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Photonics Technicians - 17-3029.08

O*NET-SOC Description

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

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Fiber Optics Technician
  • Laser Technician (Laser Tech)
  • Optomechanical Technician
  • Photonic Laboratory Technician (Photonic Lab Tech)
  • Photonics Technician
  • Ruling Technician

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.
  • Assemble components of energy-efficient optical communications systems involving photonic switches, optical backplanes, or optoelectronic interfaces.
  • 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.
  • Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies.
  • Assemble or adjust parts or related electrical units of prototypes to prepare for testing.
  • Assist engineers in the development of new products, fixtures, tools, or processes.
  • Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.
  • Build photonics tools to be applied to electrical grids to detect hot spots, such as failing insulators or conductors.
  • Build prototype optomechanical devices for use in equipment such as aerial cameras, gun sights, or telescopes.
  • Compute or record photonic test data.
  • Design, build, or modify fixtures used to assemble parts.
  • Develop solar power sources for lasers used in fiber optics.
  • Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment.
  • Fabricate devices, such as optoelectronic or semiconductor devices.
  • Fabricate sensors to be used to control wind turbines.
  • Lay out cutting lines for machining, using drafting tools.
  • Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.
  • Mix, pour, or use processing chemicals or gases according to safety standards or established operating procedures.
  • Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as necessary.
  • Monitor mechanical factors, such as turbine load or strain information.
  • Optimize photonic process parameters by making prototype or production devices.
  • Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices.
  • Perform laser seam welding, heat treatment, or hard facing operations.
  • Recommend optical or optic equipment design or material changes to reduce costs or processing times.
  • Repair or calibrate products, such as surgical lasers.
  • 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.
  • Set up or operate prototype or test apparatus, such as control consoles, collimators, recording equipment, or cables.
  • Splice fibers, using fusion splicing or other techniques.
  • Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors.
  • Test or perform failure analysis for optomechanical or optoelectrical products, according to test plans.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
  • Analyze test or validation data.
  • Assemble equipment or components.
  • Assemble precision electronics or optical equipment.
  • Assist engineers or scientists with research.
  • Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
  • Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.
  • Create physical models or prototypes.
  • Create schematic drawings for electronics.
  • Design alternative energy systems.
  • Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
  • Develop technical methods or processes.
  • Document design or operational test results.
  • Fabricate devices or components.
  • Install instrumentation or electronic equipment or systems.
  • Maintain clean work areas.
  • Maintain electronic equipment.
  • Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
  • Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.
  • Operate industrial equipment.
  • Prepare materials for processing.
  • Prepare procedural documents.
  • Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.
  • Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
  • Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Electronics Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Electronics Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Fire Controlman (AEGIS) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Fire Controlman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • GCS MK 160 MOD 8/OSS MK 46 MOD 1 Fire Control Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Gun Computer System (GCS) MK 160 MOD 11/Electro-Optical Sensor System (EOSS) MK 20 MOD 0 Fire Control Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Scientific Applications Specialist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • SSDS MK-2 Maintenance Technician (Navy - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Optics Manufacturing Technician

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Laser Technician