Jobs at Thorlabs, Inc.

Develops real-time embedded firmware for microcontroller-based photonics instruments. Responsibilities include designing firmware and test interfaces, documenting SDKs and operating procedures, prototyping, debugging, testing, developing manufacturing fixtures, troubleshooting electronics, supporting production, and transferring designs into manufacturing. The role requires collaboration with software teams and management of project timelines.

Vice President of Finance supporting the CFO in global financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, cash management, risk governance, acquisitions, and process improvement. The role leads fiscal planning, standardizes global finance processes, advises senior leadership, manages banking and audit relationships, and develops the finance organization. Strong manufacturing experience, strategic thinking, ERP expertise, and 15–20 years of accounting or finance experience are required.

Collects, cleans, validates, and analyzes manufacturing, engineering, marketing, sales, pricing, and ERP data. Develops data models, reports, dashboards, visualizations, and actionable recommendations for business stakeholders. Supports data governance, tracks initiatives, collaborates cross-functionally, presents findings, leads improvement efforts, and occasionally conducts operational training.

Develops and sustains semiconductor wafer fabrication processes through statistical process control, process documentation, experimentation, yield improvement, and equipment troubleshooting. The role monitors production and equipment performance, creates work instructions, supports new product processes, establishes preventive maintenance procedures, maintains safe process areas, and trains production staff. Collaboration with production, maintenance, and engineering teams is required. A bachelor’s degree in science or engineering is required; semiconductor experience is desirable but not required.

Leads cost-of-goods reduction, automation, and digital transformation initiatives in a CNC machine shop. Identifies process, tooling, inspection, and metrology improvements; implements new manufacturing processes; updates drawings for manufacturability; supports quality and manufacturing issues; and trains production employees on standard operating procedures. Collaborates with design engineering and senior manufacturing leaders to improve productivity, safety, quality, and operational value.

Leads the North America HRBP team and advises senior leaders on workforce planning, organizational design, talent and succession, performance management, employee relations, and organizational change. Translates business priorities into people strategies, uses workforce analytics to guide decisions, develops HR professionals, and partners with global HR teams to execute consistent programs and improve HRBP effectiveness.

Coordinates global supply chain and inventory optimization initiatives across business units. Responsibilities include stakeholder communication, project and workstream tracking, D365 planning parameter updates, reorder point maintenance, planning exception monitoring, data validation, KPI reporting, process documentation, and continuous improvement support. The role also prepares status reports, presentations, business reviews, and executive updates while coordinating follow-up on commitments and escalating risks.

Leads the French Customer Service team, overseeing performance, workload planning, order processing, escalations, customer communication, and service quality. Drives process improvement, KPI monitoring, compliance, coaching, and team development while collaborating with international Sales, Logistics, Finance, Supply Chain, IT, and leadership stakeholders. Supports complex customer requests and coordinates global service continuity.

Provides entry-level technical support for photonics products, including optics, lasers, fiber, opto-mechanics, motion control, microscopy, and imaging systems. Responsibilities include troubleshooting customer applications, reproducing laboratory setups, developing customized solutions, supporting product design, creating technical marketing materials, attending trade shows and customer visits, and training team members. The role requires collaboration with global support teams and occasional travel to other Thorlabs locations.

Supports technical sales by qualifying leads, developing opportunities, gathering customer requirements for custom solutions, and communicating company capabilities. Acts as a liaison between customers, sales, engineering, and manufacturing teams to align solutions with customer needs. Requires optics or optical systems experience, strong communication and organizational skills, proficiency with Microsoft Office, and willingness to travel up to 25% for customer visits and trade shows.

Design, build, test, and troubleshoot photonics tools and integrated optical systems. Develop experiments, qualification and acceptance tests, technical specifications, documentation, and manufacturing transfer processes. Collaborate with software, manufacturing, marketing, and service teams; provide technical support and resolve production issues. Perform data analysis, laboratory equipment control, and ERP data entry while supporting product development from research through production release.

Supports and improves electronics manufacturing processes for photonics products. Responsibilities include resolving production issues, developing assembly techniques, planning lean layouts, supporting new product transfers, training production staff, conducting root-cause analysis, maintaining manufacturing documentation and routing, creating fixtures, supporting engineering changes, and improving quality, efficiency, capacity, and manufacturability.

Assists with purchasing, inventory planning, forecasting, safety stock management, production scheduling, vendor evaluations, and cost-reduction initiatives. Coordinates with operations, manufacturing, engineering, sales, and overseas offices to manage purchasing, lead times, expediting, product availability, and back orders. Reviews ERP transactions, BOMs, documents, and data while generating reports and adapting to changing production priorities.

Provide sales ledger and purchase ledger support for Thorlabs SAS (France) and UK/France accounts: billing, credit control, customer/supplier contact in French, match payments, issue credit notes, reconcile vendor statements, support month-end, maintain KPIs, and assist with electronic invoice transmission and ledger tasks using Excel and D365.

Designs, builds, tests, and supports integrated photonic and electronic systems from proof of concept through manufacturing release. Responsibilities include experiment design, system engineering coordination, test development, product characterization, technical documentation, troubleshooting, project timeline and cost management, ERP data entry, and technical support for manufacturing, marketing, and service teams.

Develops automated functional tests and test systems for photonics products, including test fixtures, equipment integration, software release testing, data analysis, and reporting. Ensures products meet quality, safety, compliance, and regulatory standards. Supports approval applications, maintains compliance records, coordinates engineering actions, and communicates test results and issues across teams.

Provides administrative and operational support for Human Resources across Jessup, Maryland, and Sterling, Virginia. Responsibilities include onboarding and offboarding, I-9 verification, employee record maintenance, employment and wage verification, employee inquiries, engagement and wellness programs, career fairs, recruitment support, HR projects, and safety protocol assistance. The temporary role requires travel to Sterling at least weekly and strong communication, organization, confidentiality, and attention to detail.

Supports new product introduction from prototype through release by reviewing requirements, procuring pilot-run components, assisting manufacturing builds, testing software and firmware, updating documentation and BOMs, and supporting packaging, pricing, marketing, sales, and customers. The role also improves manufacturability, manages NPI inventory transactions, creates compliant product markings, and coordinates cross-functional project activities. A U.S. person is required for work involving ITAR products.

Lead supplier quality improvement through audits, corrective action plans, root cause analysis, and supplier development. Partner with Quality, Purchasing, Engineering, and supply chain teams to prevent defects, reduce variation, improve delivery, and implement Lean and continuous improvement tools. Conduct supplier visits, interpret high-precision engineering drawings, monitor quality KPIs, and verify sustained corrective actions. The role supports low-volume, high-mix manufacturing and requires strong supplier relationship, technical problem-solving, and project collaboration skills.

Develops electronics for precision microscope systems and scientific instruments, taking designs from concept through prototyping, debugging, testing, and manufacturing. Responsibilities include electro-opto and electromechanical design, circuit simulation, documentation, vendor and contract manufacturer management, troubleshooting, test fixture development, and production support. The role collaborates with global cross-functional teams and occasionally engages customers, sales, and field service personnel.