R&D Metrology Technician

CooperVision®, Inc., a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE: COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of monthly, two-week and daily disposable contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges; such as astigmatism, presbyopia and ocular dryness; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, thereby creating real advantages for customers and wearers. From our extensive network of facilities in 12 countries across five continents, CooperVision distributes high-quality lenses virtually everywhere contact lenses are worn.

Job title: R&D Metrology Technician

Location: Pilot, Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire

Shift: Monday - Friday, 08.30am - 16.30pm

Scope

The job holder will be working within a small metrology team, supporting lens design and development activities. This will involve hands on measurement of contact lenses, recording of measurement data and some data analysis. The job role also includes testing and development of metrology techniques for measurement of contact lenses. Working and communicating with the Lens Design and Metrology team to develop new and novel lens designs for testing both in-vivo and in-vitro, interactions will be with R&D personnel, manufacturing teams and 3rd parties such as suppliers, contractor or other development partners.

Job Summary

R&D is the centre of all lens design, material and process development within CVI leading to the creation of new product and process opportunities for the business. The Metrology Technician will assist in the completion of R&D projects and undertake trial activity. The job holder must demonstrate the knowledge of the basic contact lens manufacturing processes and must comply with CVI’s Quality practice in daily activities and exercise Safety while working in the laboratory. They must also execute study protocols accurately and summarise results in a presentable fashion.

Essential Functions & Accountabilities:

The primary functions of this role are:

• The preparation and testing of lenses and samples in R&D, and the setting up and operation of all equipment used in the testing of lenses for R&D purposes.
• Investigational activity to determine the causes of issues observed in either the lens development process or in the production environment.

Responsibilities include

• Perform trials and validations and evaluate results, ensuring own data is provided in an accurate and reliable manner and in the format that is suitable for trial owners i.e. spreadsheets, database entry, handwritten paper copy etc.
• Ensuring that all test equipment is kept in good working order, safety guards and relevant fixtures are in place and are functioning correctly and that calibrations are in date.
• Ensure that Health and Safety requirements are always met and never compromised, and proactively highlight any areas of concern to senior management that could compromise the business performance, compliance to systems, financial security/performance and health and safety.
• To assist with the introduction of new equipment, products and processes to production including initial set-up and assistance during the development phase.
• To co-operate with all other departments and functions both internal and external during projects to ensure the project goals are achieved. Develop good working relationships to ensure efficient co-operation between departments.
• Develop quality documentation (e.g. SOPs, batch card or qualifications), gain approval and record within Agile.
• To provide technical assistance and expertise to the Production Department
• To be involved in the training of any CooperVision staff, including in manufacturing, on new products & processes.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Basic technical knowledge of the contact lens development process
• Highly skilled in all lens metrology and testing techniques used in R&D
• Some understanding of statistics and be proficient in the use of excel albeit to a basic level

Skills

• Focused on quality
• Plans work so that project deadlines are met
• Works with a high degree of independence
• Strong team player
• Good level of IT Software package skills e.g. email, spreadsheets, presentations, reports

Competencies

• Good communication and presentation skills
• Analysis and problem solving
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Strong analytical and observation skills
• High level of results orientation
• Excellent team working
• Highly organised

Experience

• It is most likely that the background required for the role will be a process Technician/Operator in a high-volume manufacturing environment with 1-2 years of relevant contact lens experience.

Education

• GCSE passes in Maths, English and Science or equivalent.

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