What Do Photonics Engineer Do?
Job Description & Duties Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
Life As a Photonics Engineer
- Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems.
- Develop laser-processed designs, such as laser-cut medical devices.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
- Design gas lasers, solid state lasers, infrared, or other light emitting or light sensitive devices.
- Conduct research on new photonics technologies.
- Design photonics products, such as light sources, displays, or photovoltaics, to achieve increased energy efficiency.
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Qualities of a Photonics Engineer
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.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Types of Photonics Engineer Jobs
- Optical Engineer
- Algorithm Developer
- Electro-optical Engineer
- Optomechanical Engineer
- Optoelectronics Engineer
Photonics Engineer Job Outlook
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. There will be an estimated 9,500 positions for Photonics Engineer per 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.
What is the Average Salary of a Photonics Engineer
The typical yearly salary for Photonics Engineers is somewhere between $50,750 and $155,650.
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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Photonics Engineers may use on a daily basis:
- 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 to Become a Photonics Engineer
What kind of Photonics Engineer requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Photonics Engineer?
Photonics Engineers Sector
Photonics Engineers work in the following industries:
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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