Occupations · Architecture and Engineering

Photonics Engineers

Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 17-2199.07

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Critical Thinking4.0

Reading Comprehension3.9

Writing3.9

Active Listening3.8

Active Learning3.6

Mathematics3.6

Speaking3.6

Science3.5

Monitoring3.0

Learning Strategies3.0

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Autodesk AutoCAD●C●C#●C++●Dassault Systemes SolidWorks●ESRI ArcGIS software●Facebook●Go●Linux●Microsoft .NET Framework●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Visio●Microsoft Visual Basic●Microsoft Word●Oracle Java●Perl●Python●R●SAS●Shell script●The MathWorks MATLAB●UNIX●Adept Scientific GRAMSApollo Photonics APSSBPM_CAD

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Frequency of Decision Making−1.4 below average

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions−1.2 below average

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures−1.1 below average

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled+1.0 above average

E-Mail+1.0 above average

Exposed to Contaminants−0.9 below average

Spend Time Standing−0.9 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2018-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree52%

Master's Degree38%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)5%

Doctoral Degree5%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2018-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic5.9

Investigative5.9

Conventional4.0

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Complex Problem Solving3.4

Judgment and Decision Making3.4

Technology Design3.2

Operations Analysis3.2

Systems Evaluation3.1

Systems Analysis3.1

Instructing3.0

Coordination3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Engineering and TechnologyMathematicsPhysicsComputers and ElectronicsDesignEnglish Language

Abilities it leans on

Written ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingOral ComprehensionWritten Expression

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

EngineerLaser EngineerOptics EngineerDisplay EngineerOptical EngineerResearch EngineerPhotonics EngineerOptical SpecialistAlgorithm DeveloperOptical Test EngineerFiber Optics EngineerLaser Systems EngineerOptomechanical EngineerElectro-optics Engineer

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning.

Now listed 36

+Facebook+Dassault Systemes SolidWorks+Mathsoft Mathcad+Zemax+SAS+Oracle Java+ESRI software+C#+Computer-aided drafting or design software+Microsoft Word+Microsoft Outlook+Finite element analysis FEA software+Perl+C++

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

EngineerLaser EngineerOptics EngineerSystem EngineerOptical EngineerDisplay EngineerOptical ScientistResearch EngineerOptical FabricatorOptical SpecialistPhotonics EngineerAlgorithm Developer

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
photonics engineer	2149.10.1	exact
optoelectronic engineer	2152.1.8	close
optical engineer	2149.10	close
photonics engineering technician	3119.11	close
optoelectronic engineering technician	3114.1.8	close

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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