Application Development Manager

At Thorlabs, we design and manufacture components, instruments, and systems that transform the world by identifying, enabling, and accelerating key photonics (i.e., light-based) technologies. Backed by a dedicated workforce of more than 3,000 employees worldwide, Thorlabs contributes to cutting-edge research and real-world innovation.

Whether you're early in your career or bringing years of experience, you’ll find opportunities to grow, take ownership, and make meaningful contributions from day one. We know every employee brings unique talents and perspectives that fuel our success, and we seek driven individuals who are excited to make an impact in a fun, fast-moving culture.

The Application Development Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations, delivery coordination, people management, and hands-on technical contribution of the Application Development team. This role manages a technical team responsible for custom application development, integrations, automation, QA, DevOps, low-code solutions, and any related enterprise application support.

The Application Development Manager combines operational leadership with hands-on software development, application integration, and technical problem-solving. The role works closely with IT leadership, business stakeholders, and technical team members to prioritize work, improve team performance, mature development practices, and support the continued evolution of the company’s application development capabilities. Although the location of the position is in Newton, NJ, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations.

Essential Job Functions include the following, but are not limited to:

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Application Development team, including work coordination, prioritization, communication, and delivery follow-up.
• Manage, coach, and support team members across application development, QA, integrations, automation, and low-code development, including performance feedback, professional development, and workload balancing.
• Establish team operating cadence and accountability practices, including regular one-on-ones, team meetings, status updates, delivery reporting, and escalation of risks, issues, dependencies, and resource constraints.
• Coordinate application development work intake, prioritization, resource planning, and delivery tracking across projects, enhancements, operational support, and production issues.
• Perform hands-on software development, application integration, troubleshooting, and technical problem solving as needed to support project delivery, production issues, and team execution.
• Design, develop, and support application integrations using APIs, Azure services, Azure Functions, OData services, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and related Microsoft technologies.
• Oversee and contribute to the design, development, testing, deployment, and support of application solutions, ensuring work is delivered with appropriate quality, documentation, maintainability, security, and support readiness.
• Promote and reinforce software development lifecycle best practices, including requirements documentation, technical specifications, code reviews, testing, release management, CI/CD, production support transition, and post-implementation follow-up.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders and cross-functional IT teams to clarify requirements, manage expectations, communicate timelines, improve business processes, and support successful solution delivery.
• Align priorities, improve delivery practices, support roadmap planning, and strengthen team operating discipline.

In addition to the essential functions and duties listed above, all positions are also responsible for:

• Meeting company standards pertaining to quantity and quality of work performed on an ongoing basis, performing all work-related tasks in a manner that is in compliance with all Company policies and procedures.

• Adhering to Company policies, procedures, and directives regarding standards of workplace behavior in completing job duties and assignments.

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

Requirements

Physical Activities:

This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand, as necessary.

Qualifications

Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in application development, enterprise applications & systems integration, software delivery, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience leading technical teams, coordinating application delivery, or serving in technical lead, team lead, or player-coach capacity.
• Hands-on experience designing, developing, supporting, or integrating software solutions using APIs, cloud services, Azure Functions, OData services, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, or related Microsoft technologies.
• Experience working with agile software development methodologies, software development lifecycle practices, testing, release management, CI/CD, documentation, and production support processes.
• Experience working across cross-functional technical and business teams, including developers, QA, DevOps, business analysts, vendors, and business stakeholders.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant technical experience.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong people leadership skills, including coaching, communication, accountability, performance feedback, employee engagement, and team development.
• Strong hands-on software development and application integration skills, including experience with APIs, cloud-based solutions, enterprise applications, and modern development practices.
• Strong working experience with Microsoft Azure services, Azure Functions, Dynamics 365 APIs, OData services, Power Platform, and related Microsoft application technologies preferred.
• Solid understanding of software development lifecycle practices, including requirements gathering, technical design, code review, testing, deployment, release management, CI/CD, documentation, and support transition.
• Strong organizational and delivery management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple priorities across projects, enhancements, operational support, and production issues.
• Ability to lead technical teams while providing credible technical guidance, hands-on support, and practical problem-solving across multiple development disciplines.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to interact effectively with technical teams, business users, vendors, IT leadership, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment in balancing speed, quality, supportability, governance, security, and business impact.

The salary range for this position is $142,000- $150,000 D.O.E.

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants 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.

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.