Photonics Engineers - 17-2199.07

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 Engineering Manager, Optical Specialist, Optical Systems Engineer, Optoelectronics Engineer, Research and Development Engineer (R & D Engineer), Research Engineer

Tasks

• Analyze system performance or operational requirements.
• Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.
• Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.
• Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.
• Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
• Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.
• Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.
• Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features.
• Conduct research on new photonics technologies.
• Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems.
• Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes.
• Design photonics products, such as light sources, displays, or photovoltaics, to achieve increased energy efficiency.
• Train operators, engineers, or other personnel.
• Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links.
• Design gas lasers, solid state lasers, infrared, or other light emitting or light sensitive devices.
• Create or maintain photonic design histories.
• Oversee or provide expertise on manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication processes.
• Determine commercial, industrial, scientific, or other uses for electro-optical applications or devices.
• Design solar energy photonics or other materials or devices to generate energy.

Technology Skills

• 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

Tools Used

• 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

• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills

• 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.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
• Technology Design - Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
• Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Abilities

• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
• Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

Interests

• Interest code: IRC
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Work Context

• Electronic Mail - 96% responded “Every day.”
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - 96% responded “Every day.”
• Face-to-Face Discussions - 83% responded “Every day.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 61% responded “Extremely important.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 52% responded “Extremely important.”
• Contact With Others - 48% responded “Constant contact with others.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week - 61% responded “More than 40 hours.”
• Telephone - 65% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Structured versus Unstructured Work - 43% responded “Some freedom.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 35% responded “A lot of freedom.”
• Spend Time Sitting - 74% responded “More than half the time.”
• Level of Competition - 39% responded “Highly competitive.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 41% responded “Important.”
• Consequence of Error - 39% responded “Serious.”
• Time Pressure - 39% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Letters and Memos - 43% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 43% responded “Moderate results.”
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - 39% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
52%	Bachelor's degree
38%	Master's degree
5%	Associate's degree

Work Styles

• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

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.
• Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
• Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Wages & Trends

• Median wages (2017)
  • $46.75 hourly, $97,250 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 133,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Average (5% to 9%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 9,500