Job Title: Business Development Manager (Defense)

Location: Dalgety Bay, Scotland

Reporting to: Commercial Director

About us

Headquartered in Dalgety Bay, Scotland, with a high-volume manufacturing facility in Arizona, USA, PowerPhotonic is a global leader in precision micro-optics for laser applications. The company designs and manufactures complex freeform optics that are essential to enhancing the performance and reliability of laser systems used in demanding sectors such as aerospace, defense, and security.

The opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Business Development & Sales Manager to drive sales and business growth within defense & security markets. This is a crucial role for a results-driven individual who thrives on building long-term, high-value relationships with key government and military stakeholders. You will be responsible for defining and executing a sales strategy, from identifying new opportunities to closing complex, multi-year contracts.

Key responsibilities

• Strategic Capture: Identify and shape major defense programs early in the procurement cycle, positioning our company for long-term success.
• Customer Relationship Management: Build and maintain deep, trust-based relationships with a diverse range of defense customers, from end-users to procurement officials.
• Sales Pipeline Management: Manage the full sales lifecycle, including lead generation, qualification, proposal writing, negotiation, and contract closure.
• Market Insight: Conduct in-depth market research and competitive analysis to identify growth areas and influence product strategy.
• Technical Solutioning: Collaborate with our engineering and product teams to create bespoke technical solutions that address specific customer requirements.
• Account Growth: Expand and retain existing key accounts by continuously demonstrating value and introducing new products and services.
• Reporting: Maintain accurate sales records using our CRM system and provide regular forecasts and activity reports to senior management.

 

Your profile

• Proven experience in technical, consultative sales or business development within the defense, aerospace, or a high-tech sector.
• A strong understanding of the UK Ministry of Defense (MOD) industry and decision-making processes.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage confidently with both technical and non-technical stakeholders and at all levels of an organization, from engineers to C-level executives.
• Highly organized, analytical, and performance-driven, with a track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Self-motivated and comfortable managing your own workload with a high degree of autonomy.
• Hold UK SC Security Check clearance or have ability to pass clearance
• Experience with CRM software is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel frequently, both domestically and internationally.

What we offer

• A competitive salary and incentive plan.
• The opportunity to work on projects of national importance that contribute to defense and security.
• Significant autonomy to develop and win strategic business.
• A collaborative and supportive work environment with a focus on professional development.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including, e.g., pension, life assurance, private medical insurance incl optical & dental (with optional family cover), EAP and 24 hour GP cover, 34 days holiday, Hybrid working and half day finish on a Friday, where possible.

Ready to make an impact?

If you are an ambitious and skilled sales professional with a passion for the defense sector, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are the ideal candidate for this role to hr@powerphotonic.com

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

Department: PowerPhotonic Inc

Location: Sahuarita, Arizona, USA (PowerPhotonic Inc.)

Type of position: Full Time

Reports to: Head of Engineering

JOB SUMMARY

The Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer will be responsible for the concept development, detailed design, prototyping, and production readiness of mechanical and opto-mechanical assemblies for defense and commercial applications. The engineer will collaborate with the optical engineering team, customers, sales, production, supply chain, and the UK HQ to deliver robust design solutions, controlled documentation, and effective New Product Introduction. The role involves working within ITAR-controlled environments, ensuring all work complies with US export control regulations.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Mechanical & Opto-Mechanical Design

• Develop concept, detailed, and production-ready designs for mechanical and opto-mechanical assemblies compliant with defence standards.
• Interpret and work with customer requirements at early “bid stage” design phases.
• Produce 3D models and 2D drawings in CAD package (SolidWorks or Autodesk Inventor) ensuring compliance with internal standards and ITAR-controlled document handling.
• Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs)

Prototyping & Production Readiness

• Lead activities for developing new assembly products,
• Support prototyping builds of optomechanical assemblies, ensuring design intent is met and mechanical improvements are implemented.
• Work alongside optical engineers and technicians in a laboratory environment to develop assembly processes

Define mechanical manufacturing processes and interface with mechanical vendors to ensure readiness for production.

Project & Programme Management

• Manage mechanical and opto-mechanical project tasks, schedules, and deliverables to tight timescales.
• Within the scope of the role, coordinate engineering activities across the US and UK while maintaining proper export control data boundaries.

Engineering Governance & Document Control

• Maintain robust drawing control, revision management, and change control aligned with ITAR requirements.
• .
• Ensure designs meet engineering KPIs for quality, cost, and schedule.
• Conduct proper handover to production teams post readiness-for-manufacture, ensuring controlled transfer of sensitive data.

Cross-Site, Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with PowerPhotonic HQ (UK) ensuring proper segregation of ITAR-controlled data and use of approved communication channels.
• Coordinate with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Key point of contact for Sales Team for mechanical and opto-mechanical designs and implementation. Support includes:
• Performing as the mechanical technical interface to customers and key partners in collaborative projects
• Collaborating with technical and sales team to generate technical proposals to support bid process
• Proposing technical solutions (mechanical design, costings)
• Assessing feasibility and risks
• Estimating cost and timeline

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

Essential requirements

Must already hold the legal right to work in the US

Technical

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• Strong experience (3+ years) in mechanical design, experience in opto-mechanical design and/or high-precision applications strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Autodesk inventor (or SolidWorks) and engineering documentation practices.
• Experience with product development, prototyping in a laboratory environment, design for manufacture and assembly, and transferring designs and approaches to a production team.
• Familiarity with ITAR, export control legislation, and secure document handling preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems and engineering change management preferred.

Project & Interpersonal

• Ability to manage projects and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Strong communication skills for cross-functional and customer-facing interactions.
• Ability to work autonomously and within international teams while respecting ITAR restrictions.
• Cost-conscious, with experience driving standardisation and design efficiency.
• Experience supporting sales and bid processes, including ITAR-conscious technical submissions.

PERSONAL SKILLS, ABILITIES AND VALUES

PowerPhotonic is at a key stage of its development and has a clearly defined set of values. The company is therefore looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following:

• Highly organised and meticulous, with strong adherence to process and compliance.
• Capable of working under pressure with strict deadlines.
• Creative with a strong problem-solving capability
• Self-driven, team-oriented, and able to work within a regulated, high-integrity environment
• Flexibility to develop products addressing a range of different markets.
• Customer focused and skilled at interpreting and addressing customer requirements across different applications.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Office and manufacturing environment. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

JOB PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES

PowerPhotonic is committed to the career and personal development of its employees. While no specific guarantees can be given as to future career development, , the company looks to employ individuals who have the interest, skills and potential to progress within the company. Potential routes for future career development from this role could include:

• Providing appropriate training and opportunities to take up new responsibilities within the company.
• Gaining more opportunities for external collaboration with customers and partners.
• Gaining more experience in technical leadership and coaching.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

Infrequent international travel is required for training and collaboration with UK colleagues.

Occasional domestic travel may be required to cover attendance at training courses, industrial events and customer visits.

 

Please send your CV and cover letter to hr@powerphotonic.com

No agencies please.