{"id":1671693,"url":"https://alion.io/job/workinoptics-engineering-manager","title":"Engineering Manager","company":{"id":1983057,"name":"WorkinOptics","domain":"workinoptics.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/workinoptics","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":true,"listed_via":"workinoptics.com","ats_vendor":"Schema","truth_index":null},"role":"Leadership","role_family":"Leadership","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":142000,"max_usd":287000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":996},"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-24T15:17:35Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-24","last_verified_at":"2026-09-24T15:17:35Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":null,"days_open":13,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":13},"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 Engineering Manager is responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team that develops complex photonics systems. This role is equally focused on engineering execution and team leadership, with strong emphasis on production readiness, manufacturing engineering, and disciplined processes. The Engineering Manager will manage component design and system integration, while ensuring designs are manufacturable, scalable, and aligned with quality and schedule commitments. This role is a hands-on leadership role that bridges R&D, manufacturing engineering, and operations.\nAlthough the location of the position is in Morganville, NJ, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations.\nEssential Job Functions include the following, but are not limited to:\nLead multidisciplinary teams in photonics component design and system integration.\nDrive iterative design cycles to shorten development time and improve outcomes.\nBalance new technology with proven solutions for reliability and production readiness.\nApply DFM and DFA to optimize designs for manufacturing and assembly.\nManage engineering schedules, milestones, dependencies, and critical path execution.\nOversee system integration and validation across optical, mechanical, and electronic subsystems.\nEnsure ISO processes and PLM use, including documentation, BOMs, and change control.\nPartner with manufacturing engineering to support ramp, yield, and process stability.\nFoster a learning-focused, inquisitive team culture with testing and continuous improvement.\nLead structured design reviews, cross-functional communication, and risk mitigation.\nDeliver regular performance updates on project status, risks, and emerging concerns.\nMonitor and report project and team performance, including individual accountability and results.\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: Work 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.\nRequirementsExperience:\n5-10 years engineering in design, manufacturing, quality, or PLM.\nExperience leading multidisciplinary teams in complex photonics or precision systems.\nAbility to manage schedules, deliverables, and iterative development cycles.\nMinimum 2 years of engineering management experience or similar leadership role in the industry.\nEducation:\nBS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optics, Physics, or related field.\nSpecialized Knowledge and Skills:\nExpertise in rapid prototyping and iterative design to accelerate development.\nStrong DFM and DFA knowledge to ensure manufacturable, scalable designs.\nExperience with ISO-compliant processes, design control, and documentation.\nPLM proficiency, including BOM management, change control, and traceability.\nAbility to drive system integration and validation across multiple disciplines.\nManufacturing engineering experience, including ramp, yield, and process stability.\nStrong communication skills for reporting performance, risks, and project status.\nAbility to build a learning-focused team balancing innovation and proven solutions.\nSalary range for this position is $135,000-$160,000 depending on experience\nOther: The position requires some travel including to Tradeshows and remote strategy meetings.\nDirect Reports: This position has direct manager responsibilities of Engineers; including performance evaluations, schedules and PTO requests.\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 identity 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 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":5956,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":2,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Life insurance","Vision insurance"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Higher Education","Optical Communications","Job Boards & Aggregators"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-02T06:58:40Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":76,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.841,"p_room":0.9,"age_days":12,"expected_fill_days":32,"reasons":["seen:12","velocity","win:mid","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-07T05:47:15Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/workinoptics-engineering-manager","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/workinoptics-engineering-manager.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-08T00:32:08Z","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","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":748,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":4252,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-10-09T00:00:00Z"}},"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":1983057},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=1983057"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fworkinoptics-engineering-manager"},{"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%2Fworkinoptics-engineering-manager"},{"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%2Fworkinoptics-engineering-manager"},{"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/workinoptics-engineering-manager\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fworkinoptics-engineering-manager"}]}