{"id":2179202,"url":"https://alion.io/job/thorlabs-photonics-engineer-i-2","title":"Photonics 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":82,"open_postings":17,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.706,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":33,"computed_at":"2026-10-12T06:55:09Z"}},"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":["Goleta, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":85000,"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":[],"status":"closed","first_seen_at":"2026-10-09T14:35:10Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-09","last_verified_at":"2026-10-12T14:17:24Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":"2026-10-12T14:17:24Z","days_open":2,"trust":{"level":"not_scored","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":2},"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.\nPurpose of the Position\nThe Photonics Engineer I cleanroom position researches and develops photonic products and systems. Although the location of the position is in Goleta, CA, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations or photonics academic conferences.\nEssential Job Functions include the following, but are not limited to:\nUsing nanofabrication facilities, designs and builds photonic systems which includes integration of mechanical, electrical, and optical components with active or passive photonic devices. \nDesign process flow and mask layout of photonic nanofabricated devices. \nResearches and analyzes internal and external customer photonic design proposals and specifications to determine feasibility of photonic device R/D.\nDirects and coordinates photonic research activities to meet company goals.\nAssists test reports by collecting, analyzing and summarizing measurement data of photonic devices. \nIn addition to the essential functions and duties listed above, all positions are also responsible for:\nMeeting company standards pertaining to quantity and quality of work performed on an ongoing basis, performing all work related tasks in a manner that is in compliance with all Company policies and procedures.\nAdhering to Company policies, procedures, and directives regarding standards of workplace behavior in completing job duties and assignments.\nThe Company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.\nPhysical Activities:\nWork may be active, could stand or sit for long durations and/or perform repetitious work at times. The employee may lift or move objects up to 20 pounds. Employees must grasp, manipulate, or assemble parts and components that are often very small. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, however, may be noisy at times. Must be able to wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment such as but not limited to masks, glasses, gloves, and specialty garments. The required PPE and training allow for the safe handling and processing of chemicals like adhesives, lubricants and solvents, and safe operation of job-related equipment and tools.\nRequirements\nQualifications\nExperience:\n1-3 years of experience in photonics engineering R&D. \nEducation:\nBachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Physics, or related field.\nSpecialized Knowledge and Skills:\nWorking knowledge photonic device physics.\nWorking knowledge of nanofabrication techniques and tools.\nWorking knowledge of mask layout software.\nWorking knowledge of writing computer code.\nExcellent statistical data analysis and problem solving abilities.\nEffectively reports progress and problems through written or oral reports.\nDemonstrated ability to work in a team environment\nStrong innovation skill.\nFlexibility/adaptability in a fast-paced & dynamic environment\nThe salary range for this position is $85,000- $100,000 D.O.E.\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":4394,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Life insurance","Vision insurance"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Optical Communications","Lasers & Laser Systems","Test & Measurement Instruments","Optics & Photonic Components"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-09T14:35:10Z"},{"event":"close","at":"2026-10-12T14:17:24Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"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":"2026-10-03T21:08:04+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":null,"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":100000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/thorlabs-photonics-engineer-i-2","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/thorlabs-photonics-engineer-i-2.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-12T18:31:12Z","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":29940,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-13T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"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-photonics-engineer-i-2"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"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-photonics-engineer-i-2"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"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-photonics-engineer-i-2"},{"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-photonics-engineer-i-2\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fthorlabs-photonics-engineer-i-2"}]}