Applications Engineer II

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

Job summary

Thorlabs in Lafayette, CO is seeking an Applications Engineer II to translate customer needs and market insights into well-defined product requirements for our lab electronics portfolio. You will test prototypes, demonstrate capabilities through demos, and capture feedback to guide product improvement, while supporting customers with technical inquiries.

You will collaborate with engineering, marketing, and sales, document results, and travel to trade shows or other Thorlabs locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar position or experience in a photonics lab environment.
• Experience building optical and electronic setups.
• Experience in a customer-facing position is desirable.
• BS, MS, or PhD in related field or equivalent work experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and document product requirements based on customer needs, market trends, and application insights.
• Evaluate 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.

Skills

Customer-facing

Communication skills

Organization skills

Multitasking

Problem solving

Education

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

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems

CRM systems

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 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.

• 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.

This position requires candidates to be a U.S. Person under U.S export control regulations.

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.

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

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.

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.