Applications Engineer - Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara Infrared

Full-Time

Experienced Non-Manager

Santa Barbara Infrared, Inc. is currently recruiting for the position of Applications Engineer.

Santa Barbara Infrared, Inc. (SBIR) is a very successful, fast-paced subsidiary of HEICO Corporation, (NYSE: HEI, HEI.A). For more than 60 years, HEICO has thrived by serving segments of the aerospace, defense, and electronics industries by providing innovative and cost-saving products and services. Forbes Magazine has ranked HEICO as one of the 200 "Best Small Companies" and 200 "Hot Shot Stocks".

Santa Barbara Infrared, Inc. designs and manufactures the most technologically advanced Infrared (IR) and Electro-Optical (E-O) test instrumentation. SBIR's broad line of innovative products support testing of military and commercial sensor systems for world-wide use in laboratory, production, depot and field test applications. SBIR's high-energy, dynamic culture focuses our Team Members on providing quality products and services to our customers. We provide highly integrated, well-engineered, cost effective hardware and software solutions to the E-O community. In doing so, SBIR has become the preferred supplier to major domestic and international manufacturers of commercial and military E-O sensors and systems.

Applications Engineer - Electro-Optical Test Systems.

This role sits at the intersection of engineering and business development, serving as a key technical advisor to customers while helping drive new business opportunities. The ideal candidate brings a strong technical foundation and proven customer-facing experience, with the ability to understand customer needs, communicate technical solutions, and work closely with engineering teams to deliver value.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical interface for customers across pre-sales and post-sales activities
• Partner with business development to identify opportunities, shape solutions, and support capture strategies
• Lead technical discussions, presentations, and product demonstrations for customers and partners
• Translate customer needs into technical requirements and system-level concepts for internal engineering teams
• Support proposal efforts, including technical content, solution definition, and cost inputs
• Collaborate with engineering to ensure solutions are aligned with customer expectations and delivered successfully
• Support system integration, acceptance testing, and customer onboarding as needed
• Provide ongoing technical support, training, and relationship management to drive customer satisfaction and repeat business
• Capture and communicate customer feedback to influence product development and strategy

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
• 3+ years of experience in a customer-facing role such as applications engineering, systems engineering, or technical business development
• Demonstrated experience supporting business development, sales, or customer engagement activities
• Strong ability to understand and communicate complex technical concepts
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering teams
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with electro-optical / infrared (EO/IR) systems, imaging technologies, or test and measurement systems
• Background in defense, aerospace, or advanced sensing technologies
• Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for data analysis or demonstrations
• Experience supporting proposals, customer demos, or field deployments
• Experience working with U.S. Government or prime contractor customers

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to travel (~20-40%) for customer meetings, demos, and program support
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (if required)

Due to US Export Control Regulations compliance, eligible candidates MUST be a US citizen, permanent resident or a person who has been granted asylum; proper documentation required. Pre-employment verifications: must pass background, reference and ITAR/EAR checks in addition to a pre-employment drug screen.

This position offers many benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, HSA, FSA, alternate work week schedule, LTD, life insurance and much more.

$110,000/yr. - $130,000/yr. - DOE

EOE

Male/Female/Veteran/Disabled

Pay Range Pay Range

The estimated pay range for this job. Disclosing pay information promotes competitive and equitable pay.

The actual pay rate will depend on the person's qualifications and experience.

$110,000.00 - $130,000.00 / year

In order to support the Fair Compensation Strategy by the US Govt., HR Dept., clients are required to adhere to "Pay Transparency Law"; in the impacted states; that have mandated the employers to list the salary ranges in Job advertisements or postings for job opportunities and Job promotions.