Science Writer II

Thorlabs; La Fayette (KY); On-site; USD 74,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k)

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Thorlabs is seeking a Science Writer II to strengthen its position in photonics by creating effective technical content, application imagery, and marketing collateral. You will collaborate with engineers to translate product knowledge into compelling presentations and drive improvements to Thorlabs’ website to assist customers in their buying decisions.

Based in Newton, NJ; Lafayette, Colorado; or Rochester, New York, you may work at other Thorlabs locations as needed.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of prior photonics hands-on laboratory experience.
• Advanced degree in Physics, Optics, Lasers, or a closely related field or a bachelor’s degree plus 3-5 years of equivalent work experience.

Responsibilities

• Project Management: Utilize technical knowledge and ERP (D365) to craft comprehensive presentations for NPI, website updates, product discontinuation, acquisitions, tradeshows, social posts, video/animation projects, or other marketing collateral.
• Content Strategy: Ensure customers can compare 20,000+ items, propose website reorganizations, strengthen cross-linking, apply SEO tactics, and maintain documentation standards.
• Timely Updates: Meet deadlines, produce technically accurate content with minimal revisions across concurrent projects.
• Communication: Guide graphics and digital marketing staff; engage with engineering teams to capture product changes and update the website to aid customer buying decisions.
• Application Imagery: Create application examples and guide others in constructing visuals demonstrating lab usage of products.
• Website Enhancements: Work with marketing to test and implement tools (e.g., configurators) for better product introduction and customer experience.
• Product Road Mapping: Contribute to internal forums on product additions and enhancements.

Skills

Strong writing

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Learn new technologies

Bias for action

Education

Advanced degree in Physics/Optics/Lasers

Bachelor's degree + 3-5 years experience

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 Science Writer II role is responsible for strengthening Thorlabs’ position as a leading manufacturer of Photonics products through the creation of effective technical presentations, application images, and other marketing collateral that inform and educate the photonics community about Thorlabs’ products/capabilities and their applications. This role builds upon the Science Writer I role by demonstrating a firm understanding of Thorlabs’ extensive product portfolio; using existing technical experience and photonics knowledge to engage in meaningful conversations with engineering teams to gain an understanding of new product additions and how they fit into our existing portfolio; proposing and planning changes to Thorlabs’ website to enhance the buying experience for customers; and successfully executing plans to produce high-quality content requiring minimal feedback. This role works closely with graphic artists to create presentations. Original content is based on basic information provided by Thorlabs’ engineers, as well as prior knowledge gained from using similar products in the field. Although the position is based out of Newton, NJ; Lafayette, Colorado; or Rochester, New York, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations.

• Project Management: Utilizes technical knowledge plus gained knowledge of the organizational ERP platform (D365), content editing tools, and Thorlabs’ processes and standards to ensure comprehensive presentations in support of New Product Introduction (NPI), website updates, product discontinuation/supersession, acquisitions, tradeshows, social media posts, video/animation projects, or other marketing collateral. Presentations should require minimal feedback when it comes to technical accuracy, completeness, and adherence to Thorlabs standards for layout.
• Content Strategy: Ensures customers can make informed and efficient decisions on which product(s) best serve their needs amidst a portfolio of 20,000+ items, developing/implementing proposals for website (re)organization as needed, ensuring strong cross linkage across the website, incorporating search engine optimization tactics as appropriate, and ensuring all documentation is comprehensive and meets organizational standards.
• Timely Updates: Consistently meets deadlines, producing technically accurate content that meets company standards with minimal revisions, all while handling multiple projects at different stages of production.
• Communication: Guides graphics and digital marketing staff by clearly and effectively communicating desired outcomes to obtain the necessary images, videos, and animations for a successful presentation. Draws on existing technical experience to engage effectively with engineering teams to gain an understanding of new product additions, product revisions, or requested presentation improvements and executes updates to the website that support customer efficiency when making buying decisions. Communicates effectively to address issues and achieve desired outcomes.
• Application Imagery: Independently conceives of and builds application examples and/or guides others in the construction of application examples that help customers understand how products are utilized within a lab environment.
• Website Enhancements: Collaborates with marketing management to develop, test, and implement tools (e.g., configurators) that are necessary for new product introduction or an improved customer buying experience.
• Product Road Mapping: Comments on product additions/enhancements via participation in the internal product development forum

Requirements

Experience

3+ years of prior photonics hands-on laboratory experience

Education

Advanced degree in Physics, Optics, Lasers, or a closely related field or a bachelor’s degree plus 3-5 years of equivalent work experience.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills

Strong interpersonal skills for working in a team environment.

Excellent writing and presentation skills in English.

Excellent organizational and planning skills.

Ability to multitask, be detail oriented, and solve problems, all while under tight time constraints.

Willing to constantly learn new technologies/products and their applications.

Strong bias for action. Ability to flourish with minimal guidance, in a dynamic, fast-changing environment, and be proactive in times of ambiguity.

The estimated pay range for this role is $ 74,400 - $ 94,300 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.

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.