About the job
At Thorlabs, we specialize in designing and manufacturing innovative components, instruments, and systems that drive advancements in photonics technologies. Our dedicated team of over 3,000 employees worldwide is committed to contributing to groundbreaking research and real-world innovations.
Whether you're starting your career or bringing extensive experience, Thorlabs offers opportunities for growth, responsibility, and impactful contributions from day one. We value the unique talents and perspectives each employee brings, and we are looking for motivated individuals who are eager to make a difference in a dynamic and enjoyable work environment.
The Scientific Glass Operations Manager plays a pivotal role in the conception, design, and prototyping of a product line within our Mechanical Business Unit (MBU). Key activities involve documentation management, vendor coordination, prototyping, and overseeing the transition to manufacturing. Responsibilities include enhancing the profitability of existing products, developing new offerings, identifying growth opportunities, and ensuring quality in manufacturing, marketing, and sales. The successful candidate will troubleshoot complex mechanical issues and maintain a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. While based in Newton, NJ, occasional travel to other Thorlabs locations may be required.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Leading a dedicated product line team, managing:
- Procurement of necessary raw materials and consumables for research, development, and production.
- Maintenance of all glass shop equipment, including lathe, polishing tools, vacuum systems, and cutting tools.
- Production oversight of existing products and custom orders.
- Introduction of new products, managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Developing a comprehensive product line strategy and obtaining necessary approvals for implementation.
- Designing new products based on existing concepts and collaborating with the team to generate innovative ideas informed by industry insights and customer feedback.
- Streamlining processes to accelerate time-to-market for new products.
- Managing the complete product lifecycle.
- Serving as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding product offerings, collaborating with sales channels and key customers.
- Documenting all aspects of the product line, including design, testing, manufacturing, and quality control.
- Working closely with marketing communications to define and execute the go-to-market strategy, ensuring alignment on product positioning, key benefits, and target audience.
- Addressing all product-related challenges and customer needs, fostering the development of innovative solutions.
- Exploring OEM opportunities for expanding market reach.

