Occupations/17-2199.07
Photonics Engineers
Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
Usually a four-year bachelor’s degree.
AI automation risk
51%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
44%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
33%
More resilient
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Analyze system performance or operational requirements.
- Task
Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.
- Task
Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Analyze system performance or operational requirements.
- 02Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.
- 03Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.
- 04Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.
- 05Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.
- 06Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks2.39
- Degree of automation2.26
- Time sitting3.78
- Originality (ability)3.75
- Conflict situations2.61
- Hands-on objects/tools2.48
- Outdoors / weather1.39
- Disease exposure1.04
- Decision freedom4.00
Top abilities
- Written Comprehension4.00
- Information Ordering4.00
- Inductive Reasoning4.00
- Deductive Reasoning4.00
- Written Expression3.88
- Oral Comprehension3.88
- Mathematical Reasoning3.88
- Problem Sensitivity3.75
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.88
- Active Listening3.75
- Writing3.88
- Speaking3.62
- Mathematics3.62
- Science3.50
- Critical Thinking4.00
- Active Learning3.62
- Learning Strategies3.00
- Monitoring3.00
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 82 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose State University San Jose, CA · Public | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $8,200 | 77% | 71% | 1 yr $122,038 2 yr — Master's · CIP 14.01 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $11,200 | 49% | 89% | 1 yr $113,999 2 yr $106,421 Master's · CIP 14.01 |
University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $13,600 | 81% | 72% | 1 yr $108,852 2 yr $116,679 Master's · CIP 14.01 |
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $15,200 | 24% | 87% | 1 yr $108,092 2 yr $111,435 Master's · CIP 14.01 |
Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN · Private for-profit | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $18,600 | 100% | 64% | 1 yr $93,816 2 yr $89,144 Master's · CIP 14.01 |
Stanford University Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 14.0702 | $62,400 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr — 2 yr $91,744 Bachelor's · CIP 14.07 |
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $14,800 | 11% | 93% | 1 yr $80,022 2 yr $78,971 Master's · CIP 14.01 |
Houston Community College Houston, TX · Public | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 14.0702 | $4,300 | 100% | 24% | 1 yr $74,747 2 yr $55,512 Bachelor's · CIP 14.07 |
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA · Public | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 14.0702 | $11,800 | 17% | 91% | 1 yr $73,635 2 yr $74,307 Bachelor's · CIP 14.07 |
Marquette University Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $48,800 | 87% | 85% | 1 yr $73,215 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 14.01 |
University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 14.0702 | $6,400 | 23% | 89% | 1 yr $71,854 2 yr $73,145 Bachelor's · CIP 14.07 |
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA · Public | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 14.0702 | $10,700 | 86% | 79% | 1 yr $70,948 2 yr $67,156 Bachelor's · CIP 14.07 |