Senior Application Engineer

Technical Product Manager / Senior Application Engineer – Optics (m/w/d)

Location:

St. Gallen Rhine Valley | Industry: High-end photonics & semiconductor industry

Our client is a globally operating technology group and one of the leading developers of key optical components. At their Swiss location, they produce highly complex optomechanical systems for the "big players" in the semiconductor, medical technology, and laser material processing industries.

In this interface role, you are the technical owner for the product portfolio. You bridge the worlds of physics, engineering, and marketing, ensuring that customer requirements are translated into feasible high-tech solutions. You accompany the product throughout its entire lifecycle – from the initial idea to phase‑out.

• Product Ownership:
  Technical maintenance and further development of the portfolio (Lifecycle Management) with a focus on optical systems and semiconductor equipment.
• Requirements Engineering:
  Analysis of complex customer requests and translation into technical specifications for R&D and manufacturing.
• Interface management:
  They act as a technical "hub" between product management, sales, development (optical design) and quality management.
• Market strategy:
  Support in defining roadmaps and business cases through in-depth competitive analyses and technology scouting.
• Solution Design:
  Development of technical solution concepts and feasibility assessments for international key accounts.

• Education:
  
  Successfully completed studies (Master's/Diploma/PhD) in physics, photonics, electrical engineering or comparable fields.
• Experience:
  
  Professional experience in product management, application engineering or technical sales within the optics or high-tech industry.
• Technical expertise:
  Sound understanding of optical systems, semiconductor manufacturing, or laser technology.
• Business mindset:
  Ability to translate technical features into customer benefits (additional business training is a plus, but not a must).
• Personality:
  Strong communicator, customer‑oriented and analytical thinker.
• Languages:
  
  Fluent German and English.

• A strategically important role with high visibility within the group.
• Working at the technological forefront (photonics for semiconductors).
• An international environment with travel (approx. 10‑15%) to global customers and partners.