Senior Sales Engineer (Machine Vision & Optics)
About The Position
Our client, a growing precision optics manufacturer, is seeking an experienced Senior Sales Engineer (Machine Vision & Optics) in San Diego to expand their global OEM customer base. You’ll be the technical advisor, prospector, and account owner to engineering and program teams building machine- and computer-vision systems for robotics, autonomous vehicles, defense, aerospace, medical devices, and more. You’ll own complex, end-to-end technical sales cycles from lead identification to design-in and production, working directly with the CEO on custom lens and camera solution designs for companies ranging from fast-growing startups to enterprise, household brands. As a senior member of a small sales team, your experience with long, multi-stakeholder deals will have a real impact on how the business grows, and you’ll see the lenses you recommend in real-world products.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optics, Physics, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.
- 5+ years in technical sales, sales engineering, or applications engineering for engineered hardware or physical products.
- Experience selling optical solutions into OEM engineering and procurement teams through long, technical sales cycles.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical trade-offs clearly to engineers, program managers, and buyers.
- A consultative approach: you’d rather understand the customer’s problem than pitch a product.
Nice To Haves
- Experience selling into defense, aerospace, or government contractor programs.
- Background in optics, optical design, or digital imaging systems.
- Track record of winning design-ins with OEM customers.
- Experience with HubSpot as a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool.
Responsibilities
- Find, qualify, and win new OEM accounts across high-growth machine vision markets, including defense and aerospace.
- Lead long, multi-stakeholder sales cycles with engineering, program, and procurement teams, from early technical discovery through production.
- Gather and assess customer requirements like resolution, field of view, and environmental durability to recommend lens and camera solutions.
- Partner with internal engineering to design custom optical solutions.
- Build long-term relationships with strategic accounts.
- Prepare proposals and quotes, manage orders, and ensure accounts transition smoothly into production.
- Represent the company at industry trade shows like SPIE, Automate, and VISION, and visit customers on-site.
Benefits
- Company-sponsored medical, dental, and vision plans
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Life insurance
- 401(k) with up to a 4% company match
- Paid company holidays, vacation time (PTO), and paid sick time
- On-site gym and golf simulator
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Associate degree
