R&D Applications Engineer

What is the job?

This role drives the development, execution, and communication of application focused testing for photonics products—specifically precision motion control stages, positioning systems, vibration isolation platforms, and optical tables. The Application Engineer validates product performance, generates compelling technical materials, and bridges R&D, product management, and marketing to ensure that products meet real world application demands in research and industrial photonics markets. Operating within the R&D Engineering team, this role interacts closely with Application Marketing, Product Management, Manufacturing, and Sales.

The position supports the full product lifecycle by ensuring that testing, data generation, and application insights effectively demonstrate the performance and value of our motion control and optical table solutions to global photonics customers.

Monday to Friday 8.00 am – 4.30 pm (Hybrid working available)

Engineering

2 stage process following shortlisting – First stage: 1 Hour Teams interview Second stage:
OnSite 3 hour interview

Thorlabs is a global, industry leading optical technologies company. We are experts in the design and manufacture or a range of innovative photonics products. We use these products in manufacturing and research, from fibre optics to piezo motors. We are the gold standard with optics laboratories worldwide. There are now 22 facilities across the world in 9 countries. Here in Ely, we are responsible for the Motion Control and Optical Tables product line.

It’s a hybrid role, working in our new purpose-built facility in Witchford, Ely as well as your home. The facility isjust 12 miles from Cambridge, within the beautiful mediaeval city of Ely. There are train and bus links to Ely from Kings Cross and Liverpool Street London, and our site is within distance of Ely train station and Ely Bus station.

• Degree in Electronic Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum 2–3 years’ experience in an engineering, product testing, or applications-focused role
• Prior experience preparing application materials, test reports, or technical documentation is highly beneficial.
• Strong proficiency in designing and executing engineering test plans.
• Strong understanding of photonics laboratory setups, system alignment, and optical handling
• Ability to analyse data and draw clear, meaningful application-level conclusions.
• Experience with precision motion control systems
• Proficiency in noise/vibration testing, stability measurements, and data analysis highly desire
• Familiarity with photonics applications such as interferometry, beam delivery, microscopy, or metrology
• Ability to produce clear, structured technical documents that are accessible to mixed audiences.
• Understanding of product development processes and application marketing principles
• Comfortable working in multidisciplinary teams across engineering, marketing, and commercial functions
• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to work independently
• Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly
• Adhering to core values and driven positive attitude
• Positive contribution to multi-departmental initiatives and process improvements
• Receptive to new challenges and expanding current knowledge.

• Develop, execute, and document test procedures that validate product performance across defined applications.
• Produce high‑quality application notes, white papers, and demonstrations that translate technical performance into practical customer use case
• Work cross-functionally with R&D, product line management and marketing to identify relevant application scenarios requiring targeting testing.
• Analyse test outcomes to identify improvement opportunities or necessary product refinements.
• Support product launches by supplying data, test reports, and application insights.
• Act as a technical resource for internal teams, providing clear explanations of application behaviours, performance characteristics and best practices for our product lines.
• Assis…