Director of Sales

Aperture Optical Sciences Inc.; Meriden (CT); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Aperture Optical Sciences (AOS) is seeking a strategic and technically savvy Director of Sales to drive revenue growth across space-based imaging and fusion energy optics markets. Reporting to the President/CEO, this executive will shape short- and long-range sales plans and personally engage in high-value business development.

The role leads a global sales and applications engineering team, overseeing the full lifecycle from market visibility to contract award, and building executive

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a STEM discipline.
• Extensive experience in the precision optics industry, preferably in aerospace and/or fusion energy sectors.
• Demonstrated expertise in optics manufacturing and performance specifications.
• Proven record of technical publications (conference or journal papers preferred).
• Experience with CRM platforms such as Salesforce.
• Established global network and demonstrated success building long-term strategic customer relationships.
• Strong commercial negotiation and contract development experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic marketing and sales plans to achieve corporate revenue, profitability, and market share objectives.
• Direct sales forecasting activities and establish performance goals aligned with corporate strategy.
• Oversee market research efforts and adjust strategy to evolving competitive landscapes.
• Meet directly with key clients to negotiate, close, and expand strategic relationships.
• Build and lead a high-performing sales and applications engineering team.
• Represent AOS at conferences, trade events, and industry forums.
• Oversee development of compelling proposals addressing technical solutions, quality assurance, schedule, and value.
• Coordinate customer communications, including project status updates and issue resolution related to quality or commercial terms.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Revenue growth

Business development

Customer engagements

Sales leadership

Education

Advanced degree in STEM

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Aperture Optical Sciences (AOS) is seeking a strategic and technically sophisticated Director of Sales to lead revenue growth across our space-based imaging and fusion energy optics markets. Reporting directly to the President/CEO, this executive-level role is responsible for planning and executing both short- and long-range sales strategies while personally engaging in high-value business development activities.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Sales is expected to embody company values, provide market-driven strategic insight, and lead by example in cultivating a high-performance, customer-focused culture. This individual will oversee the full sales lifecycle—from market visibility and opportunity development through proposal generation, negotiation, and contract award—while building and leading a world-class sales and applications engineering team.

The AOS Sales Process

Sales at AOS is consultative, technical, and solution-driven. It begins with establishing visible industry leadership through trade shows, publications, digital outreach, and strategic engagement. Opportunities are assessed for business viability and technical fit. Converting customer requests into funded programs requires discovery, education, and collaborative solution development.

Scope definition includes cost estimation, historical comparative analysis, and competitive positioning. Proposals are comprehensive, addressing deliverables, quality standards, technical performance, and value proposition. Closing activities include follow-up meetings, negotiations, and purchase order execution.

The Director of Sales owns and continuously improves this process.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Revenue Growth

• Develop and implement strategic marketing and sales plans to achieve corporate revenue, profitability, and market share objectives.
• Direct sales forecasting activities and establish performance goals aligned with corporate strategy.
• Achieve targeted profit/loss ratios and market share objectives in alignment with industry and economic conditions.
• Oversee market research efforts and adjust strategy to evolving competitive landscapes.
• Monitor competitor products, positioning, and commercial strategies.

Business Development & Customer Engagement

• Solicit and process customer RFQs; develop scope of work, pricing strategies, and delivery commitments that drive order conversion.
• Meet directly with key clients to negotiate, close, and expand strategic relationships.
• Build and nurture executive-level relationships within key space and fusion energy organizations.
• Establish and maintain relationships with industry influencers, strategic partners, and trade associations.
• Represent AOS at conferences, trade events, and industry forums.

Proposal & Commercial Execution

• Oversee development of compelling proposals addressing technical solutions, quality assurance, schedule, and value.
• Coordinate customer communications, including project status updates and issue resolution related to quality or commercial terms.
• Ensure accurate pricing strategies based on cost analysis, competitive intelligence, and historical precedent.
• Review and analyze sales performance relative to quotes, programs, and forecasts to assess effectiveness.

Marketing & Brand Leadership

• Direct advertising and promotional initiatives across print, online, electronic media, and direct outreach.
• Develop product positioning, pricing strategies, and messaging to maximize long-term market share.
• Ensure consistent corporate branding across product lines, communications, and events.

Organizational Leadership

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing sales and applications engineering team.
• Direct staffing, training, and performance evaluations within the department.
• Organize and lead regular sales meetings with representatives and channel partners.

Supervisory Responsibility

This role is responsible for building and managing the Sales and Applications Engineering organization, including hiring, performance management, coaching, and strategic direction.

Position Type & Travel

• Full-time, on-site position
• Minimum 40 hours per week
• Significant travel required (domestic and international)
• Occasional evening and weekend commitments to support customer and business needs

Experience & Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a STEM discipline
• Extensive experience in the precision optics industry, preferably in aerospace and/or fusion energy sectors
• Demonstrated expertise in optics manufacturing and performance specifications
• Proven record of prior technical publications (conference or journal papers preferred)
• Experience with CRM platforms such as Salesforce
• Established global network and demonstrated success building long-term strategic customer relationships
• Strong commercial negotiation and contract development experience