Senior Sales Engineer (Machine Vision & Optics)

Senior Sales Engineer (Machine Vision & Optics)

Full-time, Permanent (Direct Hire)

Win complex OEM design-ins for custom optical lenses and solutions designed, assembled, and tested in the U.S. 

Role highlights

• Location: San Diego, CA (On-site)

• Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent (Direct Hire)

• Compensation: $95,000 – $105,000/year base salary + performance bonus and commission

• Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

• Schedule: Monday – Friday, on-site with up to 25% travel

About the role

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.

What you’ll do

• 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.

What you bring

Required qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred experience:

• 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.

Compensation

The expected base range for this role is $95,000 – $105,000 per year, based on experience, qualifications, and job-related factors. Final compensation will be determined during the selection process and may vary accordingly.

Additionally, you will be eligible for a performance bonus on managed accounts and a commission structure on new business you win, so your earnings grow with your results.

Benefits & perks

• 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

About our client

Our client designs and manufactures precision lenses and camera solutions for companies worldwide. Design, testing, and assembly happen in-house under an ISO 9001 quality system, and every lens is individually tested before shipping. Recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., the company is scaling, and this is a chance to join as an early employee.

About The Offer Club

The Offer Club is a recruiting services partner for small and mid-sized businesses in San Diego, California. We connect businesses building something great with the people who make them better.

This role is managed by The Offer Club on behalf of our client. · Questions? Email jobs@offerclubpartners.com. · offerclubpartners.com · (619) 289-8636

Equal Opportunity

The Offer Club and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.