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Photonics Engineers

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

Sample of reported job titles: Algorithm Developer, Laser Engineer, Optical Design Engineer, Optical Engineer, Optical Specialist, Optical Systems Engineer, Optoelectronics Engineer, Research and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer), Research Engineer

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Tasks  |  Technology Skills  |  Tools Used  |  Knowledge  |  Skills  |  Abilities  |  Work Activities  |  Detailed Work Activities  |  Work Context  |  Job Zone  |  Education  |  Credentials  |  Interests  |  Work Styles  |  Work Values  |  Related Occupations  |  Wages & Employment  |  Job Openings  |  Additional Information

Tasks

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  • Analyze system performance or operational requirements.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Conduct research on new photonics technologies.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Design photonics products, such as light sources, displays, or photovoltaics, to achieve increased energy efficiency.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Train operators, engineers, or other personnel.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Design gas lasers, solid state lasers, infrared, or other light emitting or light sensitive devices.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Create or maintain photonic design histories.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Oversee or provide expertise on manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication processes.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Determine commercial, industrial, scientific, or other uses for electro-optical applications or devices.See more occupations related to this task.
  • Design solar energy photonics or other materials or devices to generate energy.See more occupations related to this task.

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Technology Skills

Show fewer All 17 displayed     Show 41 tools used
  • Access software — Ciena softwareSee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Analytical or scientific software — Photon Design PICWave; SAS Hot technology ; The MathWorks MATLAB Hot technology ; Wolfram Research Mathematica (see all 11 examples)See more occupations related to this technology.
  • Computer aided design CAD software Hot technology — Autodesk AutoCAD Hot technology ; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Hot technology ; Optiwave OptiFDTD (see all 12 examples)See more occupations related to this technology.
  • Data base user interface and query software — Structure query language SQLSee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Development environment software — Go Hot technology ; Microsoft .NET Framework Hot technology ; Microsoft Visual Basic Hot technology ; National Instruments LabVIEW Hot technology (see all 6 examples)See more occupations related to this technology.
  • Electronic mail software — Microsoft Outlook Hot technologySee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Geographic information system — ESRI ArcGIS software Hot technology ; ESRI software; QGISSee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Map creation software — Mapping softwareSee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Object or component oriented development software — C# Hot technology ; C++ Hot technology ; Oracle Java Hot technology ; Perl Hot technology (see all 5 examples)See more occupations related to this technology.
  • Office suite software — Microsoft Office Hot technologySee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Operating system software — Linux Hot technology ; Shell script Hot technology ; UNIX Hot technologySee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint Hot technologySee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Process mapping and design software — Microsoft Visio Hot technologySee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Program testing software — Debugging softwareSee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel Hot technologySee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Web page creation and editing software — Facebook Hot technologySee more occupations related to this technology.
  • Word processing software — Microsoft Word Hot technologySee more occupations related to this technology.

Hot technology Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.

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Knowledge

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  • Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.See more occupations related to this knowledge.
  • Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.See more occupations related to this knowledge.
  • Physics — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.See more occupations related to this knowledge.
  • Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.See more occupations related to this knowledge.
  • Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.See more occupations related to this knowledge.
  • English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.See more occupations related to this knowledge.
  • Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.See more occupations related to this knowledge.

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Skills

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  • Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Operations Analysis — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Technology Design — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.See more occupations related to this skill.
  • Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.See more occupations related to this skill.

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Abilities

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  • Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Visualization — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.See more occupations related to this ability.
  • Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.See more occupations related to this ability.

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Work Activities

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  • Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Providing Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.See more occupations related to this activity.

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Detailed Work Activities

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  • Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Create physical models or prototypes.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Prepare detailed work plans.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Update technical knowledge.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Prepare research or technical reports.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Write reports or evaluations.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Prepare proposal documents.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Identify new applications for existing technologies.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Research advanced engineering designs or applications.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Train personnel on proper operational procedures.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Fabricate devices or components.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Document technical design details.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Maintain operational records or records systems.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Direct industrial production activities.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Design energy production or management equipment or systems.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Design industrial processing systems.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Operate industrial equipment.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.See more occupations related to this activity.
  • Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.See more occupations related to this activity.

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Work Context

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  • Electronic Mail — 96% responded “Every day.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 96% responded “Every day.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 83% responded “Every day.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 61% responded “Extremely important.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 52% responded “Extremely important.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Contact With Others — 48% responded “Constant contact with others.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Duration of Typical Work Week — 61% responded “More than 40 hours.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Telephone — 65% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 43% responded “Some freedom.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 35% responded “A lot of freedom.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Spend Time Sitting — 74% responded “More than half the time.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Level of Competition — 39% responded “Highly competitive.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Coordinate or Lead Others — 41% responded “Important.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Consequence of Error — 39% responded “Serious.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Time Pressure — 39% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Letters and Memos — 43% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 43% responded “Moderate results.”See more occupations related to this work context.
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 39% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”See more occupations related to this work context.

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Job Zone

Title Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor’s degree, but some do not.
Related Experience A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
SVP Range (7.0 to < 8.0)

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Education


Percentage of Respondents
Education Level Required
52   Bachelor’s degree
38   Master’s degree
5   Associate’s degree

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Credentials

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Interests

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Interest code: IRC   Want to discover your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move.

  • Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.See more occupations related to this interest.
  • Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.See more occupations related to this interest.
  • Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.See more occupations related to this interest.
  • Artistic — Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.See more occupations related to this interest.

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Work Styles

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  • Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Independence — Job requires developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.See more occupations related to this work style.
  • Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.See more occupations related to this work style.

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Work Values

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  • Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.See more occupations related to this work value.
  • Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.See more occupations related to this work value.
  • Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.See more occupations related to this work value.

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Related Occupations

Show fewer All 9 displayed
13-1081.01 Logistics Engineers   Bright Outlook Bright Outlook
17-2011.00 Aerospace Engineers
17-2031.00 Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
17-2071.00 Electrical Engineers
17-2072.00 Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
17-2141.00 Mechanical Engineers
17-2199.03 Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
17-2199.08 Robotics Engineers
17-3026.00 Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

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Wages & Employment Trends

Median wage data for Engineers, All Other.
Employment data for Engineers, All Other.
Industry data for Engineers, All Other.

Median wages (2020) $49.70 hourly, $103,380 annual
State wages
 
Local wages
  
Employment (2020) 167,100 employees
Projected growth (2020-2030) Slower than average (1% to 5%) Slower than average (1% to 5%)
Projected job openings (2020-2030) 11,000
State trends
 
Top industries (2020)
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Manufacturing

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 wage data external site and 2020-2030 employment projections external site. “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

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Job Openings on the Web

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Sources of Additional Information

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Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

  • IEEE Photonics Society external site
  • Optics and Photonics Education Directory external site
  • Society for Information Display external site
  • Society of Women Engineers external site
  • SPIE external site
  • The Optical Society external site

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This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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