Technical Business Development Manager
Full Time • Hybrid - US
Benefits:
- Opportunity for advancement
- Bonus based on performance
- Paid time off
About Us
Optopax is a Silicon Valley–based design and OEM manufacturing company delivering integrated AI imaging solutions—from concept through prototyping to production. We specialize in AI-enabled camera modules, precision optics spanning UV to LWIR, and custom embedded imaging systems powering applications in robotics, autonomous vehicles, submersible imaging, biomedical instrumentation, AR/VR, and optical computing.
Join our small, global team headquartered in San Jose, CA, and help us engineer the next generation of camera solutions that transform how machines see—through custom optics, advanced sensor integration, and embedded AI vision platforms.
About the Role
Optopax is seeking a Technical Business Development Manager with a strong technical foundation in optics and imaging systems (or adjacent technical areas) to help with strategic customer programs and long-term partnerships. Reporting to the VP of Sales & Marketing and working closely with executive leadership and engineering, this role offers the opportunity to operate at the center of cutting-edge optical innovation and commercial execution.
Optopax is seeking a Technical Business Development Manager with a strong technical foundation in optics and imaging systems (or adjacent technical areas) to help with strategic customer programs and long-term partnerships. Reporting to the VP of Sales & Marketing and working closely with executive leadership and engineering, this role offers the opportunity to operate at the center of cutting-edge optical innovation and commercial execution.
In this role, you will play a key role in the end-to-end business development lifecycle for complex, engineered optical and imaging solutions—shaping opportunities from early technical discovery through contract execution and delivery. You will work directly with customer technical teams, influence system-level trade-offs, and stay actively engaged through program execution to ensure successful outcomes.
This position is ideal for a technically fluent account manager who enjoys working in fast-moving, growth-oriented organizations, who thrives in driving things forward and values close collaboration with engineering, and takes pride in building durable customer relationships. As Optopax partners with customers on concept-defining technologies, you will play a key role in translating advanced optical capabilities into meaningful commercial impact.
The role is preferred to be in San Jose, CA, with a hybrid work model (2–3 days per week in office to support collaboration and customer engagement), and periodic travel to support key customer interactions. For the right candidate, we are open to this position being remote.
What success looks like in the first 90 days:
- Develop a clear understanding of Optopax’s technology stack, customer value propositions, and competitive positioning.
- Lead technical-commercial engagements through the full sales cycle, demonstrating fluency in optical and imaging system concepts.
- Advance a lead to contract or prototype phase to contract or prototype phase.
- Take the lead as the primary point of contact on at least 1 customer project that is already at contract execution stage.
What You’ll Do
- Drive forward end-to-end business development for complex optical and imaging programs—from early technical discovery and opportunity qualification through pricing, negotiation, and contract closure
- Lead technical–commercial engagements with customers, engaging directly with engineering teams to shape requirements, evaluate trade-offs, and position Optopax’s solutions effectively
- Serve as the primary customer-facing owner for strategic programs during execution, ensuring alignment with scope, milestones, and delivery expectations
- Partner closely with Optopax engineering leadership to translate customer needs into viable system architectures, prototypes, and production-ready solutions
- Drive engineering services and custom system sales, including NRE-based programs and multi-phase development engagements
- Maintain strong, trusted relationships with customer stakeholders across technical, commercial, and executive levels
- Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with OEMs, integrators, and ecosystem partners where they support long-term growth
- Represent Optopax professionally in customer meetings, technical reviews, and industry interactions
What You’ll Bring
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- Technical sales or business development experience in optics, imaging, photonics, sensors or camera systems (or adjacent technical areas who can quickly learn new technologies)
- Proven understanding full sales cycle, from discovery through contract close
- Experience selling engineered products and/or engineering services, including NRE-based programs
- Technical fluency in optical, optomechanical, or optoelectronic systems (e.g., camera modules, lenses, sensors) (or adjacent technical areas who can quickly learn new technologies)
- Ability to work closely with engineering and serve as a customer–technical bridge
- Experience operating in small organizations or startup environments
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with technical and executive audiences
- Ability to manage multiple opportunities and active programs simultaneously
- High degree of drive and bias for action with a results-oriented approach
- Willingness to travel as needed (up to ~25%)
Preferred
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Optics, Physics or related field (MBA, MSc, or similar)
- Established network in optics, photonics, or AI vision sectors.
- Familiarity with ISO standards, quality systems, and regulatory requirements
- Knowledge of optical design methods, optical manufacturing methods, and optical test stations.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work in a fast-paced, innovative environment
- Chance to make significant impact on company growth
- Collaborative and supportive work culture
- Compensation range of $100,000-130,000 USD base with commission and bonus opportunities
Flexible work from home options available.
Compensation: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
About us
Optopax is a Silicon Valley–based design and OEM manufacturing company delivering integrated AI imaging solutions—from concept through prototyping to production. We specialize in AI-enabled camera modules, precision optics spanning UV to LWIR, and custom embedded imaging systems powering applications in robotics, autonomous vehicles, submersible imaging, biomedical instrumentation, AR/VR, and optical computing.
Join the Team
Join our small, global team headquartered in San Jose, CA, and help us engineer the next generation of camera solutions that transform how machines see—through custom optics, advanced sensor integration, and embedded AI vision platforms.
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