Product Line Manager (Lab Instrumentation)

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.

The Lab Instrumentation Product Line Manager (PLM) is a member of the Office of the CTO (OCTO) and is accountable for driving the commercial success and strategic direction of Thorlabs Lab Instrumentation portfolio. The PLM owns the definition and execution of product roadmaps, go-to-market strategies, and portfolio optimization initiatives across a defined subset of Thorlabs benchtop instrumentation offerings spanning multiple Business Units (BUs) and legal entities. The PLM works cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and sales teams to identify growth opportunities, strengthen product positioning, and expand both standard product revenue and OEM/custom solutions.

While the position can be based out of the following locations: Jessup, MD, Newton, NJ, Ann Arbor, MI, or Lafayette, CO, occasional travel to other Thorlabs locations is expected.

Essential Job Functions:

Portfolio Ownership & Strategic Steering

• Own and actively steer the Lab Instrumentation portfolio across participating BUs, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and market requirements.
• Define, prioritize, and drive and govern roadmap execution, including new product development, product lifecycle management, and rationalization of underperforming offerings.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of market segmentation, competitive positioning, and Thorlabs relative strengths.

Market Intelligence & Growth Leadership

• Lead market analysis efforts to identify trends, adjacencies, and whitespace opportunities, translating insights into actionable portfolio decisions.
• Drive initiatives to increase market share and wallet share within key accounts in close collaboration with Sales and Applications teams.
• Originate and lead strategic OEM and custom solution opportunities, coordinating efforts between customers and internal engineering/manufacturing teams.

Cross-Functional Alignment & Execution

• Act as the central decision-making and coordination point across BUs for the assigned portfolio, ensuring alignment on priorities, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Partner with Marketing and Tech Marketing to define and enforce high-quality, consistent digital content, specifications, and application positioning.
• Shape and guide a coherent tradeshow and business development strategy for the portfolio.

NPI Governance & Delivery

• Play a leading role in the New Product Introduction (NPI) process, including concept approval, prioritization, and design validation.
• Hold teams accountable to agreed development timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Ensure that new product introductions are aligned with portfolio strategy and commercial objectives.
• Define, monitor, and report on key portfolio KPIs, including:
• New product introduction timelines
• R&D investment allocation and effectiveness
• Revenue growth and gross margin performance
• Take corrective actions where performance deviates from plan, including reprioritization of projects and resource reallocation.