Applications Engineer II

Thorlabs; Lafayette (CO); On-site; USD 93,900 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Thorlabs is seeking an Applications Engineer II in Lafayette, CO to translate customer needs into clear lab electronics product requirements. You will test prototypes, create demos for tradeshows, and document results to guide product improvements.

The role bridges engineering, sales, and customers, with frequent travel to tradeshows and other Thorlabs locations as needed. Strong communication and lab experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar position.
• Experience in a photonics laboratory environment (essential).
• Experience building optical and electronic setups (essential).
• Experience in a customer-facing position (desired).

Responsibilities

• Develop and document product requirements for new lab electronics products based on customer needs and market trends.
• Evaluate prototype designs against competitive solutions and benchmark performance.
• Plan and execute structured testing of prototypes and translate results into feedback.
• Design compelling product demonstrations for tradeshows and customer visits.
• Author technical whitepapers and performance reports communicating capabilities.
• Coordinate timely responses to customer technical inquiries with accurate CRM records.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, marketing, and sales.

Skills

Optics lab equipment

Strong communication

MS Office

ERP systems

CRM systems

Education

BS/MS/PhD in related field

Tools

CRM systems

ERP systems

Job description

About Thorlabs

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 contributions 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 Applications Engineer II role exists to translate customer needs and market insights into well-defined product requirements, primarily for our growing lab electronics portfolio, while ensuring new products deliver clear performance advantages. This position bridges engineering, sales, and customers by testing and validating prototypes, demonstrating product capabilities through demos and technical content, and capturing real-world feedback to guide continuous improvement. The role also ensures responsive, organized customer support by managing technical inquiries and maintaining accurate records, helping drive both product innovation and customer success. The position is in Lafayette, CO but will also require travel to tradeshows or to other Thorlabs locations from time to time.

Responsibilities

• Develop and document product requirements for new lab electronics products based on customer needs, market trends, and application insights.
• Evaluate and benchmark prototype designs against competitive market solutions.
• Plan and execute structured testing of prototypes and translate results into actionable engineering feedback.
• Design and build compelling product demonstrations for tradeshows, customer visits, and internal reviews.
• Author technical whitepapers, application notes, and performance reports that clearly communicate product capabilities and advantages.
• Gather customer feedback, application challenges, and new product ideas through direct engagement at trade shows.
• Coordinate and deliver timely, high-quality responses to customer technical inquiries, ensuring accurate documentation in CRM systems.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, marketing, and sales to align product requirements, messaging, and go‑to‑market activities.
• Maintain accurate records of customer engagements, opportunities, and technical issues within ERP/CRM tools to support business visibility.
• Develop application and support documentation to enable effective product adoption and customer success.

The company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar position, or
• Experience in a photonics laboratory environment (essential)
• Experience building optical and electronic setups (essential)
• Experience in a customer-facing position (desired)

Education

• BS, MS, or PhD in related field or equivalent work experience

Specialized Knowledge and Skills

• Deep experience with a variety of optics lab equipment, including spectrum analyzers, feedback electronics, lock‑in‑amplifiers, and digital data acquisition.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multiplex tasks.
• Scientific coding for instrument control desired
• Strong problem‑solving capability
• Strong computer skills with MS Office, ERP, CRM systems
• Ability to work well in an interactive environment.
• Ability to manage many simultaneous requests.

Compensation

The estimated pay range for this role is $93,900 - $ 108,000 annually

Equal Employment Opportunity

Thorlabs 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.

Benefits

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.