Details Report for:
17-2199.07 - Photonics Engineers
Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
Sample of reported job titles: Algorithm Developer, Laser Engineer, Optical Design Engineer, Optical Engineer, Optical Specialist, Optical Systems Engineer, Optoelectronics Engineer, Research and Development Engineer (R & D Engineer), Research Engineer
Tasks | Technology Skills | Tools Used | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Detailed Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Category | Task |
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79 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
78 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
76 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
74 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
72 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
70 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
68 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
67 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
66 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
66 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
65 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
64 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
60 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
60 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
57 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
56 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
56 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
55 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
52 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
50 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
42 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
41 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
39 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
35 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
33 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
27 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental |
Technology Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Analytical or scientific software — Adept Scientific GRAMS; Mathsoft Mathcad; The MathWorks MATLAB
; Wolfram Research Mathematica (see all 9 examples)
- Computer aided design CAD software
— Autodesk AutoCAD
; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Optiwave OptiFDTD; Photon Design FIMMWAVE (see all 9 examples)
- Development environment software — C; Microsoft .NET Framework
; Microsoft Visual Basic
; National Instruments LabVIEW
- Electronic mail software — Microsoft Outlook
- Graphics or photo imaging software — Microsoft Visio
- Object or component oriented development software — C#
; C++
; Python
- Office suite software — Microsoft Office
- Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
Tools Used Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Bench refractometers or polarimeters — Bench refractometers
- Chromatographic detectors — Photodetectors
- Cryostats
- Digital cameras — Line scan cameras
- Electron microscopes — Microprobe stations; Probe test stations
- Flowmeters — Flow meters
- Fluorescent microscopes — Confocal fluorescence microscopes; Deconvolution fluorescence microscopes; Total internal reflection fluorescence TIRF microscopes
- Frequency counters or timer or dividers — Photon counting systems
- Fume hoods or cupboards — Chemical hoods
- Graphic recorders — Digital panel meters
- HEPA filtered enclosures — Biosafety cabinets
- Infrared imagers — Infrared viewers; Near infrared cameras
- Interferometers — Autocorrelators; Optical spectrum analyzers; Wavelength meters
- Isolation glove boxes
- Laboratory safety furnaces — Oxidation furnaces
- Laser beam analyzers — Laser beam profilers
- Laser fax machine — Laser facsimile machines
- Laser printers
- Lasers — Argon-ion lasers; Nitrogen lasers; Tunable diode lasers; Tunable dye lasers (see all 8 examples)
- Level generators — Pulse generators
- Lightmeters — Photodiode array detectors; Streak cameras
- Optical choppers
- Oscilloscopes — Digital storage oscilloscopes DSO
- Personal computers
- Polarimeters
- Power meters — Optical power meters
- Reflectometers — Optical time domain reflectometers OTDR
- Scanning electron microscopes — Scanning electron microscopes SEM
- Scanning light or spinning disk or laser scanning microscopes — Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering CARS microscopes; Near field scanning optical microscopes NSOM; Raman microscopes
- Scanning probe microscopes — Atomic force microscopes AFM
- Semiconductor process systems — Contact lithography systems; Electron beam lithography systems; Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition PECVD systems; Vacuum deposition systems (see all 6 examples)
- Semiconductor testers — Semiconductor parameter analyzers
- Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters — Fluorescence lifetime spectrometers; Spectrofluorimeters
- Spectrometers — Spectroscopes
- Spectrophotometers
- Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers — Rapid thermal annealers RTA
- Tumblers or polishers — Chemical mechanical polishing CMP systems
- Utility knives — Optical fiber cleavers
- Vibration testers — Laser Doppler vibrometers
- Voltage or current meters — Current monitors
- Xenon lamp — Xenon arc lamps
Knowledge Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Knowledge |
|
---|---|---|
96 ![]() ![]() |
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89 ![]() ![]() |
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89 ![]() ![]() |
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81 ![]() ![]() |
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74 ![]() ![]() |
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58 ![]() ![]() |
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52 ![]() ![]() |
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44 ![]() ![]() |
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43 ![]() ![]() |
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32 ![]() ![]() |
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18 ![]() ![]() |
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15 ![]() ![]() |
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12 ![]() ![]() |
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11 ![]() ![]() |
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10 ![]() ![]() |
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10 ![]() ![]() |
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9 ![]() ![]() |
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7 ![]() ![]() |
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4 ![]() ![]() |
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2 ![]() ![]() |
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1 ![]() ![]() |
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1 ![]() ![]() |
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1 ![]() ![]() |
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0 ![]() |
Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Skill |
|
---|---|---|
75 ![]() ![]() |
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72 ![]() ![]() |
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72 ![]() ![]() |
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69 ![]() ![]() |
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66 ![]() ![]() |
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66 ![]() ![]() |
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66 ![]() ![]() |
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63 ![]() ![]() |
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60 ![]() ![]() |
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60 ![]() ![]() |
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56 ![]() ![]() |
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56 ![]() ![]() |
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53 ![]() ![]() |
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53 ![]() ![]() |
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50 ![]() ![]() |
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50 ![]() ![]() |
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50 ![]() ![]() |
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50 ![]() ![]() |
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50 ![]() ![]() |
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47 ![]() ![]() |
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31 ![]() ![]() |
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28 ![]() ![]() |
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25 ![]() ![]() |
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19 ![]() ![]() |
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6 ![]() ![]() |
Abilities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Work Activity |
|
---|---|---|
89 ![]() ![]() |
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87 ![]() ![]() |
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84 ![]() ![]() |
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84 ![]() ![]() |
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79 ![]() ![]() |
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79 ![]() ![]() |
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76 ![]() ![]() |
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76 ![]() ![]() |
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71 ![]() ![]() |
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71 ![]() ![]() |
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69 ![]() ![]() |
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65 ![]() ![]() |
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64 ![]() ![]() |
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63 ![]() ![]() |
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60 ![]() ![]() |
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52 ![]() ![]() |
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50 ![]() ![]() |
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47 ![]() ![]() |
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37 ![]() ![]() |
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32 ![]() ![]() |
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28 ![]() ![]() |
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27 ![]() ![]() |
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25 ![]() ![]() |
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23 ![]() ![]() |
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16 ![]() ![]() |
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10 ![]() ![]() |
Detailed Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
- Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
- Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
- Create physical models or prototypes.
- Prepare detailed work plans.
- Update technical knowledge.
- Prepare research or technical reports.
- Write reports or evaluations.
- Prepare proposal documents.
- Identify new applications for existing technologies.
- Research advanced engineering designs or applications.
- Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
- Fabricate devices or components.
- Document technical design details.
- Maintain operational records or records systems.
- Direct industrial production activities.
- Design energy production or management equipment or systems.
- Design industrial processing systems.
- Operate industrial equipment.
- Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.
- Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
Work Context Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Job Zone Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Title | Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed |
Education | Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
Related Experience | A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. |
Job Training | Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. |
Job Zone Examples | Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators. |
SVP Range | (7.0 to < 8.0) |
Education
![]() Percentage of Respondents |
Education Level Required |
---|---|
52 ![]() ![]() |
Bachelor's degree |
38 ![]() ![]() |
Master's degree |
5 ![]() ![]() |
Associate's degree |
Interests Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Occupational Interest |
Interest |
|
---|---|---|
100 ![]() ![]() |
||
72 ![]() ![]() |
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. ![]() |
|
50 ![]() ![]() |
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50 ![]() ![]() |
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11 ![]() ![]() |
||
6 ![]() ![]() |
Work Styles Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Work Style |
|
---|---|---|
89 ![]() ![]() |
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85 ![]() ![]() |
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75 ![]() ![]() |
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75 ![]() ![]() |
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75 ![]() ![]() |
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71 ![]() ![]() |
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65 ![]() ![]() |
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59 ![]() ![]() |
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51 ![]() ![]() |
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47 ![]() ![]() |
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39 ![]() ![]() |
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24 ![]() ![]() |
Related Occupations Save Table (XLS/CSV)
13-1081.01 | Logistics Engineers |
17-2011.00 | Aerospace Engineers |
17-2031.00 | Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers ![]() |
17-2071.00 | Electrical Engineers ![]() |
17-2072.00 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer |
17-2141.00 | Mechanical Engineers |
17-2199.03 | Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar |
17-2199.08 | Robotics Engineers |
17-3026.00 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
Wages & Employment Trends
Median wage data for Engineers, All Other.
Employment data for Engineers, All Other.
Industry data for Engineers, All Other.
Median wages (2019) | $47.62 hourly, $99,040 annual |
State wages | |
Local wages | |
Employment (2019) | 170,100 employees |
Projected growth (2019-2029) | ![]() |
Projected job openings (2019-2029) | 10,300 |
State trends | |
Top industries (2019) | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (26% employed in this sector)
Manufacturing (24%)
Government (22%)
|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 wage data
and 2019-2029 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2019-2029). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.