“The Company Special: Careers, Lasers & Leadership at OPTOPRIM”
Summary: Can you build a successful career in photonics without a PhD? And what does it really take to sell advanced laser solutions in a highly specialized market?
In the very first episode of our new format, “The Company Special,” SalesPro4U CEO Susette Germer speaks with Christian Schröter, Managing Director of OPTOPRIM. As the first photonics company featured in this series, OPTOPRIM gives us a closer look into the world of laser technology, industrial sales, and career growth in deep tech. Together, Susette and Christian discuss why academic titles are not the only path to success, what a strong “hunter” mindset means in technical sales, and how talents can grow in the photonics industry.
And there is more: OPTOPRIM is hiring! In this episode, we also spotlight an open position for experts who want to build or continue their career in photonics and industrial sales.
Curious? Listen or watch the episode on Spotify, iTunes or YouTube and learn more about OPTOPRIM and the role – and if it sounds like a match, SalesPro4U can help you connect with OPTOPRIM.
1. What Is Photonics And Why Is It Everywhere?
The answer is simple: it is a highly dynamic, fast-evolving ecosystem that touches almost every piece of technology you handle today.
For those unfamiliar with the world of photonics, Christian offers a brilliant, real-world reality check:
“You touch at least 20 to 30 items every single day that have been processed, marked, measured, or supported by a laser. It’s in your phone, your glasses, your computer – everyone has photonics in their hand.”
OPTOPRIM operates across Europe, bringing innovative laser solutions to an incredibly versatile spectrum of industries. Because their product line ranges from single milliwatt components to massive multi-kilowatt systems, their applications span across completely distinct worlds:
- Scientific Research & Academia: Fueling early-stage technical breakthroughs.
- Medical & Surgical Technology: Providing ultra-precise tools for high-stakes healthcare.
- Deep Tech & Infrastructure: Powering cutting-edge AI data centers, space exploration, and defense.
- Heavy Manufacturing: Supplying lasers powerful enough to slice through 50mm of solid steel for shipbuilding and industrial construction.
2. From Field Service to Managing Director: A Different Career Path
In an industry where a PhD or strong academic background is often seen as the standard, Christian’s career path at OPTOPRIM is truly inspiring.
Over the past 10 years, he worked his way up from a service sales engineer with an electronics background to technical sales, to sales director – and today, he is the managing director at OPTOPRIM.
When Christian looks back at what helped him most, one thing stands out: listening.
“In service, you learn from the ground up how to listen to customers and understand their real problems. When you offer strong support from the beginning, you build trust — and that trust can turn into long-term business. Customers will not let you into their production processes or grow bigger projects with you if they do not trust your support.”
His path shows that leadership in a highly technical field is not only about academic titles. It is also about supporting customers, understanding their needs, and building trust over time.
To grow into modern leadership without the typical academic checklist, Christian highlights three core pillars:
- Finding Mentors: Young professionals grow faster when they meet experienced people inside the company and through networking – experts who share their knowledge, open doors, and help them build confidence in challenging situations.
- Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone: Accepting calculated risks. If you stay entirely in your comfort level, you remain stagnant.
- The Element of Trust: Being a reliable, trustful person ensures that clients and colleagues will always come back to you.
3. Hunter vs. Farmer: Defining the Ideal Sales DNA
After talking about Christian’s own career path, we now dive deeper into a role OPTOPRIM is currently hiring for: Industrial Sales Engineer for Laser Systems and Optical Technologies
In the job description, they emphasize a crucial soft skill: a strong hunter mindset.
But what does that actually mean in daily sales work? Christian explains the difference between the classic “farmer” approach and the proactive “hunter” mindset.
The Farmer Mindset: A farmer works with an existing field and harvests what is already there. This can feel safe, but over time, the field can become smaller because markets change, accounts age, or economic conditions shift.
The Hunter Mindset: A hunter is proactive, self-organized, and curious. Hunters do not wait for leads to be handed to them. They go into the market, explore new applications, adapt to new industries, and discover new customer segments.
And this is exactly why the “hunter” mindset matters so much for this position. As an Industrial Sales Engineer at OPTOPRIM, you need to be ready for a fast-moving photonics market. No two weeks are the same. New customer requests come from very different industries – so this role is not for someone who waits for clear instructions or fixed routines. It is for someone who is curious, proactive, and able to adapt quickly. A rigid mindset can quickly feel lost, while a true “hunter” can thrive.
4. No PhD Required: What OPTOPRIM Really Looks For
For this role, OPTOPRIM is not looking for a specific academic title. A PhD or a certain master’s degree is not the main requirement.
What matters more is how a person performs in the job: motivation, dedication, customer focus, and the ability to take responsibility.
This is one of the most refreshing parts of OPTOPRIM’s hiring approach. A candidate with five years of strong sales experience can be just as interesting as someone with many years in the industry – if the mindset is right.
That is why OPTOPRIM looks closely at the person behind the CV. Christian makes this very clear:
“It doesn’t matter how you got your degree; it matters how you perform in the job. I can have a lazy physics doctor who doesn’t help the company or themselves, or I can have a highly motivated, practically-minded, nature-grown person who steps up and rocks their topics. That’s why we rely heavily on personal aspects, motivation, and dedication.”
5. Final Thoughts
The conversation shows a company that values modern leadership, agility, and people over rigid corporate structures.
OPTOPRIM offers a dynamic and fast-moving environment where professionals can take ownership, work closely with customers, and help drive real industrial innovation — supported by a strong and collaborative team culture.
Do you want to enter the photonics industry, but don’t have direct industry experience yet? Sales can be an ideal way in – especially if you are curious, excited about technical solutions, and enjoy working with people.
Or do you already have experience in photonics and sales, and you are ready for your next career step?
Send us an email to expert@salespro4u.com to start your journey.
Are you a photonics, medtech, deep tech or semiconductor company looking to showcase your open role and company culture?
Send us an email to join our next “The Company Special” episode!
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