Summary Report for:
17-3029.08 - Photonics Technicians
Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Interests | Work Values | Wages & Employment | Job Openings
Tasks
- Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.
- Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies.
- Build prototype optomechanical devices for use in equipment such as aerial cameras, gun sights, or telescopes.
- Fabricate devices, such as optoelectronic or semiconductor devices.
- Perform laser seam welding, heat treatment, or hard facing operations.
- Repair or calibrate products, such as surgical lasers.
- Set up or operate assembly or processing equipment, such as lasers, cameras, die bonders, wire bonders, dispensers, reflow ovens, soldering irons, die shears, wire pull testers, temperature or humidity chambers, or optical spectrum analyzers.
- Set up or operate prototype or test apparatus, such as control consoles, collimators, recording equipment, or cables.
- Splice fibers, using fusion splicing or other techniques.
- Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors.
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Integrated circuit testers — Digital logic analyzers; Digital logic probes; Logic pulsers |
| Interferometers — Optical spectrum analyzers; Shearing interferometers; Twyman-Green interferometers; Wavelength meters |
| Lasers — Diode lasers; Excimer lasers; Liquid dye lasers; Solid state lasers |
| Power saws — Cutoff saws; Die saws; Die shears; Wire saws |
| Semiconductor process systems — Chemical vapor deposition CVD systems; Electron cyclotron resonance ECR reactive ion etchers RIE; Plasma strippers; Sputter deposition systems |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Data acquisition software; Statistical analysis software; The MathWorks MATLAB |
| Computer aided design CAD software — ZEMAX Optical Design Program |
| Computer aided manufacturing CAM software |
| Graphics or photo imaging software — Image processing software |
| Word processing software |
Interests
Interest code: RIC
| Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. |
| Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally. |
| Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow. |
Work Values
| Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
| Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
| Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other.
Employment data collected from Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other.
Industry data collected from Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other.
| Median wages (2012) | $28.58 hourly, $59,440 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 71,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) | 
Slower than average (3% to 9%)
|
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 16,800 |
| Top industries (2010) |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data
and 2010-2020 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
