Ltd.

January, 2023: The successful candidate will join Covesion’s Delivery Team and will undertake assembly and characterisation of waveguides, waveguide modules, and other optical components and systems.  Working in an applied production/research environment producing PPLN devices for commercial sales, the primary responsibility of the role is to assist with optical production and quality assurance of the devices prior to customer shipping. 

Contribution to some areas of our research and development activities will also be required.  The role holder will be work within a production optical characterisation facility which includes optics and sources on the bench scale within a controlled test environment. Although primarily an optical test and assembly role, additional familiarity associated processes such as cleaning, dicing and polishing optical chips will be an advantage, however training can be given in this area if necessary.  Some general administration will be required as part of the role.

Why work for us

Our optoelectronic engineers, product specialists and research scientists are part of a forward-thinking, rapidly expanding team, developing products for companies working at the leading edge of science including quantum science, academic institutes, defence, space and environmental science.

Covesion started trading in 2009 as a spin-out company from the University of Southampton in the UK. We have been trading successfully since this time establishing an international reputation for our products. Our team has many years’ experience in the manufacture of Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate (PPLN) frequency conversion products selling into both, R&D, and OEM customers. We have a range of stock crystals & waveguide products and can design custom chips for our demanding customer base. In the last 2 years Covesion has been transformed doubling product revenues and winning record amounts of UK innovation grants to develop our product lines further.

We pride ourselves on our R&D programme that fuels our growth. We hand pick our team from industry and academia ensuring that each employee is known and valued, and has a real opportunity to make a difference to Covesion and our customers.

Responsibilities

• To work with both the delivery and product development teams, specifically for the testing and evaluation of waveguides, waveguide modules, and other optical component testing
• To deliver specific work packages from research activities
• To analyse results and report findings to other team members e.g. COO, Head of Delivery, CPO, & CTO
• To liaise with other team members to ensure delivery of commercial products.
• Document and update procedures and test processes where necessary
• Identify and troubleshoot basic optical based production issues
• General administration including documentation processes, test results and bespoke reports for the research activities.
• Ensure the Company policies and procedures including Health & Safety are always adhered to
• Ensure company equipment is used and maintained in accordance with manufacturers/company guidelines at all times

Knowledge, skills & experience:

Essential

• Relevant qualification – First degree or equivalent (Mechanical/Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Physics) with appropriate supplementary experience
• Experience of photonic device measurement/characterisation
• Experience using free-space optical setups
• Ability to work both as part of a team and as an individual
• Ability to manipulate small/delicate optical components without damage (mm scale)
• Able to solve problems with minimal supervision
• Computer literate: Excel, Word and other Microsoft packages
• Clear communication of complex problems
• Flexible approach to work
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Clean driving licence and own transport

Desirable

• Knowledge & experience of PPLN operations such as second harmonic generation (SHG)
• Experience using class 4 laser systems
• Experience with the use of optical fibres or waveguides
• Experience of packaging, assembly and testing of photonic components and modules

Location: Unit F3, Adanac North, Adanac Drive, Nursling SO16 0BT, UK

Hours: 37.5 hours per week flexible between 07.00-18.00 Mon to Thurs 07.00-14.30 Fridays

Salary: circa £30k