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
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent:
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 UsCoherent 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!Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering
- Background in Physics, Optics, Lasers, Electro-Optics, or Photonics
- 5–10 years of technical sales experience in an optics, laser, or electro-optics-related industry
- Ability to understand customer applications and develop effective technical solutions
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to communicate complex technical information to audiences with varying expertise
- Experience leading, mentoring, and developing technical sales personnel
- Ability to collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Product Management, Marketing, and Sales
- Willingness and ability to travel as needed
Coherent Corp. Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Coherent Corp. and has not been reviewed or approved by Coherent Corp..
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare Strength: Health coverage includes multiple national and region-specific options (UHC HDHP/HSA, PPO, EPO; Kaiser in CA; Health Net in OR) plus separate dental (Delta Dental) and vision (VSP), indicating strong breadth and choice. This breadth supports a solid total package in certain roles and locations.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity Value & Accessibility: An Employee Stock Purchase Plan allows buying shares at 85% of market price with contributions up to 10% of pay, expanding ownership access. This feature can materially bolster total rewards even when base pay is mid‑pack.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Leave & Time Off Breadth: Paid time off includes 15 vacation days for new hires, 10 paid holidays, and additional paid time during a December shutdown. This structure provides a clear and competitive baseline for time away from work.
Coherent Corp. Insights
What We Do
Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit us at coherent.com.
