Business Development Engineer

Syntec Optics•Rochester, NY

About The Position

Syntec Optics is seeking a Business Development Engineer to drive growth by identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities within the precision optics and photonics markets. This role bridges engineering and sales, working closely with customers, internal engineering, and operations to translate customer requirements into manufacturable solutions. The ideal candidate combines strong technical understanding of optical manufacturing with the ability to build long-term customer relationships.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
3–7 years of experience in optics manufacturing, engineering, or technical sales.
Working knowledge of precision optical fabrication, coating, and metrology.
Ability to read and interpret optical and mechanical drawings and specifications.
Strong communication and presentation skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Proven ability to manage multiple opportunities and priorities simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

Experience in business development or applications engineering within an optics or photonics company.
Familiarity with defense and aerospace customer requirements (ITAR, quality standards, etc.).
Experience with ERP/CRM systems and quoting processes.
Understanding of optical design principles and tolerancing.

Responsibilities

Identify and pursue new business opportunities in commercial, defense, aerospace, medical, and industrial optics markets.
Develop and manage a pipeline of prospective customers and programs.
Serve as a technical liaison during the sales process, understanding customer needs and proposing optimized optical solutions.
Prepare and deliver technical presentations, proposals, and quotations in collaboration with engineering and operations.
Support contract negotiations and contribute to pricing strategy aligned with company objectives.
Represent Syntec Optics at customer visits, trade shows, and industry events.
Create and maintain a Gantt chart for all opportunities including leads, quotes, PO, and new product introduction.
Review customer drawings, specifications, and statements of work to assess technical feasibility.
Collaborate with optical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers to develop cost-effective, manufacturable solutions.
Support new product introductions and transitions from proposal to production.
Provide feedback to internal teams on market trends, customer requirements, and competitive landscape.
Build and maintain strong relationships with customers throughout the program lifecycle.
Act as a primary point of contact for technical and commercial discussions.
Ensure customer expectations are clearly communicated and met.