Vice President, Counter Laser & Directed Energy

Valid8 Financial, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision benefits

401(k) match

Equity opportunity

Job summary

Cambium, based in El Segundo, California, seeks a Vice President, Counter Laser & Directed Energy, to lead dual-use optical materials development for critical defense programs. Own the full optics lifecycle—from basic research to fielded products—and build a high-performing team of scientists and engineers while managing relationships with sponsors, prime contractors, and customers.

This senior role requires deep expertise in photonics, LEP, and directed energy, with a proven track record of

Qualifications

• 5+ years leading development and commercial transition of optical products.
• 3+ years managing government contracts (DoD, DARPA, or similar).
• US citizenship with ability to obtain security clearance.
• Master's or PhD strongly preferred.
• Excellent cross-functional communication across teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow optical materials R&D programs and set technical strategy.
• Manage government contracts and programs, ensuring milestones, budgets and deliverables.
• Oversee development of optical products from concept through production.
• Prioritize and resource optics-related efforts across programs.
• Align optics roadmap with Cambium's broader material strategy.

Skills

Photonics

LEP

Counter-Directed Energy

Optical materials

Coatings

Optical design

Fabrication

Leadership

Education

Master's or PhD

Job description

VICE PRESIDENT, Counter Laser & Directed Energy

Cambium is a global company building the advanced materials base for reindustrialization — from AI-driven molecular design to agile domestic manufacturing. Defense, aerospace, and other high-performance applications demand materials that are stronger, lighter, and more resilient, delivered at unprecedented speed and scale. Our team of world-class scientists and engineers was assembled specifically to take on those challenges. Whether enabling hypersonic flight or protecting critical systems, our solutions solve mission-critical problems and push the limits of what's possible. Come join us and revolutionize advanced materials for defense, aerospace, and beyond.

THE ROLE

Cambium is seeking a Vice President, Counter Laser & Directed Energy, to lead our dual-use optical materials technology and product development efforts in support of critical aviation, government, and defense programs. This role owns the full lifecycle of our optics business — from fundamental research into next-generation optical materials to the design, engineering, and delivery of fielded optical products. You will build and lead a team of scientists and engineers, and oversee relationships with government sponsors, prime contractors, and commercial customers, and set the technical and strategic direction for one of Cambium's core capability areas. This is a senior leadership position for someone who can operate equally well in the lab, the program review, and the boardroom.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and grow Cambium's optical materials research and development program, setting technical strategy across government-funded contracts and internal R&D initiatives that support LEP and counter-directed energy product commercialization.
• Resource and ensure successful execution of government contracts and programs involving optical materials, ensuring technical milestones, budgets, and deliverables are met.
• Oversee the development of optical products from concept through qualification and production.
• Prioritize and resource all Cambium optics-related efforts.
• Provide the resourcing and strategic guidance to support the LEP Program Manager-led commercial push for current and future form factors into government and non-government procurement channels to grow LEP revenues.
• Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of optical scientists, engineers, and technicians.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including proposal development and capture strategy for optics-related product and government solicitations.
• Partner with executive leadership to align optics strategy with Cambium's broader advanced materials roadmap.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Commercially relevant technical expertise in Photonics, Laser Eye Protection (LEP), and Counter-Directed Energy (DE), specifically deep technical expertise in optical materials, coatings, or optical system design and fabrication.
• 5+ years of experience leading the development and commercial transition of novel optical products from ideation, R&D, and regulatory compliance through to manufacturing scale-up, high-throughput manufacturing, and commercial sales to both military and non-military customers.
• Demonstrated success building coordinated, collaborative, and cohesive teamwork between commercial and technical teams
• 3+ years managing government contracts (e.g., DoD, DARPA, or other agency-funded programs).
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively not just with your team but across the organization, as well as with customers, investors, and other stakeholders.
• Master's or PhD degree strongly preferred.
• U.S. citizenship required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

SALARY/HOURLY: $200,000 – $250,000 annually BENEFITS: Cambium offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits plan. This includes excellent medical/dental/vision benefits, and a matching 401(k) plan, professional development reimbursement, and an opportunity for equity for most full-time positions.