Photonics Technicians

Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.

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

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.

Compute or record photonic test data.

Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.

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.

Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment.

Repair or calibrate products, such as surgical lasers.

Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices.

Assist engineers in the development of new products, fixtures, tools, or processes.

Mix, pour, or use processing chemicals or gases according to safety standards or established operating procedures.

Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies.

Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.

Set up or operate prototype or test apparatus, such as control consoles, collimators, recording equipment, or cables.

Design, build, or modify fixtures used to assemble parts.

Monitor mechanical factors, such as turbine load or strain information.

Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors.

Test or perform failure analysis for optomechanical or optoelectrical products, according to test plans.

Assemble or adjust parts or related electrical units of prototypes to prepare for testing.

Splice fibers, using fusion splicing or other techniques.

Recommend optical or optic equipment design or material changes to reduce costs or processing times.

Build prototype optomechanical devices for use in equipment such as aerial cameras, gun sights, or telescopes.

Optimize photonic process parameters by making prototype or production devices.

Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as necessary.

Assemble components of energy-efficient optical communications systems involving photonic switches, optical backplanes, or optoelectronic interfaces.

Lay out cutting lines for machining, using drafting tools.

Fabricate devices, such as optoelectronic or semiconductor devices.

Perform laser seam welding, heat treatment, or hard facing operations.

Build photonics tools to be applied to electrical grids to detect hot spots, such as failing insulators or conductors.

Assemble devices or equipment to be used in green technology applications, including solar energy, high efficiency solid state lighting, energy management, smart buildings, or green processes.

Develop solar power sources for lasers used in fiber optics.

Fabricate sensors to be used to control wind turbines.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
The MathWorks MATLAB
Computer aided design CAD software
ZEMAX Optical Design Program
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Development environment software
National Instruments LabVIEW
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP
Graphics or photo imaging software
Image processing software
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Web page creation and editing software
Facebook
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Dataloggers
Discrete semiconductor devices
Semiconductor detectors
Electrical equipment and components and supplies
Fusion splicers
Electronic manufacturing machinery and equipment and accessories
Die saws
Fire protection
Fire extinguishers
Hand tools
Cutoff saws
Heating and ventilation and air circulation
Laser heat treatment equipment
Industrial optics
Autocollimators
Industrial process machinery and equipment and supplies
Positioning stages
Laboratory and scientific equipment
Collimators
Laboratory supplies and fixtures
Laboratory forceps
Material handling machinery and equipment
Lab jacks
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Bit error rate testers BERT
Metal cutting machinery and accessories
Computerized numerical control CNC lathes
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Hand calculators
Personal safety and protection
Chemical protective face shields
Printed circuits and integrated circuits and microassemblies
Isolators
Raw materials processing machinery
Fiber cleavers
Welding and soldering and brazing machinery and accessories and supplies
Soldering irons
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Engineering and Technology
79%
Importance

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.

Computers and Electronics
76%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mathematics
73%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Mechanical
72%
Importance

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

English Language
69%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Physics
69%
Importance

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.

Design
66%
Importance

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Production and Processing
57%
Importance

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Chemistry
56%
Importance

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Education and Training
56%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Top 10 Skills
Reading Comprehension
73%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Operations Monitoring
70%
Importance

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Active Listening
68%
Importance

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.

Quality Control Analysis
68%
Importance

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Active Learning
65%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Complex Problem Solving
65%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Critical Thinking
65%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Equipment Maintenance
65%
Importance

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Monitoring
65%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Troubleshooting
65%
Importance

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Top 10 Abilities
Problem Sensitivity
73%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Finger Dexterity
70%
Importance

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Information Ordering
70%
Importance

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).

Near Vision
70%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Comprehension
70%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Written Comprehension
70%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression
70%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Oral Expression
68%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Arm-Hand Steadiness
65%
Importance

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Control Precision
65%
Importance

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Top 10 Work Activities
Interacting With Computers
84%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
83%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
82%
Importance

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Getting Information
80%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Documenting/Recording Information
79%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
76%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
76%
Importance

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Controlling Machines and Processes
75%
Importance

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
75%
Importance

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Processing Information
74%
Importance

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Detailed Work Activities

Maintain clean work areas.

Analyze test or validation data.

Document design or operational test results.

Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.

Maintain electronic equipment.

Assemble precision electronics or optical equipment.

Prepare procedural documents.

Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.

Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.

Develop technical methods or processes.

Prepare materials for processing.

Assist engineers or scientists with research.

Operate industrial equipment.

Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.

Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.

Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.

Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.

Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.

Assemble equipment or components.

Install instrumentation or electronic equipment or systems.

Create physical models or prototypes.

Create schematic drawings for electronics.

Fabricate devices or components.

Design alternative energy systems.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

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

How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

Education
Majors   based on the broader career Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
Major
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician
Engineering-Related Fields
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
Military Applied Sciences
Military Systems and Maintenance Technology
Interests
Realistic
100%
Importance

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.

Investigative
77%
Importance

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.

Conventional
58%
Importance

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.

Artistic
34%
Importance

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.

Enterprising
19%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Social
15%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
92%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability
85%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity
80%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Cooperation
78%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Analytical Thinking
77%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Initiative
77%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Persistence
77%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Achievement/Effort
76%
Importance

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Adaptability/Flexibility
76%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Stress Tolerance
73%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Work Values
Achievement
67%
Importance

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.

Support
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Independence
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Recognition
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Relationships
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Working Conditions
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.