Senior Metrology Engineering Scientist

JOB TITLE: Senior Metrology Engineering Scientist  

LOCATION: Hamble

GLS T03

WORKING HOURS:  Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week – Hybrid working available 3 days office minimum vs 2 days at home

A brighter future awaits you

At CooperVision, we are proud to be a global leader in contact lenses. At our innovative sites worldwide, we manufacture and distribute contact lenses to some of the biggest names in Ophthalmic optics. We’re all about creating brighter futures for our customers, our wearers and our people. 

What can you expect from us as an employer? Well, we like to look at things a little differently. We call it bringing a refreshing perspective. And for every one of us who works here, it means our opinion really counts, we get to share our ideas, and we get to make an impact.  

We’re big on belonging. Because being part of something great is what makes our company the best it can be. And we value diversity, because you can see a whole lot more when you have different perspectives. We’re an ambitious company. And to help us achieve our goals, we’ll give you all you need to achieve yours.  

What will you be doing?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Metrology Engineering Scientist to join our Global Technical Innovation Group (GTIG) Lens Design and Metrology department in Hamble.  The GTIG Lens Design and Metrology team are subject matter experts in existing and emerging lens designs and test methods within the Operations branch of CooperVision. You will be responsible for the transfer of metrology equipment from R&D into manufacturing, ensuring that the measurement methods are capable and robust for the intended purpose. This role also includes identifying and developing new technology to replace obsolete equipment within the manufacturing environment, and leading global activities to standardise current measurement methodologies. 

You will provide technical improvements to manufacturing processes and deliver specialist elements of large-scale projects to the business. You will have knowledge of applicable international standards and understand how they are applied in a manufacturing environment.

As a medical device manufacturer CooperVision is committed to the ongoing development and effectiveness of their quality management systems. Meeting statutory and regulatory requirements are of up most importance throughout the business.

Essential responsibilities: 

• Typically functioning as a small project or module leader responsible for delivery of a specified system or service, including, timeline generation and quality of delivery.
• Able to communicate effectively within the discipline and activities being supported, both within the project team and with Senior Managers & Directors.
• Able to communicate effectively with vendors for technical advice, collaboration and support.
• Interface with vendors translating the needs of the business into user requirements. 
• Ensure Metrology Technicians understand basic principles of product testing and assist with prioritisation as required.
• Generate and conduct training programmes on Metrology fundamentals to large groups. Lead knowledge transfer to and from internal global partners.
• Identify opportunities for Continuous Improvement and lead small teams in the use of 6σ Tools and Techniques within a manufacturing environment.
• Identify need, generate business case and manage change control activities, including raising Engineering Change Orders and providing technical and compliance information to Regulatory teams for RAID assessments.
• Lead multifunctional teams in the generation of risk assessments, initial change assessments and completion of all identified deliverables. 
• Ability to keep abreast of new developments within the metrology industry and translate into possible uses for CVI.
• Fundamental understanding of Quality Assurance and Quality Control systems, medical device/pharmaceutical, FDA, ISO and International regulatory requirements.
• Detailed understanding of where and how measurement systems are used for quality/process control in contact lens manufacture.
• Pivotal understanding of metrology equipment design and fundamental principles.
• Lead the development of internal requirements, and participate in the development of external standards for metrology.
• Proactively identifies gaps in internal methodologies against external standards, understands ambiguities, rationalises and actions accordingly.
• Derivation of new measurement techniques and methods using advanced metrology systems.
• Identify potentially customisable metrology solutions and their application to our business. Raising records of Invention (RoI) where applicable.
• Generate cost/benefit/risk analyses, develop and introduce new metrology systems into a production environment with appropriate documentation and specifications.
• Production of documentation/training material in a manner that supports compliant, reproducible measurements, and can be transferred to global partners.
• Identify the need for, initiate and lead problem solving activities. Define the problem statement and areas of analysis using sound investigational techniques to identify innovative and practical technical solutions.
• Identify special cause erroneous metrology outputs. Establish root cause as systemic, operational or environmental and recommend appropriate corrections.
• Follow up trials and investigations where there are unexpected outcomes and determine the root cause of these and their impact on the business.
• Conduct data analysis for root cause investigation and interaction assessment.
• To raise and manage capital expenditure budgets up the value of £50,000.
• To understand the principles of Project Management and be able to apply those principles to local, small scale projects. 

What are we looking for?

We would like you to have the following experience:

• Physics degree qualified with Optics knowledge is essential
• Metrology test method development engineering role  within optical systems eg: lasers, interferometery, Shack-Hartmann,  Moire etc
• Someone that can help develop optical systems and test methods, not just use them.
• Advanced understanding of the principles behind metrology systems essential
• Leading investigations using Six sigma techniques
• Understanding of ISO standards and their role in business
• Ideally some knowledge of Medical device or pharmaceuticals relevant to their area of expertise
• Bachelor degree / HNC / HND or equivalent in physics or related discipline
• Detailed understanding of Repeatability and Reliability Studies
• Knowledge of Metrology Validation
• Understanding of the Uncertainty of Measurement including common contributing factors.
• Advanced understanding of optical and linear measurement systems such as interferometers, focimeters, CMM, shadowgraphs, microscopes and micrometers.
• Data analysis techniques, manual and software driven including; Excel, Minitab, Matlab or other applicable packages.
• Someone who can communicate 
• Technical report writing and peer reviewing.
• Advanced understanding of geometric and physical optics.

Travel Requirements: 

The role involves frequent travel to local (UK) sites and occasional travel to European CVI sites and suppliers. As a global expert international travel is also required from time to time. In total, this would typically equate to less than 5% of overall time per year.

What do we offer?

You’ll receive competitive compensation and a fantastic benefits package including; 25 days holiday, pension scheme, private medical, healthcare cover, life assurance, access to our Wellness Platform to support you in mental health and wellbeing, a discounted contact lens scheme and much more!

If you like what you see, take the first step towards your brighter future and apply today. All suitably qualified applicants will receive equal consideration and opportunities from CooperVision. 

What is important to us

Our four values define and underpin our unique culture; we are dedicated, we are inventive, we are friendly, and we are partners. Becoming part of the CooperVision family means joining a friendly team that’s open, flexible, and respectful of each other’s differences, working together to achieve something amazing. 

Recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse mix of employees is core to our success. It helps bring different perspectives, diverse conversations, and new ideas to the table, all of which are incredibly valuable.

At CooperVision we celebrate, not only our company success, but we celebrate who we all are individually, and we embrace diversity. We support and we encourage you to bring your full self and not just part of you. We are committed to each individual and we look forward to a Brighter Future together.