Technical Sales Engineer

Role

Technical Sales Engineer – Laser Manufacturing

Riccarton Campus, Edinburgh

Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

Full-Time (1

FTE), Fixed Term (12 months)

33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days.

Heriot-Watt University is seeking a highly motivated optical engineer to join our photonics research team as a Technical Sales Engineer, with a planned transition to a university spin‑out company, Freeform Photonics, in July 2027.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge optical technology development in an academic environment and then move directly into a high‑growth commercial venture.

• Experimental optical engineering and laser‑based glass manufacturing; work within a team at Heriot‑Watt University, Edinburgh, developing and manufacturing products for external customer applications.
• Active involvement with the sales and commercial team, including:
  • Attending international trade shows
  • Preparing reports and presentations for customers
  • Meeting with global customers to understand their requirements and gather feedback on samples
  • Supporting customer engagement and technical sales activities
• Development, testing, and characterisation of advanced optical/photonics systems.
• Close collaboration with academic and industrial partners.
• From July 2027, expected transition into a technical sales role at Freeform Photonics, contributing to technology translation and commercial growth.

• PhD (ideal) or minimum MSc in Optics, Photonics, or a closely related field.
• Strong experimental background and confidence working independently in an optics laboratory.
• Genuine interest in commercialisation and contributing to sales activities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a high level of English language proficiency.
• Willingness and enthusiasm for international travel (trade shows and customer visits).
• Motivation to work in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.

• Opening to work in a leading photonics research environment with a defined pathway into an exciting university spin‑out company.
• Exposure to both advanced R&D and customer‑facing commercial activity.
• Opportunity to play a key role in shaping a growing photonics business.

Heriot‑Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot‑Watt University values diversity across our university community and encourages applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.

• We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns such as part‑time working and job share options.