Photonics Engineer II

About the role

Drive innovation in applications and systems development for photonics products, with a focus on high-performance optical cavities and locking technologies. Develop and release new products, enhance internal optical metrology capabilities, and collaborate with customers and multi-disciplinary engineering teams to ensure designs meet specifications and customer needs. While based in Lafayette, CO, occasional travel to other Thorlabs locations may be required.

Responsibilities

• Guide new products from initial ideas and proof-of-concept through prototype, release, production, and customer support.
• Generate application-centric product specifications to serve as technical requirements for mechanical, electrical, software, and firmware teams.
• Assist with the release-to-production process within Thorlabs' ERP system.
• Collaborate on build documentation, assembly instructions, and training of production staff.
• Develop advanced characterization systems to provide insights into coating performance, substrate characteristics, and production yield improvements.
• Design standardized tools and templates for test and measurement documentation to enable repeatable manufacturing of high-performance assemblies.
• Create technical materials for customer-facing publications to aid informed buying decisions and device operation understanding.
• Interface with customers to provide technical support for optical assemblies.
• Coordinate the design, assembly, verification, and documentation of optical cavities and advanced systems such as optical reference apparatus and spectroscopic instrumentation.
• Produce test reports and maintain traceability of measurements.

Requirements

• Minimum 6 years of relevant industry experience with a BS, OR 4–8 years of post-graduate experience (industry preferred) with an advanced degree.
• BS in an optics or physics-related engineering field.
• MS or PhD in optics or physics-related field (preferred).

Skills

• Experience building optical and laser assemblies.
• Experience with advanced scientific instruments (e.g., PID servos, PLLs, frequency counters, RF spectrum analyzers, AOMs, EOMs).
• Experience generating noise budgets for optical metrology efforts.
• Strong knowledge of building instrument control interfaces using Python, C, and/or C++.
• Proficient with data analysis software (MATLAB, Python, Excel, or similar).
• Strong analytical skills and real problem-solving experience.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• High attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
• Effective written and oral communication.

Pay

The estimated pay range for this role is $110,000 – $125,000 annually.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Generous PTO package.
• 401(k) plan.
• Tuition reimbursement.