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.
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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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- 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.
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.
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?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Photonics Engineer?
Where do Photonics Engineers Work?
Below are examples of industries where Photonics Engineers work:
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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