{"v":"2026-11-02","dataVersion":"ONET-30.3+BLS-MAY25","code":"17-2199.07","slug":"photonics-engineers","title":"Photonics Engineers","alt":["Engineer","Optical Engineer","Optics Engineer","Laser Engineer","Display Engineer","Research Engineer","Optomechanical Engineer","Optoelectronics Engineer","Electro-optical Engineer","Optical Systems Engineer","Algorithm Developer","Opto-Mechanical Engineer"],"employment":154070,"wage":{"median":122930,"p25":90970,"p75":158090},"growthPct":2.1,"exposure":53.7,"taskCount":26,"highCount":2,"midCount":22,"lowCount":2,"aeiObserved":1,"fit":{"mix":{"none":0,"efficient":20.4,"standard":36.4,"frontier":43.2},"counts":{"none":0,"efficient":5,"standard":9,"frontier":12},"recommended":"frontier","coveragePct":100,"addressablePct":100},"tasks":[{"t":"Analyze system performance or operational requirements.","imp":4.14,"exp":89.22,"src":"aei","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Analyzing Data or Information","auto":0.601,"aug":0.399},{"t":"Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.","imp":4.1,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.","imp":4.04,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials"},{"t":"Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.","imp":3.95,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials"},{"t":"Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.","imp":3.86,"exp":55,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work"},{"t":"Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.","imp":3.78,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge"},{"t":"Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.","imp":3.7,"exp":85,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Documenting/Recording Information","auto":0.4091,"aug":0.5909},{"t":"Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.","imp":3.67,"exp":55,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials"},{"t":"Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features.","imp":3.65,"exp":55,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events"},{"t":"Conduct research on new photonics technologies.","imp":3.64,"exp":55,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Getting Information"},{"t":"Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems.","imp":3.58,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes.","imp":3.55,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Documenting/Recording Information"},{"t":"Train operators, engineers, or other personnel.","imp":3.41,"exp":35,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Training and Teaching Others"},{"t":"Design photonics products, such as light sources, displays, or photovoltaics, to achieve increased energy efficiency.","imp":3.41,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links.","imp":3.26,"exp":55,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials"},{"t":"Design gas lasers, solid state lasers, infrared, or other light emitting or light sensitive devices.","imp":3.24,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Create or maintain photonic design histories.","imp":3.24,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Documenting/Recording Information"},{"t":"Oversee or provide expertise on manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication processes.","imp":3.21,"exp":55,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates"},{"t":"Determine commercial, industrial, scientific, or other uses for electro-optical applications or devices.","imp":3.06,"exp":55,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events"},{"t":"Design solar energy photonics or other materials or devices to generate energy.","imp":3,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Design or redesign optical fibers to minimize energy loss.","imp":2.67,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Develop photonics sensing or manufacturing technologies to improve the efficiency of manufacturing or related processes.","imp":2.65,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Develop laser-processed designs, such as laser-cut medical devices.","imp":2.54,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Design or develop new crystals for photonics applications.","imp":2.38,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Design laser machining equipment for purposes such as high-speed ablation.","imp":2.31,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Select, purchase, set up, operate, or troubleshoot state-of-the-art laser cutting equipment.","imp":2.08,"exp":30,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Making Decisions and Solving Problems"}],"adjacent":[{"code":"17-3029.08","slug":"photonics-technicians","title":"Photonics Technicians","overlap":0.8,"months":7,"exposure":55.6,"strong":true},{"code":"17-2199.11","slug":"solar-energy-systems-engineers","title":"Solar Energy Systems Engineers","overlap":0.6,"months":14,"exposure":58.3,"strong":false},{"code":"19-2012.00","slug":"physicists","title":"Physicists","overlap":0.6,"months":14,"exposure":58,"strong":false},{"code":"17-2072.00","slug":"electronics-engineers-except-computer","title":"Electronics Engineers, Except Computer","overlap":0.58,"months":15,"exposure":55.2,"strong":false},{"code":"17-2199.09","slug":"nanosystems-engineers","title":"Nanosystems Engineers","overlap":0.58,"months":15,"exposure":56.9,"strong":false}]}
