Occupation · SOC 17-2199.07
Photonics Engineers
Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
Median wage
$117,750
$62,840–$183,510
Projected growth
+2.1%
Slower than average
Annual openings
330
per year
Employed (US)
150,750
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
920 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionWritingActive ListeningSpeakingMathematicsActive LearningScience
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyPhysicsMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsDesign
Technology & tools
Analytical or scientific softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareDevelopment environment softwareObject or component oriented development softwareProgram testing software
Representative tasks
Analyze system performance or operational requirements.Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image procDevelop or test photonic prototypes or models.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Photonics system performance data — collect and organize under direct supervision to support operational requirements analysis in a laboratory setting.Optical component specifications — review and interpret with guidance to assist in the development of basic imaging or signal processing systems.Photonic prototypes — assemble and test following established procedures under the direction of a senior engineer in a controlled lab environment.Photonics system schematics — read and annotate using CAD software to support design and integration tasks on assigned project teams.Prototype testing procedures — execute step-by-step under supervision to gather functionality and performance data for photonics components.Technical reports and project documentation — draft using standard templates to communicate preliminary photonics research findings to the project team.Professional literature and conference materials — review regularly to build foundational awareness of current developments in photonics engineering.Laboratory test instruments and analytical software — operate under guidance to measure optical signal properties in a benchtop research environment.Production transition checklists — follow with oversight to assist in moving photonic prototype designs into early manufacturing stages.Mathematical and physics principles — apply under direction to support calculations related to optical system performance in academic or entry-level industry contexts.
developing
System performance requirements — analyze with moderate autonomy to define operational parameters for photonics systems in a product development environment.Optical imaging or signal processing subsystems — develop routinely by applying established design principles within a multidisciplinary engineering team.Photonic prototype test plans — devise and execute independently to evaluate component functionality and identify performance limits under laboratory conditions.Photonics systems and components — design and integrate using CAD and development environment software with reduced oversight on defined project scopes.Prototype-to-production transitions — coordinate across engineering and manufacturing teams to resolve design-for-manufacture challenges in a commercial setting.Technical proposals and research reports — compose with clarity and appropriate technical depth to communicate photonics project status to internal stakeholders.Emerging photonics technologies — evaluate by synthesizing peer-reviewed literature and conference proceedings to inform applied R&D decision-making.Analytical and simulation software tools — apply routinely to model optical system behavior and validate design choices before physical prototyping.Component-level quality control analysis — perform using established test protocols to ensure photonics deliverables meet specified tolerances in a production-adjacent environment.Cross-functional technical discussions — lead with confidence to align optical engineering requirements with adjacent mechanical and electronics disciplines on project teams.
proficient
Complex photonics system performance — analyze autonomously across full operational scope, including edge-case failure modes, to establish limits and optimization strategies in demanding R&D or defense-sector environments.End-to-end optical and imaging systems — develop independently, integrating components such as waveguides, detectors, and signal processors into high-performance products for commercial or research applications.Advanced photonic prototype models — design, build, and test without supervision, applying inductive reasoning and experimental iteration to achieve breakthrough performance targets.Photonics systems architectures — create and validate using integrated CAD, simulation, and object-oriented software environments across the full development lifecycle.Prototype-to-production transitions — lead technically by resolving non-routine manufacturing and yield challenges and ensuring design integrity is preserved at scale.Formal technical proposals and peer-reviewed reports — author independently, articulating complex photonics concepts with precision for both technical and executive audiences.Field developments in photonics — synthesize from diverse sources including journals, conferences, and colleague networks to drive continuous innovation within the organization.Photonics system and component limits — establish empirically through rigorous testing programs, using statistical and analytical software to interpret results and recommend design improvements.Systems analysis and evaluation — conduct across interdependent photonics subsystems to diagnose performance degradation and prescribe corrective engineering actions in high-stakes operational environments.Technology design decisions — make with sound judgment, balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability trade-offs for novel photonics solutions in competitive industry settings.
advanced
Organizational photonics R&D strategy — define and communicate across business units, aligning technical roadmaps with market opportunity and mission requirements at an enterprise scale.Next-generation optical and imaging system concepts — originate and champion, directing multidisciplinary teams to develop breakthrough technologies that establish new industry benchmarks.Photonics innovation culture — cultivate by mentoring engineers across all experience levels, establishing best practices for prototype development and systematic experimentation.Enterprise-wide technology design standards — establish for photonics systems development, ensuring consistency, quality, and scalability across all product lines and research programs.Strategic prototype-to-production transitions — govern by setting go/no-go criteria, managing risk across engineering and operations, and ensuring commercial viability of emerging photonics platforms.High-impact technical publications and government proposals — lead authorship on, representing the organization's photonics expertise to funding agencies, standards bodies, and the scientific community.External knowledge networks — build and steward through active leadership in professional organizations, standards committees, and conferences to position the organization at the forefront of photonics innovation.Complex systems evaluation frameworks — design and institutionalize to assess photonics system performance against strategic objectives across large-scale programs in government, defense, or industrial sectors.Cross-organizational photonics investment decisions — inform and guide using deep systems analysis expertise, translating technical assessments into business cases for senior executive and board-level audiences.Talent and capability development programs — architect for photonics engineering functions, designing learning strategies and career pathways that build long-term organizational depth and competitive advantage.
Also known as
24 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Electro-Optical EngineerOptical Manufacturing EngineerElectro-optics EngineerElectro-optical EngineerOptoelectronics EngineerFiber Optics EngineerLaser EngineerPhotonics EngineerOptomechanical EngineerOpto-Mechanical EngineerDWDM Optical Network Engineer (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Optical Network Engineer)EngineerDisplay EngineerOptical EngineerLaser Systems EngineerAlgorithm DeveloperOptical Test EngineerResearch and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer)Optical Design EngineerResearch EngineerOptics EngineerOptical Systems EngineerOptical SpecialistOptical Network Engineer