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Career Details
17-2199.07 - Photonics Engineers
17-2199.07 - Photonics Engineers
Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
Key Facts

Bright Outlook
1
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
136,900
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
142,300
Estimate
Change in Employment
+5,500
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+4%
Estimate
Tasks

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

Knowledge
The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools

Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology

Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications

Licensing

Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs

Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.
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INSTITUTION
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