{"id":1515935,"url":"https://alion.io/job/workinoptics-photonics-engineer-ii","title":"Photonics Engineer II","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":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"middle","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":110000,"max":125000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":125000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":6,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-02T15:50:50Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-02","last_verified_at":"2026-09-02T15:50:50Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":null,"days_open":31,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":31},"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 Photonics Engineer II is responsible for driving innovation in applications and systems development for photonics products, with a focus on high-performance optical cavities and locking technologies. The role involves developing and releasing new products, developing internal optical metrology capabilities, and collaborating with both new and existing customers to ensure successful technical outcomes. The position includes working with a multi-disciplinary team of engineers to ensure that designs and manufacturing techniques will yield products that meet specifications and the needs of the customer application.\nAlthough the location of the position is in Lafayette, CO, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations.\n\nProduct development activities:\nGuide new products from initial ideas and proof of concept demonstration through prototype, release, production, and support of our customers.\nGenerate application-centric product specifications to serve as technical requirements for partner engineering disciplines (Mechanical, Electrical, Software, and Firmware)\nAssist with the release to production process within Thorlabs’ ERP system\nCollaborate on build documentation, assembly instructions, and training of production staff\n\nInternal optical metrology:\nDevelop advanced characterization systems that provide new insights into coating performance, substrate characteristics, and support improvements in production yield\nDesign standardized tools and templates to generate test and measurement documentation, enabling repeatable manufacturing of high-performance assemblies.\n\nCustomer-facing:\nDevelop technical materials for customer-facing publications, to aid customers in making informed buying decisions and understanding the operation of all devices.\nInterface with customers to provide technical support for optical assemblies.\n\nFulfillment of customer projects relating to optical assemblies:\nCoordinate the design, assembly, verification, and documentation of optical cavities and advanced systems such as optical reference apparatus and spectroscopic instrumentation\nProduce test reports and maintain traceability of measurements\nRequirementsExperience:\nMinimum 6 years relevant industry experience with BS, OR\n4 - 8 years post graduate experience (industry preferred) with an advanced degree\nEducation:\nBS in an optics or physics-related engineering field\nMS or PhD in optics or physics-related field (preferred)\nSpecialized Knowledge and Skills:\nExperience building optical and laser assemblies\nExperience with advanced scientific instruments desired, e.g. PID servos, PLLs, frequency counters, RF spectrum analyzers, AOMs, and EOMs Experience generating noise budgets for optical metrology efforts\nStrong knowledge of building instrument control interfaces using Python, C, and/or C++\nProficient with data analysis software (MATLAB, Python, Excel, or similar)\nStrong analytical skills and real problem-solving experience\nFlexibility/adaptability in a fast-paced & dynamic environment\nHigh attention to detail\nDemonstrated ability to work in a team environment\nEffective written and oral communication\nThe estimated pay range for this role is $110,000 - $ 125,000 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 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":4699,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":6,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":true},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Life insurance","Vision insurance"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Optical Communications","Higher Education","Job Boards & Aggregators"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-30T09:29:13Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":35,"band":"fade","label":"Fading","p_open":0.6,"p_active":0.778,"p_room":0.75,"age_days":30,"expected_fill_days":35,"reasons":["seen:30","velocity","win:late","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-03T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":125000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/workinoptics-photonics-engineer-ii","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/workinoptics-photonics-engineer-ii.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-04T00:47:43Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":958,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":4042,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-10-05T00:00:00Z"}}}