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Photonics Engineer

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What Do Photonics Engineer Do?

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

Life As a Photonics Engineer: What Do They Do?

  • 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.
  • Oversee or provide expertise on manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication processes.
  • Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.
  • Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.
  • Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links.

What Every Photonics Engineer Should Know

These are the skills Photonics Engineers say are the most useful in their careers:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.

  • Optical Engineering Manager
  • Electro-optical Engineer
  • Optical Engineer
  • Optical Design Engineer
  • Fiber Optics Engineer

Is There Job Demand for Photonics Engineers?

There were about 132,500 jobs for Photonics Engineer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,500 new jobs for Photonics Engineer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,500 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Photonics Engineer are Nevada, Utah, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Minnesota, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Photonics Engineer Make?

The salary for Photonics Engineers ranges between about $50,750 and $155,650 a year.

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Photonics Engineers who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.

How much do Photonics Engineers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $115,710
Alaska $114,040
Arizona $94,450
Arkansas $71,510
California $107,700
Colorado $111,610
Connecticut $100,230
District of Columbia $132,530
Florida $82,970
Georgia $93,580
Hawaii $96,940
Idaho $110,270
Illinois $87,220
Indiana $73,340
Iowa $78,230
Kansas $82,060
Kentucky $79,690
Louisiana $90,580
Maine $85,800
Maryland $118,420
Massachusetts $109,220
Michigan $90,420
Minnesota $101,620
Mississippi $79,630
Missouri $86,850
Montana $79,590
Nebraska $82,760
Nevada $94,950
New Hampshire $99,070
New Jersey $114,990
New Mexico $114,790
New York $95,270
North Carolina $83,900
North Dakota $83,270
Ohio $93,370
Oklahoma $83,080
Oregon $90,720
Pennsylvania $96,550
Rhode Island $95,790
South Carolina $100,750
South Dakota $84,320
Tennessee $82,030
Texas $113,370
Utah $89,810
Vermont $81,960
Virginia $118,390
Washington $104,890
West Virginia $91,420
Wisconsin $86,600
Wyoming $97,040

What Tools do Photonics Engineers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Photonics Engineers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Python
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Microsoft Visio
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • C
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica
  • Microsoft .NET Framework
  • Mathsoft Mathcad
  • C#
  • C++
  • Pattern recognition software
  • Spectroscopy software

How do I Become a Photonics Engineer?

What kind of Photonics Engineer requirements are there?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Photonics Engineer?

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Where do Photonics Engineers Work?

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Below are examples of industries where Photonics Engineers work:

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Career changers with experience as a Photonics Engineer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: NASA via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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