Occupations · Architecture and Engineering

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 17-3029.08

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Compute or record photonic test data.
Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.
Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.
Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies.
Optimize photonic process parameters by making prototype or production devices.
Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment.
Splice fibers, using fusion splicing or other techniques.
Set up or operate assembly or processing equipment, such as lasers, cameras, die bonders, wire bonders, dispensers, reflow ovens, soldering irons, die shears, wire pull testers, temperature or humidity chambers, or optical spectrum analyzers.
Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.
Test or perform failure analysis for optomechanical or optoelectrical products, according to test plans.
Build prototype optomechanical devices for use in equipment such as aerial cameras, gun sights, or telescopes.
Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Reading Comprehension3.5

Critical Thinking3.4

Active Listening3.4

Monitoring3.2

Active Learning3.2

Writing3.1

Speaking3.1

Mathematics2.8

Learning Strategies2.8

Science2.5

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

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

Autodesk AutoCAD●Dassault Systemes SolidWorks●Facebook●Microsoft Access●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Word●SAP software●The MathWorks MATLAB●Data acquisition softwareDatabase softwareImage processing softwareNational Instruments LabVIEWStatistical analysis softwareWeb browser softwareZEMAX Optical Design Program

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.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment+1.4 above average

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions+1.3 above average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets+1.2 above average

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions+0.9 above average

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General−0.9 below average

E-Mail+0.7 above average

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled+0.7 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2024-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)41%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)27%

Bachelor's Degree14%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)9%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2024-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic7.0

Conventional5.5

Investigative4.2

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Operations Monitoring3.4

Quality Control Analysis3.4

Equipment Maintenance3.2

Troubleshooting3.1

Complex Problem Solving3.1

Time Management3.0

Repairing3.0

Judgment and Decision Making3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Engineering and TechnologyComputers and ElectronicsMathematicsMechanicalProduction and ProcessingEnglish Language

Abilities it leans on

Near VisionOral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityWritten ComprehensionInformation OrderingFinger Dexterity

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.

Fiber SplicerLaser OperatorLaser SpecialistPhotonics EngineerFiber Optics SplicerFiber Optics AssemblerFiber Optics InstructorFiber Optics SpecialistTest Technician (Test Tech)Laser Technician (Laser Tech)Fiber Technician (Fiber Tech)Mobile Technician (Mobile Tech)Ruling Technician (Ruling Tech)Strain Technician (Strain Tech)

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 11

+Microsoft Excel+Microsoft PowerPoint+Microsoft Access+Web browser software+Microsoft Word+Facebook+National Instruments LabVIEW+Dassault Systemes SolidWorks+SAP software+Autodesk AutoCAD+Microsoft Office software

No longer listed 5

−Computer aided design CAD software−Computer aided manufacturing CAM software−Internet browser software−Word processing software−Presentation software

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

Fiber SplicerLaser OperatorTest TechnicianLead TechnicianCoating ManagerLaser TechnicianLaser SpecialistStrain TechnicianRuling TechnicianPhotonics EngineerService TechnicianThin-film Technician

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

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

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

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