Polishing Technologist

Department: Polishing

Location: Swansea

Reporting: Production Supervisor - Polishing

Date last modified: April 16, 2026

Summary statement

The Polishing Technologist will quickly gain an understanding of, and become proficient at, a wide range of activities in the Polishing department, including Blanchard grinding, double sided grinding and polishing, operation of the continuous polisher, spindle grinding and polishing, optical contacting, and all associated optical and mechanical measurements including interferometry, reading fringes and the CMM.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Become proficient with all major product streams (telecom, silicon etalons, prisms, substrate manufacture) and take on tasks as needed according to the changing demands on the department.
• Work in an efficient manner, delivering good throughput of product while maintaining high quality.
• Understand the optical measurement systems and factors that can affect the quality of the measurements. Be able to recognize when there is a problem with a measurement.
• Understand the properties and uses of different polishing compounds, pitches, pads and waxes, and when and how to use them.
• Contribute to new product development as well as process development and improvement. May be asked to document and train some procedures.
• Follow lean manufacturing principles and maintain a clean and organized work environment.
• Follow safety procedures as set out in the Health and Safety policy and internal trainings.
• Flexible work hours

Minimum Qualifications and Skills

• Technologist diploma or equivalent.

• Reliable performance and quality work with minimum supervision.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

• Manual dexterity and ability to handle precision parts with great care.

• Ability to see through a microscope.

• Ability to perform under time pressures.

• Successful completion of Controlled Goods Security Assessment

Working Conditions

• Frequent use of a microscope.
• Frequent exposure to controlled substances.
• Execution of repetitive tasks, often involving delicate parts.

Type of Supervision Received

Task assignment is through the Production Supervisor. Yearly performance reviews and setting of annual performance goals are together with the Production Supervisor.