Sr. Technical Sales Specialist - Supervisor

Coherent; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent is seeking a Technical Sales Specialist to provide technical leadership across Coherent’s global sales organization. You will translate customer requirements into clear guidance for Engineering and Product Management, support quotations and product design, and coordinate long‑term quality initiatives with customers.

You will mentor the Technical Sales Specialists, engage with end customers, and drive market opportunities while maintaining strong customer relationships through proactive

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Science or Engineering required.
• 5–10 years of technical sales experience in optics, lasers, or electro‑optics industries.
• Ability to translate customer requirements into actionable guidance for Engineering, Product Management, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; proven leadership and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and high‑level support to assigned key accounts.
• Partner with end customers, Account Managers, and internal teams to align solutions with customer needs.
• Develop product specifications for quotations, manufacturing and specialty designs (pre‑ and post‑sales).
• Coordinate long‑term quality initiatives between customers and Coherent.
• Lead internal product training and knowledge sharing across business units.

Skills

Technical sales

Customer requirements

Product training

Communication skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Presentations

Mentoring

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Education

BA/BS in Science or Engineering

Job description

• Provides technical support and leadership throughout Coherent’s global sales organization, including preliminary feasibility assessments and design support.
• Translates customer requirements and specifications into clear technical guidance for Engineering, Product Management, and other internal stakeholders.
• Supports the development of product specifications for quotations, manufacturing, and specialty product designs, including pre-sales and post-sales activities.
• Co­ordinates long‑term quality‑improvement initiatives between customers and Coherent.
• Provides technical leadership and high‑level support to assigned key accounts by working directly with end customers, Key Account Managers, Account Managers, and internal support functions.
• Maintains strong customer relationships and a high level of customer engagement through professional, timely, and effective communication.
• Serves as the primary technical interface between Sales, Product Management, and Engineering.
• Advises Key Account Managers and Account Managers on customers with complex or challenging technical requirements.
• Leads internal product training and knowledge‑sharing activities focused on assigned business units and product lines.
• Supports business units and product lines in evaluating mid‑term and long‑term market demand, growth opportunities, and market potential.
• Provides input to business‑unit and product‑line budgeting activities and five‑year strategic planning processes.
• Leads, mentors, and develops Technical Sales Specialists to promote consistent technical support, customer engagement, and alignment with business objectives.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides technical support and leadership throughout Coherent’s global sales organization, including preliminary feasibility assessments and design support.
• Translates customer requirements and specifications into clear technical guidance for Engineering, Product Management, and other internal stakeholders.
• Supports the development of product specifications for quotations, manufacturing, and specialty product designs, including pre‑sales and post‑sales activities.
• Co­ordinates long‑term quality‑improvement initiatives between customers and Coherent.
• Provides technical leadership and high‑level support to assigned key accounts by working directly with end customers, Key Account Managers, Account Managers, and internal support functions.
• Maintains strong customer relationships and a high level of customer engagement through professional, timely, and effective communication.
• Serves as the primary technical interface between Sales, Product Management, and Engineering.
• Advises Key Account Managers and Account Managers on customers with complex or challenging technical requirements.
• Leads internal product training and knowledge‑sharing activities focused on assigned business units and product lines.
• Supports business units and product lines in evaluating mid‑term and long‑term market demand, growth opportunities, and market potential.
• Provides input to business‑unit and product‑line budgeting activities and five‑year strategic planning processes.
• Leads, mentors, and develops Technical Sales Specialists to promote consistent technical support, customer engagement, and alignment with business objectives.

Education & Experience

BA/BS degree in Science or Engineering; Background in Physics, Optics, Lasers, Electro-Optics, or Photonics.

5-10 years of technical sales experience in an Optics, Lasers, or Electro-Optics related industry.

Skills & Other Requirements

• Ability to understand customer applications, business challenges, needs, and opportunities and support the development of effective solutions.
• Provides product‑application support to the global sales organization and external customers.
• Provides architectural direction and technical guidance to sales and pre‑sales teams.
• Maintains awareness of emerging technologies, market trends, and operational developments relevant to assigned business units and product lines.
• Ability to gather, evaluate, and apply technical, operational, sales, and marketing information to support sound business decisions.
• Demonstrated innovation, collaboration, team leadership, accountability, and successful execution.
• Demonstrates passion, initiative, persistence, creativity, and accountability within the Technical Sales Team.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to understand complex business processes and data, make independent decisions, and implement effective solutions.
• Proven ability to communicate technically complex information clearly to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise.
• Ability to build and maintain strong business relationships with internal and external customers.
• Collaborates effectively with Engineering, Manufacturing, Product Management, Marketing, and Sales during product‑development activities.
• Recommend product enhancements and updates to support new business opportunities and evolving customer requirements.
• Supports the development of sales and marketing strategies that promote profitable growth.
• Contributes to the development of pricing strategies and guidelines for new product development.
• Serves as a technical resource, mentor, and leader to the global sales organization and Technical Sales Specialist team.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving, decision‑making, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing business conditions, evolving technologies, and new responsibilities.
• Ability to achieve results independently and through effective collaboration with others.
• Identifies, recommends, and implements process and business improvements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities involving internal teams, customers, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross‑functional, cross‑cultural, and global team environment.
• Handles special assignments promptly, professionally, and with appropriate follow‑through.
• Demonstrates a high standard of ethics, professionalism, leadership, technical competency, and accountability.
• Willingness and ability to travel as necessary to meet business objectives.

Working Conditions

This position is based in an office/hybrid work environment.

Ability to work outside normal business hours and travel as needed to support customers, internal teams, and business objectives.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication.
• Ability to read and interpret information displayed on computer screens and in printed materials.
• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout an office or manufacturing environment.
• Ability to occasionally lift or carry materials weighing up to 10–20 pounds, as required.
• Ability to travel to customer, supplier, and company locations as needed.
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and COHERENT Corporate EHS standards.

Quality & Environmental Responsibilities

This position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

• Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
• Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
• Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
• Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
• Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have read the Job Description and fully understand the requirements set forth therein. I understand that this Job Description is not all-inclusive, and that I will be responsible for performing other duties as assigned. I further understand that this Job Description does not constitute an employment contract. I further understand that Coherent is an At-Will employer, and that my employment may be terminated by the Company or by myself at any time, and that such termination may occur with or without cause or notice.

Employee Signature

Signature of the employee assigned to this job description

Date

Ideally, a job description should be reviewed annually and updated as often

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard‑work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!