Electrical Engineer II

About This Role

Serve as a technical lead guiding the architecture and development of next-generation laboratory electronic products for Thorlabs' Colorado Center for Innovation, taking ownership of the full product lifecycle from concept to manufacturing release. This role focuses on solving complex hardware challenges in low-noise instrumentation and quantum photonics while providing technical oversight to junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and schematic capture of high-precision analog and digital systems, ensuring optimal signal integrity for low-noise applications
• Independently manage PCB layout strategies for complex, multi-layer boards involving high-speed signals, sensitive photonics interfaces, and varied power systems
• Lead root-cause analysis for complex system failures and implement long-term design fixes
• Coordinate with mechanical, software, and photonics engineers to define system requirements and ensure seamless cross-disciplinary integration
• Oversee and guarantee that all products meet rigorous international standards (EMC/EMI, UL, CE) through comprehensive validation planning
• Act as a technical resource and provide oversight for early-career engineers, conducting design reviews and promoting engineering best practices

Requirements

• 5–10 years of professional experience specifically in precision analog design or high-performance instrumentation
• BSEE or MSEE or similar from an ABET accredited institution
• Proficiency in EDA tools (including multi-layer stack-up and high-speed routing) and advanced SPICE/LTspice modeling
• Hands-on experience performing advanced measurements of electronics (e.g., 1GHz+ oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers)
• Deep understanding of the design considerations for precision analog design, high-efficiency power conversion, and high-speed digital integration
• Familiarity with embedded digital electronics including microprocessors, microcontrollers, programmable logic devices, volatile and non-volatile memories, Ethernet, I2C, SPI, UART, and USB
• Proven ability to author comprehensive Design Specifications, Test Plans, and Manufacturing Instructions; experienced in Design for Excellence (DFX) for manufacturability and test (DFM/DFT)
• Demonstrated success in contributing to cross-functional teams moving products from initial concept through New Product Introduction (NPI) and into low-volume/high-complexity production environments
• Proficiency in advanced electronics rework, including fine-pitch SMT soldering and BGA troubleshooting
• Experience managing Signal Integrity (SI) and Power Integrity (PI) in sensitive analog-digital hybrid systems

Qualifications

• BSEE or MSEE or similar from an ABET accredited institution
• 5–10 years of professional experience specifically in precision analog design or high-performance instrumentation

Nice to Have

• Altium Designer preferred
• Architecting automated test environments using Python, LabVIEW, or C/C++
• A proven track record in photonics, laser control electronics, or precision measurement instrumentation
• Experience designing systems incorporating FPGAs for signal processing and HDLs (e.g. VHDL or Verilog)

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits