Photonics Engineers
Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
Also called: Algorithm Developer · Laser Engineer · Optical Design Engineer · Optical Engineer · Optical Specialist · Optical Systems Engineer
Median pay (national)
$117,750
$62,840–$183,510 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
150,750
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+2.1%
~9,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for photonics engineers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $183,510 versus $62,840 at the bottom 10% — 2.9x. The median of $117,750 leaves roughly 56% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +2.1% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 9,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $167,270, +42% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $58,710 — a 185% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags C++, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, National Instruments LabVIEW, Python as in-demand technologies for this role.
Tailor your resume to Photonics Engineers
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Photonics Engineers
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Science
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- C++
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- Python
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Zemax
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- C
- C#
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Go
- Linux
- Microsoft .NET Framework
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Visual Basic
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
- Design
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Telecommunications