Systems Engineering 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 Systems Engineering Manager role utilizes extensive hands-on experience in designing, building, and supporting resilient cutting-edge systems (Compute/Storage/Backups) and data center technologies to support our on-premises and cloud-based systems infrastructure. The position will manage the systems engineering team in United States and work closely with systems engineers globally. The role is responsible for monitoring, analysis, reporting that can help organization plan expansion, scalability, and upgrades. This role will help Global IT team with vendors, contract, cost managements as it relates to system architecture. The systems engineering is referred to both on-premises and cloud-based systems.

Although the location of the position is in Newton, NJ or Jessup, MD, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations.

Essential Job Functions include, but are not limited to:

• Manage day to day activity of IT Systems and Systems Engineering team.
• Review current Systems Architecture design and documentation.
• Support and maintain existing systems architecture.
• Develop plans for upgrades, expansions, and improvement of the existing systems architecture.
• Design and implement highly available and redundant Systems Architecture.
• Troubleshoot issues related to systems architecture across platform as it relates to applications and services.
• Escalate and manage issues with hardware, services and vendors.
• Work with local/remote teams to support the delivery, deployment, and operation of systems and services.
• Proactive development of monitoring solutions for systems architecture.
• Ensure security standards, practices, and policies are incorporated into all systems architecture.
• Develop around the clock support schedule and team for systems architecture.
• Develop training plan and documentation for Systems Engineering team.
• Design and develop automation to reduce failures, manual tasks and therefore improving overall service performance, stability, and availability.
• Develop reports and dashboards that can help with cost management of cloud services and budgets.

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.

Physical Activities: This is largely a sedentary role; however, it may require the ability to lift, bend or stand as necessary. The employee may occasionally lift or move objects up to 45 pounds.

Requirements:
Experience:

• 10+ years of experience of strong enterprise-level system administration and engineering.
• 3+ years of proven work experience designing, deploying and managing enterprise-class cloud systems (Azure/AWS/Google etc.).
• 3+ years of experience managing network and system engineers working on various on-premises and cloud-based systems.
• 5+ years of technical experience configuring IS infrastructure and platforms.
• 5+ years of experience in NAS, SAN, technologies.
• 5+ years of experience with virtualization and datacenter technologies.
• 5+ years of knowledge of directory, policies and automation services.
• 5+ years of knowledge of clustering technologies as it related to databases.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or equivalent fields in IT.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience with data protection, retention and storage technologies.

• Experience with disaster recovery design and solutions.
• Experience with virtual desktop Infrastructure solutions (Citrix/AVD etc).
• Experience with implementing patch/update management solutions.
• Experience with system monitoring solution.
• Familiarity with of SAAS based systems design, development, and deployment.
• Consultative skills, including the ability to understand business requirements, identify risks and make recommendations for best practice design.
• The ability to document and conduct knowledge transfer to internal staff.
• Solid project management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication skills both verbal and written.
• Self-starter requiring minimal supervision.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing priorities and requirements.
• Experience with standard change management and configuration policies.

Other: • Occasional weekend maintenance.

Pay range for this position is $111,0000 - $154,000 depending on experience

Organizational Relationships Direct Reports: • Systems Engineers.

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified individuals 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..