growthroles

Account Executive - Optical and Photonics Solutions

Viavisolutions Open · verified Oct 23, 2026
San Jose Full-time Mid-level Account Executive

At a glance

Mid-level Account Executive role at Viavisolutions. San Jose · full-time · $90,300–$167,700 base.

SalaryStated by Viavisolutions
$90,300 – $167,700
Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.
This role, from ViavisolutionsOur estimate for the market: $84,350–$190,456Median $134,750
The range includes the market median of $134,750 for mid-level account executive roles in San Jose.
Worked out from 19 postings that stated pay, median $134,750. Last updated Oct 22, 2026.
RoleAccount Executive
SeniorityMid-level
LocationSan Jose
EmploymentFull-time
Base pay$90,300–$167,700
PostedOct 21, 2026 · 2d ago
Role brief

growthroles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

  • Build territory plans for photonic component and telecom or compute hardware accounts across the Bay Area and Western United States
  • Find new customers and grow existing business by developing relationships with technical and business stakeholders
  • Qualify opportunities, guide sales through close, and keep forecasts, CRM entries, quotes and follow-ups current
  • Match the photonics portfolio to customer development and manufacturing needs, coordinating technical teams on evaluations and proposals
  • Visit customers and attend industry events, then support forecast reviews and shared business planning

What you bring

  • A degree in engineering, physics, photonics, optics or business, or relevant experience in place of a degree
  • Typically one to three years in technical sales, applications engineering or another listed customer-facing technical role
  • Working knowledge of fiber optics, photonics and basic optical testing, including measures such as wavelength and optical power
  • Clear written, spoken and presentation skills for conversations with engineers and business decision-makers

Who this fits

This role suits an early-career candidate with optical or photonics knowledge who is ready to develop customer-facing sales skills. Recent graduates may qualify through relevant coursework, internships or lab experience. You’ll be based in the Bay Area and travel across North America as needed.

From the employer

Summary:

VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications.

We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company – to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Position Summary

VIAVI Solutions is seeking a Bay Area–based Account Executive to develop and grow optical and photonics business across the Bay Area and broader Western United States, including but not limited to key photonics, semiconductor, datacenter, optical-component and communications accounts throughout the region. This position reports to John Winans, Senior Director, VIAVI Solutions.

The Account Executive will build customer relationships, identify and qualify new opportunities, manage the sales process and coordinate VIAVI technical resources to support customer design, validation and manufacturing-test requirements.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute territory and account plans for photonic component and telecommunications/compute hardware related companies. Identify and develop new business while expanding VIAVI’s position within existing accounts.
  • Build relationships with engineering, operations, procurement, management and executive stakeholders.
  • Prospect, qualify and manage opportunities through closure while maintaining accurate forecasts, CRM records, quotations and follow-up actions.
  • Position VIAVI’s photonic portfolio for optical development and manufacturing applications.
  • Understand customer requirements involving optical system design, automation, repeatability and production throughput.
  • Work closely with VIAVI applications engineering, product management, business development and customer-support teams to develop technically and commercially appropriate solutions.
  • Coordinate technical discovery, demonstrations, product evaluations, proof-of-concept activities, proposals and post-sale handoffs.
  • Participate in customer visits, industry events, forecast reviews and cross-functional business-planning activities.
  • Travel throughout North America as required.

Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:

Qualifications and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, photonics, optics, business or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Typically, one to three years of experience in technical sales, applications engineering, inside sales, business development, optical testing or a customer-facing technical role.
  • Recent graduates may be considered when they have relevant coursework, internships, laboratory experience, industry exposure or demonstrated sales aptitude.
  • Foundational understanding of fiber optics and photonics, including wavelength, optical power, dB/dBm, insertion loss, return loss, attenuation, switching and basic optical-test methodology.
  • Ability and willingness to develop working proficiency with VIAVI MAP products, configurations, applications and customer test workflows.
  • Strong written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both engineers and business decision-makers.
  • Demonstrated curiosity, organization, initiative, follow-through and willingness to learn.
  • Ability to manage multiple accounts and opportunities while working collaboratively across geographically distributed organization.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with optical communications, electro-optical design and test, laboratory automation, CRM platforms or complex capital-equipment sales is preferred but not required.

If you have what it takes to push boundaries and seize opportunities, apply to join our team today.

VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer – minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.

Job Posting Pay Range:

90,300

to

167,700

Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary. VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.

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