Mid Level Photonics Engineer Jobs
Mid level photonics engineer jobs go to engineers ready to own experimental designs end to end, mentor junior team members, and make technical calls without constant oversight. Openings are concentrated in Electronics & Hardware, Manufacturing, and Telecommunications, with 22% of roles offering remote or hybrid arrangements, and employers like Nokia, Coherent, and Hyperlight hiring at this level now.
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INTRODUCTION
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.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and optimize manufacturing processes for testing lasers and other photonics products.
- Perform incoming inspection, including testing, on various mechanical, optical, and electrical components and subassemblies.
- Implement and maintain quality control procedures to ensure products meet specifications and standards.
- Assemble and test fiber and free-space components, subassemblies and systems.
- Develop and maintain detailed documentation, including Bills of Materials (BOMs), drawings, assembly instructions and standard operating procedures through Thorlabs’s ERP system.
- Assist in training production staff.
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and product quality.
- Manage production schedules and ensure on-time shipments as required.
- Provide support to production and NPI teams as needed.
- Support sustaining engineering on existing products.
- Interface with customers to provide technical support.
- Install laser systems at customer site and train customers.
- Identify technological pathways for future products via theoretical and laboratory R&D.
- Interface with team members and customers to jointly determine customer needs and solutions.
- Understand and support quality policies and objectives.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:
- Minimum 3 years relevant industry experience with BS, OR 0-3 years relevant industry experience with advanced degree
- Practical experience with precision photonics measurements and instrumentation
- Experience building optical assemblies
Education:
- BS, MS, or PhD in an optics or physics-related engineering field
Knowledge and Skills:
- Experience with fiber optics and fiber components.
- Proficient optical and laser alignment skills
- Experience with optoelectronic device testing and automated data acquisition tools is preferred
- Experience in one of the following fields preferred: fiber lasers, optical amplifiers, ultrafast optics, and nonlinear optics
- Experience with data analysis software (MATLAB, Python, Excel, or similar)
- Strong analytical skills and real problem-solving experience
- Flexibility/adaptability in a fast-paced & dynamic environment
- High attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
- Effective written and oral communication
COMPENSATION
- The estimated pay range for this role is $80,000 - $110,000 annually
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.
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 identity 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.
INTRODUCTION
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.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and optimize manufacturing processes for testing lasers and other photonics products.
- Perform incoming inspection, including testing, on various mechanical, optical, and electrical components and subassemblies.
- Implement and maintain quality control procedures to ensure products meet specifications and standards.
- Assemble and test fiber and free-space components, subassemblies and systems.
- Develop and maintain detailed documentation, including Bills of Materials (BOMs), drawings, assembly instructions and standard operating procedures through Thorlabs’s ERP system.
- Assist in training production staff.
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and product quality.
- Manage production schedules and ensure on-time shipments as required.
- Provide support to production and NPI teams as needed.
- Support sustaining engineering on existing products.
- Interface with customers to provide technical support.
- Install laser systems at customer site and train customers.
- Identify technological pathways for future products via theoretical and laboratory R&D.
- Interface with team members and customers to jointly determine customer needs and solutions.
- Understand and support quality policies and objectives.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:
- Minimum 3 years relevant industry experience with BS, OR 0-3 years relevant industry experience with advanced degree
- Practical experience with precision photonics measurements and instrumentation
- Experience building optical assemblies
Education:
- BS, MS, or PhD in an optics or physics-related engineering field
Knowledge and Skills:
- Experience with fiber optics and fiber components.
- Proficient optical and laser alignment skills
- Experience with optoelectronic device testing and automated data acquisition tools is preferred
- Experience in one of the following fields preferred: fiber lasers, optical amplifiers, ultrafast optics, and nonlinear optics
- Experience with data analysis software (MATLAB, Python, Excel, or similar)
- Strong analytical skills and real problem-solving experience
- Flexibility/adaptability in a fast-paced & dynamic environment
- High attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
- Effective written and oral communication
COMPENSATION
- The estimated pay range for this role is $80,000 - $110,000 annually
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.
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 identity 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.
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Mid Level Photonics Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mid level photonics engineer job?
Position yourself around project ownership and independent problem-solving. Highlight work where you drove a design from concept through validation, resolved integration challenges without escalating, or improved a process on your own initiative. Tailor your resume to show measurable outcomes, not just tasks. Mid level hiring managers want to see that you can own a deliverable, so lead with examples where the work succeeded because of your specific decisions.
Which companies hire mid level photonics engineers?
Companies hiring mid level photonics engineers right now include Nokia, Coherent, and Hyperlight, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a mix of defense and aerospace contractors, semiconductor and laser manufacturers, and medical device firms that need engineers who can move projects forward with limited supervision.
Are there remote mid level photonics engineer jobs?
Yes, though many roles require lab or cleanroom access, which limits full remote options. About 22% of mid level photonics engineer openings are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with hybrid arrangements most common at companies that separate design and analysis work from hands-on fabrication. Filtering by work setting on Migrate Mate helps you find roles that match your preferred arrangement.
How do I move up to a mid level photonics engineer role?
The path from entry level to mid level is built on deepening one or two technical specializations, such as fiber systems, optical design, or laser characterization, while taking on progressively larger project scopes. Engineers who reach mid level typically demonstrate that they can close out a project independently, catch downstream problems early, and communicate trade-offs clearly to other teams. Consistent delivery on owned work over two to four years is what makes the difference.
Which industries hire the most mid level photonics engineers?
Mid Level photonics engineer roles concentrate in Electronics & Hardware, Manufacturing, and Telecommunications, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because their product cycles require engineers who can move from prototype to production readiness and contribute to cross-functional programs without extended ramp-up time.