Laser Sales Manager – Photonics & Quantum Technologies

Iris Scientific•Rochester, NY

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Iris Scientific is seeking an experienced Laser Sales Manager for a world-leading manufacturer of advanced laser systems to join their growing North American commercial team in Rochester, NY. This is a technical sales role with significant scientific depth and earning potential. The company's laser systems are crucial for leading quantum computing, optical clock, and precision measurement programs, with demand increasing as quantum efforts transition from academic to commercial and government sectors. The customer base includes principal investigators at research institutions and national labs, as well as engineering and procurement teams at quantum and semiconductor companies. The sales process is consultative, focusing on matching system specifications like linewidth, stability, and power to demanding applications within multi-stakeholder sales cycles. The company offers a strong commercial platform with a market-leading product line in a fast-growing photonics vertical, multi-million dollar territory potential, existing demand, and an uncapped commission plan. Travel is expected to be around 25-30%. This role is ideal for someone who wants to leverage their science background commercially, is motivated by owning a territory and sales targets, and wants to be involved in the advancement of quantum technology.

Requirements

2+ years of demonstrated sales experience in photonics, lasers, optics, or scientific instrumentation - you have carried a territory, account base, or quota and can speak to your results.
Degree in physics, photonics, optics, chemistry, engineering, or a closely related physical sciences field; an advanced degree (MSc or PhD) is preferred but not required.
Experience selling to research-driven customers - universities, national labs, government programs, or technical/scientific buyers - strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to bridge scientific consulting and commercial value selling, with exceptional presentation skills.
Highly organized, with strong CRM discipline and data literacy.
Based within regular reach of Rochester, NY, or willing to relocate (relocation support available); fully remote arrangements are not available.
Willingness to travel approximately 25–30% to customer sites across North America and periodically to Europe.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree (MSc or PhD) is preferred but not essential.
Direct quantum experience is a genuine plus, not a gate.
Exposure to quantum, AMO physics, or precision-measurement customers is a genuine advantage, but not required; strong candidates from adjacent photonics and instrumentation markets are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Own the full sales lifecycle for a North American territory, including complex, multi-stakeholder sales cycles across academic, government, and commercial customers.
Build and manage a disciplined pipeline against annual booking and revenue targets, with proactive prospecting into new accounts and programs.
Act as the primary liaison between customer requirements and the company's engineering capabilities, identifying new opportunities and applications across the quantum and precision-measurement ecosystem.
Travel to customer sites to demonstrate product capabilities, proving that system specifications - linewidth, stability, power - meet the demands of specific applications.
Work with leadership to shape North American sales strategy, using market data to identify emerging opportunities as quantum programs scale from research to deployment.
Gather insight on emerging scientific trends and competitor activity to help shape the future product roadmap.
Commit to continuous technical learning, including training visits to the European headquarters.