Application Development Manager

Thorlabs; Newton (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Thorlabs in Newton, NJ is seeking an Application Development Manager to lead the day‑to‑day operations of the Application Development team, coordinate delivery, and provide hands‑on technical contribution across API integrations, cloud services, and enterprise applications.

You will collaborate with IT leadership, stakeholders, and cross‑functional teams to prioritize work, improve development practices, and ensure code quality, documentation, and production readiness while aligning with the

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in application development, enterprise applications & system integration, software delivery, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience leading technical teams, coordinating application delivery, or serving in technical lead, team lead, or player‑coach capacity.
• Hands‑on experience designing, developing, supporting, or integrating software solutions using APIs, cloud services, Azure Functions, OData services, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, or related Microsoft technologies.
• Experience working with agile software development methodologies, software development lifecycle practices, testing, release management, CI/CD, documentation, and production support processes.
• Experience working across cross‑functional technical and business teams, including developers, QA, DevOps, business analysts, vendors, and business stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day‑to‑day operations of the Application Development team, including work coordination, prioritization, communication, and delivery follow‑up.
• Manage, coach, and support team members across application development, QA, integrations, automation, and low‑code development, including performance feedback, professional development, and workload balancing.
• Establish team operating cadence and accountability practices, including regular one‑on‑ones, team meetings, status updates, delivery reporting, and escalation of risks, issues, dependencies, and resource constraints.
• Coordinate application development work intake, prioritization, resource planning, and delivery tracking across projects, enhancements, operational support, and production issues.
• Perform hands‑on software development, application integration, troubleshooting, and technical problem solving as needed to support project delivery, production issues, and team execution.
• Design, develop, and support application integrations using APIs, Azure services, Azure Functions, OData services, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and related Microsoft technologies.
• Oversee and contribute to the design, development, testing, deployment, and support of application solutions, ensuring work is delivered with appropriate quality, documentation, maintainability, security, and support readiness.
• Promote and reinforce software development lifecycle best practices, including requirements documentation, technical specifications, code reviews, testing, release management, CI/CD, production support transition, and post‑implementation follow‑up.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders and cross‑functional IT teams to clarify requirements, manage expectations, communicate timelines, improve business processes, and support successful solution delivery.
• Align priorities, improve delivery practices, support roadmap planning, and strengthen team operating discipline.

Skills

APIs

Azure Functions

Power Platform

Dynamics 365

CI/CD

Agile methodologies

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or related field

Tools

Azure services

OData services

Dynamics 365

Power Platform

Job 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.

Whether 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.

The Application Development Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations, delivery coordination, people management, and hands-on technical contribution of the Application Development team. This role manages a technical team responsible for custom application development, integrations, automation, QA, DevOps, low-code solutions, and any related enterprise application support.

The Application Development Manager combines operational leadership with hands-on software development, application integration, and technical problem-solving. The role works closely with IT leadership, business stakeholders, and technical team members to prioritize work, improve team performance, mature development practices, and support the continued evolution of the company's application development capabilities. Although the location of the position is in Newton, NJ, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Application Development team, including work coordination, prioritization, communication, and delivery follow-up.
• Manage, coach, and support team members across application development, QA, integrations, automation, and low-code development, including performance feedback, professional development, and workload balancing.
• Establish team operating cadence and accountability practices, including regular one-on-ones, team meetings, status updates, delivery reporting, and escalation of risks, issues, dependencies, and resource constraints.
• Coordinate application development work intake, prioritization, resource planning, and delivery tracking across projects, enhancements, operational support, and production issues.
• Perform hands-on software development, application integration, troubleshooting, and technical problem solving as needed to support project delivery, production issues, and team execution.
• Design, develop, and support application integrations using APIs, Azure services, Azure Functions, OData services, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and related Microsoft technologies.
• Oversee and contribute to the design, development, testing, deployment, and support of application solutions, ensuring work is delivered with appropriate quality, documentation, maintainability, security, and support readiness.
• Promote and reinforce software development lifecycle best practices, including requirements documentation, technical specifications, code reviews, testing, release management, CI/CD, production support transition, and post‑implementation follow‑up.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders and cross‑functional IT teams to clarify requirements, manage expectations, communicate timelines, improve business processes, and support successful solution delivery.
• Align priorities, improve delivery practices, support roadmap planning, and strengthen team operating discipline.

In addition to the essential functions and duties listed above, all positions are also responsible for:

• Meeting 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.
• Adhering to Company policies, procedures, and directives regarding standards of workplace behavior in completing job duties and assignments.

Requirements

Physical Activities

This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand, as necessary.

Qualifications

Experience

• 7+ years of experience in application development, enterprise applications & system integration, software delivery, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience leading technical teams, coordinating application delivery, or serving in technical lead, team lead, or player‑coach capacity.
• Hands‑on experience designing, developing, supporting, or integrating software solutions using APIs, cloud services, Azure Functions, OData services, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, or related Microsoft technologies.
• Experience working with agile software development methodologies, software development lifecycle practices, testing, release management, CI/CD, documentation, and production support processes.
• Experience working across cross‑functional technical and business teams, including developers, QA, DevOps, business analysts, vendors, and business stakeholders.

Education

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant technical experience.