Manufacturing Engineer II

Share this job SVGs not supported by this browser. Description Thorlabs is pleased to play a role in advancing science through the components, instruments, and systems we design and manufacture. We believe that science and innovation have great potential to improve the world around us and are committed to advancing photonics (i.e., light-based) technologies that positively impact our customers, employees, and communities. Via educational outreach and more sustainable business practices, we continuously invest in a brighter future. We recognize that each of our employees is a unique individual with the ability to contribute to our success and seek to find great people who will thrive in our fun, fast-paced culture. The Manufacturing Engineer II develops and improves production processes for existing and newly released advanced photonics products at the Colorado Center for Innovation, supports the transfer of new designs into production, enhances manufacturing documentation and assembly methods, resolves production-related issues, and promotes quality and manufacturability across production and production-facing engineering activities. Although the location of the position is in Lafayette, CO, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs' locations.

• Identify and resolve manufacturing issues affecting production workflows and newly released products to support yield, quality, and throughput targets.
• Develop and optimize production layouts, tooling, and workflows to support lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in cross-functional design reviews to ensure new products meet DFM/DFA requirements prior to release to production.
• Lead and support new product introduction (NPI) activities, ensuring successful transfer from engineering to production in accordance with release processes and specifications.
• Maintain and update ERP system data including BOMs, routings, documentation, and execution of ECOs for new and existing products.
• Collaborate with engineering to improve product manufacturability, quality, reliability, and cost through pilot builds, process development, and design standard updates.
• Define and verify test methods, acceptance criteria, and critical dimensions/tolerances for released assemblies and precision machined components.
• Create and maintain manufacturing work instructions, process documentation, routing steps, and standard times to support efficient and repeatable production.
• Partner with quality, service, and RMA teams to investigate field returns, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Work with engineering to define and maintain incoming inspection requirements that ensure supplier components meet internal quality standards and coordinate inspection activities.

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

Requirements Experience:

• 4+ years of manufacturing engineering experience supporting high complexity electro-optical, photonics, or precision optomechanical products, including hands-on involvement with NPI and engineering-to production transfer activities.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining manufacturing documentation, alignment procedures, test methods, routings, and ECOdriven configuration changes.
• Experience collaborating with engineering, technicians, quality, and suppliers to resolve manufacturability issues, define inspection criteria, and improve yield, repeatability, and product performance in precision hardware systems.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in

Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Related Technical Area Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

• Working knowledge of precision optomechanical and photonics assemblies and optics, including alignment sensitivity and tolerance considerations
• Familiarity with manufacturing documentation practices, including work instructions, inspection criteria, and controlled revisions
• Proficiency using ERP/MRP systems to support BOMs, routings, and engineering change implementation
• Experience with standard measurement equipment (calipers, micrometers, pin and thread gauges, etc.)
• Experience with SolidWorks is a plus The estimated pay range for this role is $71,000 - $ 93,900 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. Apply for this job