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.
Acting with delegated authority from OCTO, the PLM provides cross-BU portfolio leadership to ensure alignment with Thorlabs' corporate strategy, including the "Own the Laser Lab" initiative. The role requires balancing local BU priorities with global portfolio optimization, ensuring resources are directed toward the highest-impact opportunities.
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 these following locations; Jessup, MD, Newton, NJ, Ann Arbor, MI or Layfette, 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.
RequirementsExperience: 10 years of photonics or test & measurement industry experience, with 3 years in product management.
Education: Master's degree in Photonics or a related filed.
Specialized Knowledge and Skills:• Experienced with data research tools like PowerBI, Google Analytics, Sales Cubes
• Experience in enterprise scale ERP systems like D365
• Fluent in MS CRM
• Demonstrated strong business acumen though practice or formal education
Direct Reports: None
The estimated pay range for this role is $110,000 - $ 150,000 annuallyBenefitsThorlabs 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.
