{"id":2937734,"url":"https://alion.io/job/thorlabs-process-and-automation-engineer","title":"Process and Automation Engineer","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":20,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.75,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":33,"computed_at":"2026-10-27T05:46:45Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Newton, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":71500,"max":94000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":94000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"SolidWorks","optional":false}],"status":"closed","first_seen_at":"2026-10-20T16:33:06Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-20","last_verified_at":"2026-10-26T18:32:17Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":"2026-10-26T18:32:17Z","days_open":6,"trust":{"level":"not_scored","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":6},"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\nThorlabs is one of the world’s best manufacturers of optomechanical products for the photonics industry. Our machine shop houses nearly 60 CNC machines, Wire EDM, grinding capabilities, Chemical Passivation, and Anodization capabilities. The process and automation engineer is responsible for creating and implementing COGS reduction initiatives and to lead the digital transformation and automation of the machine shop. They will work closely with senior leaders in the Mechanics business unit to continually improve the operation in order to deliver better value to our customers and to create a modern, safe, and productive working environment for shop employees.\nEssential Job Functions include the following, but are not limited to:\nIdentify COGS reduction opportunities in the machine shop\nSuccessfully implement COGS reduction initiatives\noE.g., improve machine prints, process sheets, tooling choices, jigs/tooling, etc.\nIdentify automation and digital transformation opportunities in the machine shop\nSuccessfully implement automation and digital transformation initiatives\noE.g., automate repetitive tasks, install sensors and other systems to help utilize the data to improve productivity\nIdentify opportunities to improve in-process inspection methods and metrology equipment used throughout the machine shop\nDocument and carry out shop floor implementation tests for new manufacturing processes\nTrain production employees on standard operating procedures\nUpdate drawings to improve manufacturability\nWork with the design engineering team to ensure manufacturability of new products\nProvide technical support for quality or manufacturing issues\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. Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally. The work areas may be noisy at times.\nRequirements\nQualifications\nExperience:\n5 years of experience in automation and/or manufacturing process\nEducation:\nB.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Similar\nSpecialized Knowledge and Skills:\nSolidworks\nCNC Programing and Operation\nISO Documentation\nStrong sense of ownership and work ethic, written and verbal communication skills.\nDemonstrated problem solving skills\nProficient computer skills\nStrong ability to work well in a group atmosphere, and comply with high quality standards.\nStrong ability to shift from one task to another to address changing production priorities.\nAnnual pay range for this position is $71,500 - $94,000 depending on experience\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":4546,"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":["Lasers & Laser Systems","Test & Measurement Instruments","Optics & Photonic Components"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-20T16:33:06Z"},{"event":"close","at":"2026-10-26T18:32:17Z"}],"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":"2026-10-15T11:24:14+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":94000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/thorlabs-process-and-automation-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/thorlabs-process-and-automation-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-27T22:57:26Z","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":14812,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-28T00:00:00Z"}},"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-process-and-automation-engineer"},{"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-process-and-automation-engineer"},{"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-process-and-automation-engineer"},{"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-process-and-automation-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fthorlabs-process-and-automation-engineer"}]}