Photonics Technicians

17-3029.08

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

Occupation-Specific Information

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.
• 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.
• Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.
• Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies.
• Set up or operate prototype or test apparatus, such as control consoles, collimators, recording equipment, or cables.
• 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.
• Recommend optical or optic equipment design or material changes to reduce costs or processing times.
• Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as necessary.
• Repair or calibrate products, such as surgical lasers.
• Monitor mechanical factors, such as turbine load or strain information.
• Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors.
• Design, build, or modify fixtures used to assemble parts.
• Splice fibers, using fusion splicing or other techniques.
• Optimize photonic process parameters by making prototype or production devices.
• Build prototype optomechanical devices for use in equipment such as aerial cameras, gun sights, or telescopes.
• 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.
• Perform laser seam welding, heat treatment, or hard facing operations.
• Fabricate devices, such as optoelectronic or semiconductor devices.
• 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

• Analytical or scientific software - Data acquisition software; Statistical analysis software; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥; Computer aided design CAD software; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks 🔥; ZEMAX Optical Design Program
• Computer aided manufacturing CAM software - Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
• Data base user interface and query software - Database software; Microsoft Access 🔥
• Development environment software - National Instruments LabVIEW
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Enterprise resource planning ERP software; SAP software 🔥
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Image processing software
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥; Presentation software
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥
• Web page creation and editing software - Facebook 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• 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.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• 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.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• 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.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• 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.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

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.