Find the optics and photonics career that matches you.

Senior Sales Manager – Photonics Systems & Instruments

NJ based, 180-250k compensation pkg

Engaged Search, October 2026

About Our Client

Our client is a globally recognized photonics pioneer with nearly 50 years of industry leadership and innovation. Known for blending exceptional technical mastery with commercial vision, they specialize in engineering state-of-the-art tunable lasers, advanced optical test instruments, and precision imaging systems. Their core proprietary technologies—spanning LCOS liquid crystal systems, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)—power critical applications worldwide. Backed by a strong international presence and a commitment to rapid commercialization, they provide high-performance solutions for customers and applications across communications, biomedical engineering, AI/datacenters, and semiconductor processing.

Why This Role Matters

This role has a direct path to leadership of the US Organization. As our client’s Senior Sales Manager, you will be the driving force behind expanding our high-impact photonics instruments and systems portfolio. This is a highly visible, strategic Business Development (BD) role with nationwide scope. You won’t just manage accounts—you will act as a pivotal organizational leader, taking on the responsibility to manage, support, and develop two Sales Managers and the 4–5 sales team members operating under them.

If you are an entrepreneurial sales leader who thrives at the intersection of complex optical engineering, aggressive nationwide business growth, business leadership and people-first leadership, this role offers the platform, autonomy, and financial upside to elevate your career.

Where You’ll Be Based & Travel Scope

• Location: This position is based in New Jersey, offering some flexibility.
• Territory Scope: Fully nationwide. You will manage and scale business across the entire United States.
• Travel Expectations: Active national travel to interface with key clients, attend major industry trade shows, and visit regional offices. Occasional international travel is required to collaborate with our parent company headquarters in Japan / Asia.

What You Will Achieve

People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Leadership: Direct, mentor, and support two Sales Managers, empowering them to effectively lead their respective territories and hit commercial milestones.
• Uplift the Frontline: Provide high-level guidance, coaching, and strategic support to the 4–5 frontline sales representatives, instilling a culture of high performance and strict accountability.
• Drive Execution: Establish team priorities, pipeline expectations, and KPIs aligned with company revenue goals, conducting regular reviews to ensure deal progression and optimal resource allocation.
• Support Talent Growth: Partner with executive leadership and HR on performance management, continuous technical onboarding, and long-term succession planning.

Business Development & Nationwide Expansion

• Drive Strategic Growth: Own and execute aggressive sales plans to capture market share across core U.S. sectors, including AI infrastructure, datacenters, telecommunications, medical devices, semiconductor, industrial sensing, and advanced research.
• Hunt & Convert: Proactively identify, qualify, and close new business opportunities across the country, transforming cold prospects into high-value, long-term commercial partnerships.
• Lead Complex Sales Cycles: Navigate sophisticated, multi-layered technical sales cycles from initial discovery and custom system scoping through final contract negotiation.

Strategic Account & System Management

• Advise Executive Partners: Act as the trusted technical and commercial advisor for key accounts, aligning our advanced instruments and system capabilities with their long-term product roadmaps.
• Deliver Tailored Solutions: Partner closely with internal engineering and product teams to translate complex customer challenges into profitable, customized hardware and system solutions.
• Own the Deal Lifecycle: Lead high-stakes pricing, contract positioning, and commercial terms negotiations to ensure win-win outcomes.

What You Bring to the Team

Required Experience

• Industry Domain Expertise: At least 3+ years of successful sales experience explicitly within the photonics industry.
• Systems & Instruments Background: Proven experience selling optical/photonics test equipment, complex optical systems, lasers, fiber optics, imaging systems, or related high-end components.
• People Management Track Record: Direct experience managing and developing sales professionals, with the capability to manage other managers and drive accountability across a multi-tiered team. Experience running a business a plus.
• BD Track Record: A documented history of developing business, meeting or exceeding aggressive sales targets and driving net-new revenue.
• Educational Foundation: A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Optics, Photonics, or a closely related technical discipline.

Preferred Advantages

• An established professional network within the photonics, photonics test equipment, semiconductor, or biotech industries.
• Experience managing multi-tiered key accounts or specialized distributor networks.
• An MBA or an advanced technical degree.

What’s In It For You?

Compensation

• Total Compensation Package: $180,000–$250,000 per year
• Package Structure: This competitive package is comprised of base salary, incentive compensation, and a bonus/profit sharing structure aligned with your nationwide and leadership achievements.

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Plan with Company Matching
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Life, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Continuous Professional Development and Global Industry Training Opportunities

Work Authorization

• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

RA’s client is an Equal Opportunity Employer.