Optical Applications Engineering Manager

Job Title: Optical Applications Engineering Manager

Location: North Sutton, NH, (Onsite, with flexibility for some remote work)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $160,000 - $180,000 Salary

Company Introduction

This role is with a manufacturer headquartered in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. The company designs and manufactures light measurement systems, integrating spheres, reflectance materials, optical calibration solutions, and specialty light sources used across aerospace and defense, automotive, LED and lighting, medical device, image sensors, telecom, and industrial photonic markets worldwide.

The company is in an active growth and transformation phase. The Vice President of Operations will be central to building that operational rigor, leading change without disruption, and blending the global footprint into a single coordinated manufacturing operation.

Role Overview

The Optical Applications Engineering Manager leads a team of four onsite and remote Optical Engineers and reports to the VP Engineering. This is a hands-on technical leadership role focused on solving customers' toughest challenges. You will work with Sales, Marketing, and Engineering to develop system designs through analysis and empirical methods, with estimated costs, to meet customer requirements and specifications, and you will perform advanced troubleshooting of customer issues across the applications the company serves.

The role sits between customers and the product organization. You will continuously review existing product applications and feed market and competitive intelligence back to Marketing, Sales, and Engineering, aid in the marketing and sales of the company's products through professional interaction with colleagues and customers, and lead the planning and development of advanced training and support tools. You will also enhance the company's corporate presence by presenting training seminars, attending market trade shows, and participating in industry conferences.

The ideal candidate gets bored doing the same thing, is driven by solving problems and learning new technology in diverse markets, and brings deep photonics experience together with the interpersonal and technical writing skills required for intensive interaction with customers and colleagues. Because the work is integrated with company hardware, the role is on-site with flexibility for some remote work.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of four onsite and remote Optical Engineers
• Work with Sales, Marketing, and Engineering to develop system designs through analysis and empirical methods, with estimated costs, to meet customer requirements and specifications
• Perform advanced troubleshooting of customer issues concerning the applications the company serves
• Develop market knowledge of LED performance, advancements, and applications
• Aid in the marketing and sales of the company's products through professional interaction with colleagues and customers
• Lead the planning and development of advanced training and support tools
• Maintain strong relationships with other departments to enhance company research and development of products requiring specialized expertise
• Continuously review existing product applications and provide market feedback to Marketing, Sales, and Engineering
• Stay informed of competitive products and communicate pertinent information throughout the company as required
• Enhance the company's corporate presence through training seminars, market trade shows, and industry conferences

Required Background

• Bachelor, Master, or Ph.D. technical degree from a four-year accredited college, with a desire for continuous learning
• Photonics experience in any of the following areas: optics, radiometry, photometry, color science, imaging devices, remote sensing, sensor design, electronics, electro-optics, integrating sphere design, LEDs, lasers
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills required for intensive interaction with customers and other employees
• Advanced technical writing ability
• Ability to act as a technical leader through independent planning and execution of projects
• Demonstrated leadership as a technical expert, group lead, or manager, with the ability to lead a team of engineers
• Ability to participate in independent travel of approximately 10% and maintain flexibility in working hours
• Lives within commuting distance of central New Hampshire or has documented willingness to relocate; the role is on-site with flexibility for some remote work
• Prior people management experience over engineers in a photonics, optics, or test and measurement environment (Preferred)

Compensation & Perks

• Base Salary: $160,000 - $180,000 based on experience
• Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability, and retirement plan
• High-visibility role with real impact on company's core product platforms
• Career development, networking, and advancement opportunities across the parent group of companies worldwide