Sales Engineer

Photon Kinetics, Inc; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Photon Kinetics, Inc. is seeking a Sales Engineer to provide technical sales leadership across regions, translating customer needs into winning fiber optic measurement solutions.

You will work with regional sales teams, engineers, and channel partners to qualify opportunities, deliver demonstrations, and shape proposals that drive orders and revenue. The role requires deep knowledge of photonics and fiber optics, strong communication with technical and executive audiences, and travel up to 50%

Qualifications

• BS in physics, EE, optics or equivalent
• 3+ years in sales engineering, technical sales, or applications engineering with channel partners
• 5+ years in photonics, fiber optic, or optical communications industry
• Strong written and verbal communication for technical and executive audiences
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 50% of the time

Responsibilities

• Lead technical strategy and demonstrations to support regional and global sales objectives
• Build and maintain relationships with executives and engineers at strategic accounts and partners
• Coordinate with Engineering, Applications, Marketing and Support to ensure a seamless customer experience and accurate forecasting

Skills

Technical sales

Customer engagement

Communication skills

Travel availability

Education

BS in physics, EE, optics

Tools

Optical test equipment knowledge

Job description

Photon Kinetics is the world’s trusted standard in optical fiber testing and measurement solutions. For more than 40 years, our instruments have helped fiber and cable manufacturers deliver the performance that enables high-speed communication networks around the globe. 95% of the world’s optical fiber has been tested using our equipment. As the world moves deeper into AI-driven computing and hyperscale data centers, the demand for precise measurement and reliable optical infrastructure continues to grow. Photon Kinetics is applying its expertise in measurement science, automation, and precision systems to help build the connectivity backbone that powers the next generation of data and AI technologies.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Sales Engineer provides technical sales leadership in support of Photon Kinetics' global sales organization. Working across regions as needed, you will partner with regional sales managers, representatives, and distribution partners to win new business, drive order growth, and bring the voice of the customer back to the company. This role requires someone who understands the fiber optic and photonics industry, builds strong relationships with technical buyers, and can translate customer requirements and market intelligence into winning solutions and actionable product direction. You will serve as a technical bridge between customers worldwide and Engineering, Applications, Technical Support, and Marketing at headquarters. As the world moves deeper into AI-driven computing and hyperscale data centers, the demand for precise measurement and reliable optical infrastructure continues to grow. This is a high-visibility role with direct influence on product direction and business strategy at a company whose equipment has tested 95% of the world’s optical fiber.

WHAT YOU WILL ACHIEVE IN YEAR ONE

• Drive Technical Wins That Support the Global Order Plan: Partner with regional sales teams and channel partners to qualify opportunities, lead technical discussions, and deliver demonstrations and proposals that convert pipeline into orders. Contribute to accurate forecasting through clear technical assessment of opportunities.
• Strengthen Key Customer and Channel Relationships: Deepen technical engagement with strategic accounts and appointed representatives worldwide. Establish Photon Kinetics as the preferred partner through consistent technical credibility and responsive service.
• Deliver Actionable Market Intelligence: Provide leadership with clear, data-driven insight into global market trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging customer needs—especially around next-generation fiber applications and AI/datacenter growth—to inform product roadmap and go-to-market decisions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Sales Strategy & Execution

• Support regional sales plans with technical strategy aligned to corporate objectives
• Contribute to order plan achievement by supporting both direct sales and indirect channel partners
• Provide technical input on opportunity status to support accurate, timely order forecasts
• Identify and pursue opportunities with both active buyers and passive prospects across the fiber, cable, and component manufacturing landscape
• Lead product demonstrations, technical presentations, and solution proposals tailored to customer requirements

Customer & Channel Management

• Build and maintain relationships with executives and engineers at strategic customer accounts worldwide
• Train and support appointed representatives and distribution partners so they can cover the market effectively
• Serve as a technical point of contact for key accounts, providing technical credibility and commercial responsiveness
• Provide input into new product direction based on direct customer feedback and observations of the global marketplace
• Participate with senior leadership in establishing strategic plans and corporate objectives
• Monitor competitive activity and industry trends to inform pricing, positioning, and product development

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Applications Engineering, Technical Support, and Order Administration to ensure seamless customer experience
• Coordinate with Marketing on campaigns, trade shows, technical content, and customer engagement initiatives
• Ensure compliance with all company quality policies, procedures, and work instructions

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in physics, EE, optics, or equivalent combination of technical education and industry experience
• 3+ years of experience in sales engineering, technical sales, or applications engineering, including working with channel partners
• 5+ years of experience in the photonics, fiber optic, or optical communications industry
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and executive audiences
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to 50% of the time

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience selling capital equipment or precision instrumentation to manufacturing environments
• Established relationships with fiber and cable manufacturers
• Familiarity with Photon Kinetics products or comparable optical test and measurement systems
• Experience working in or closely with a headquarters-based product organization from a remote or regional office
• Proficiency in a second language (e.g., Spanish, Portuguese, or Mandarin)

WHY THIS ROLE IS DIFFERENT

• Global scope: work with customers and partners worldwide at a time of significant growth driven by AI and datacenter expansion
• Close collaboration with senior leadership, so your market intelligence directly shapes product and business decisions
• Represent the global standard in optical fiber testing: 95% of the world’s fiber is tested on PK equipment
• A company with 40+ years of technical reputation where relationships and expertise are valued over transactional selling

WHY JOIN PHOTON KINETICS

You’ll work on technologies that enable the next wave of AI and data center innovation. At Photon Kinetics, you’ll join a highly skilled, collaborative team where your contributions directly impact the products and relationships that connect the world. You’ll have visibility and influence in a company recognized globally for engineering excellence, precision, and trusted performance. We value different perspectives and problem-solving approaches. The best solutions come from teams that think differently.