Photonics Engineers

Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.

Also Known As:

Algorithm Developer Laser Engineer Optical Design Engineer Optical Engineer Optical Specialist Optical Systems Engineer Optoelectronics Engineer Research Engineer Research and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer)

Wages

Hourly

Annual wages for Photonics Engineers in United States

Job Outlook Average

New job opportunities are likely in the future

United States 2033 Projected Employment

169,200

5% Change From 2023

Explore Mechatronics Engineers and Emerging Engineering Fields video

Tasks you might complete in a day.

Design or redesign optical fibers to minimize energy loss.
Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes.
Create or maintain photonic design histories.
Create or maintain photonic design histories.
Determine commercial, industrial, scientific, or other uses for electro-optical applications or devices.
Develop laser-processed designs, such as laser-cut medical devices.
Select, purchase, set up, operate, or troubleshoot state-of-the-art laser cutting equipment.
Select, purchase, set up, operate, or troubleshoot state-of-the-art laser cutting equipment.
Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links.
Design gas lasers, solid state lasers, infrared, or other light emitting or light sensitive devices.
Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.
Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.
Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.
Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.
Design photonics products, such as light sources, displays, or photovoltaics, to achieve increased energy efficiency.
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.
Conduct research on new photonics technologies.
Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems.
Train operators, engineers, or other personnel.
Design solar energy photonics or other materials or devices to generate energy.
Select, purchase, set up, operate, or troubleshoot state-of-the-art laser cutting equipment.
Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links.
Design or develop new crystals for photonics applications.
Analyze system performance or operational requirements.
Design laser machining equipment for purposes such as high-speed ablation.
Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.
Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.
Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.
Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.
Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.
Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features.
Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes.
Oversee or provide expertise on manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication processes.
Develop photonics sensing or manufacturing technologies to improve the efficiency of manufacturing or related processes.

Subject areas you may need to master.

Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Strengths you may need in this role.

Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Systems Evaluation - Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Technology Design - Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Complex Problem Solving - Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Persuasion - Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Programming - Writing computer programs.
Management of Personnel Resources - Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Instructing - Teaching people how to do something.
Operations Analysis - Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
Coordination - Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Learning Strategies - Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Gross Body Equilibrium - Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Auditory Attention - Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
Night Vision - Seeing at night or under low light.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Speed of Limb Movement - Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Extent Flexibility - Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Dynamic Flexibility - Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Gross Body Coordination - Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Fluency of Ideas - Coming up with lots of ideas.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Perceptual Speed - Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Finger Dexterity - Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Time Sharing - Doing two or more things at the same time.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
Wrist-Finger Speed - Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Spatial Orientation - Knowing where things are around you.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Number Facility - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
Speed of Closure - Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Category Flexibility - Grouping things in different ways.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Memorization - Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Mathematical Reasoning - Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Visualization - Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Peripheral Vision - Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Sound Localization - Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Visual Color Discrimination - Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Explosive Strength - Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Dynamic Strength - Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
Glare Sensitivity - Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
Originality - Creating new and original ideas.

Average Education Attained

Highest level of education earned by people in this career.

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Photonics Engineers

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