About the role
SMART Photonics is the leading independent Indium Phosphide (InP) photonic integrated circuit foundry, we work with companies building the future of AI infrastructure, datacom, telecom, sensing, and quantum technologies. We are based in Europe (the Netherlands, Eindhoven) We have a team of 200+ highly skilled and dedicated employees, most of them have an onsite job.
In the US market, we see strong momentum and increasing demand from customers looking for a manufacturing partner that can scale with them. That is why we are looking for a USA-based Sales Director who understands how to turn strategic conversations into real business.
We are looking for someone who knows how to get in front of decision makers, build trust with both technical and executive stakeholders, and drive complex opportunities toward signed agreements and long-term partnerships.
You will lead the commercial side of the relationship while working closely with our USA-based technical counterpart and our onsite teams in the Netherlands. That means you can stay focused on what matters most: building pipeline, creating momentum, negotiating deals, and winning business.
The daily job:
Drive new business growth across USA (mainly West Coast) close aligned with our company vision and strategical roadmap.
Identify opportunities in AI, optical networking, datacom, telecom, sensing, and photonics markets
Analyze market trends, competitive positioning, and emerging application opportunities to support strategic growth initiatives.
Build strategic and long-term relationships with key accounts and industry partners
Lead commercial discussions from first contact through contract signature, opens doors no one-else can open.
Manage complex sales cycles in deep-tech, photonics and/or semiconductor environments
Become part of a global commercial team with the headcounters in the Netherlands, close alignment with, and reporting to our local team, your USA counter partner and SMART Photonics leadership team.
Represent SMART Photonics at customer meetings and industry events (willing to travel up to 25%)
Act as the primary commercial interface for West & North American customers throughout the sales cycle.
Coordinate closely with technical, operations, and executive teams to align customer requirements with SMART Photonics’ technology roadmap and manufacturing capabilities.
Help define commercial processes, customer engagement models, and regional go-to-market strategies and rigorous execution and deployment
Support future recruitment and leadership of local commercial resources as the organization grows.
Requirements
Proven track record closing high-value and complex B2B semiconductors deals
Experience in photonics, semiconductors, telecom, datacom, or related deep-tech industries
Experience supporting market entry or regional expansion initiatives.
Familiarity with foundry business models, integrated photonics ecosystems, or semiconductor manufacturing environments.
Strong network in the West Coast optical / datacom ecosystem
Ability to engage both technical and executive stakeholders
Commercial drive, ownership mentality, and strong negotiation skills
Strong, no-nonsense, communication style able to bridge cultures, seniority levels and technical differences; You do not only talk well; you also are a deep and good listener.
Comfortable operating independently in remote setting and a fast-moving international environment.
We strongly prefer candidates based on the US West Coast because of proximity to customers and industry networks.
Why SMART Photonics:
Integrated photonics is scaling fast, and SMART Photonics is at the centre of it.
This is an opportunity to join a growing global player and directly influence commercial growth in one of the most important technology markets of the next decade.
What we offer;
Long term position.
Remote position with the opportunity to travel to Europe and Asia on regular base.
Exposure on global scale, from the foundry angle.
The position is structured as direct employment (respecting local state and USA labor market conditions)
SMART Photonics is hiring directly for this role, contractors, headhunters and/or agencies are kindly asked to respect this.
How we create a safe work environment together.
Security at SMART Photonics is a shared responsibility. As a company, we are committed to providing a safe, secure, and reliable workplace. Together, we protect our people, information, technology, and operations. Every employee is expected to work responsibly by following approved procedures, using our systems and information with care, and speaking up whenever something doesn't seem right. By applying for a position at SMART Photonics, you and agree to uphold the company's security principles and expectations.
Highlights
Join SMART Photonics as our US Sales Director and help America's leading AI, datacom, and photonics innovators scale with Europe's premier InP foundry.
Originally posted on Himalayas