{"id":4117833,"url":"https://alion.io/job/thorlabs-mechanical-engineer-i-4","title":"Mechanical Engineer I","company":{"id":6560,"name":"Thorlabs","domain":"thorlabs.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/thorlabs","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workable","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":81,"open_postings":22,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.682,"repost_share":0.136,"time_to_fill_p50_days":33,"computed_at":"2026-11-11T05:49:22Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"junior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Lafayette, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":84000,"max":100000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":100000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Office","optional":false},{"name":"SolidWorks","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-11T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-11","last_verified_at":"2026-11-12T00:25:30Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"description":"At Thorlabs, we design and manufacture components, instruments, and systems that transform the world by identifying, enabling, and accelerating key photonics (i.e., light-based) technologies. Backed by a dedicated workforce of more than 3,000 employees worldwide, Thorlabs contributes to cutting-edge research and real-world innovation.\nWhether you're early in your career or bringing years of experience, you’ll find opportunities to grow, take ownership, and make meaningful contributions from day one. We know every employee brings unique talents and perspectives that fuel our success, and we seek driven individuals who are excited to make an impact in a fun, fast-moving culture.\nThe Mechanical Engineer I supports the design, development, and testing of optomechanical components and instrumentation at Thorlabs’ Colorado Center for Innovation (CCI) in Lafayette, CO. Under the guidance of senior engineers, this role contributes to advanced photonics products from concept and prototyping through validation and transfer to manufacturing, considering hermetic, thermal, and stress requirements as appropriate. The position works closely with optical, electrical, and manufacturing teams to ensure that designs meet technical requirements and customer needs. Activities include design documentation, vendor coordination, production support, and troubleshooting. Although the position is based in Lafayette, CO, occasional work at other Thorlabs locations may be required.\nAssist in developing optomechanical solutions for components and instrumentation under supervision.\nCreate part documentation for advanced optomechanical solutions while developing proficiency in documentation best practices.\nPerform testing and analysis of components and instrumentation under supervision, following documented validation plans.\nAssist in preparing required documentation for components and instrumentation.\nAssist in developing fixturing solutions for development and production.\nCreate part documentation for fixturing solutions while developing proficiency in documentation best practices.\nProvide regular development status updates to the supervisor.\nParticipate in design, model, and drawing reviews.\nCollaborate with optical and electrical engineering teams to ensure mechanical designs meet cross disciplinary requirements.\nRecommend innovations and improvements to methods, tools, and processes.\nAssist with project planning, estimation, and tracking.\nAssist with sourcing and qualification of parts and vendors.\nMaintain mechanical design documentation.\nCreate assembly and test instructions.\nAssist and train production staff in troubleshooting technical issues.\nRequirements\nMust be a US person to work with ITAR products\nExperience:\nEntry level to 4 years of experience in optomechanical design.\nEducation:\nBS or higher degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field required.\nSpecialized Knowledge and Skills:\nWorking knowledge of SolidWorks or similar CAD software.\nExposure to PLM software for managing part documentation and willingness to develop proficiency.\nWorking knowledge of SolidWorks Simulation or similar FEA software.\nKnowledge of optomechanical solutions for the photonics market preferred.\nFamiliarity with statistical data analysis techniques and strong problem-solving abilities.\nStrong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to document work.\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills.\nSelf-motivated and comfortable working in a dynamic, start-up-like environment.\nPerform other related duties and assignments as required.\nProficiency in Microsoft Office.\nDemonstrated ability to develop innovative designs.\nAbility to follow and develop processes.\nThe estimated pay range for this role is $84,000 - $ 100,000 annually\nThorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.\nBenefits\n Thorlabs offers a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO package, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement just to name a few.","description_format":"text","description_chars":4581,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Life insurance","Vision insurance"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Lasers & Laser Systems","Test & Measurement Instruments","Optics & Photonic Components"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-11-12T00:25:30Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"adverts_offering_sponsorship_24m":0,"sanctioned_now":false,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 6","filings_12m":6,"filings_prev_12m":8,"green_card_filings_12m":0,"median_offered_wage_usd":82500,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-11-11T07:38:50+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":1,"expected_fill_days":33,"reasons":["conf:0","win:early","comp:junior"],"computed_at":"2026-11-12T00:58:52Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":100000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/thorlabs-mechanical-engineer-i-4","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/thorlabs-mechanical-engineer-i-4.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-12T00:58:52Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2277,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-13T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":6560},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=6560"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fthorlabs-mechanical-engineer-i-4"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":2,"usd":0.2},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fthorlabs-mechanical-engineer-i-4"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fthorlabs-mechanical-engineer-i-4"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/thorlabs-mechanical-engineer-i-4\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fthorlabs-mechanical-engineer-i-4"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":4117833}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"thorlabs.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":4117833},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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