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Careers / Photonics Technicians |
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Summary Description |
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Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment. |
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Sample Job Titles |
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1. |
Coating Manager |
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2. |
Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech) |
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3. |
Engineering Technologist |
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4. |
Fiber Optic Assembler |
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5. |
Fiber Optic Technician |
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6. |
Fiber Optics Supervisor |
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7. |
Fiber Optics Technician |
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8. |
Laser Specialist |
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9. |
Laser Technician |
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10. |
Laser/Electro-Optics Technician (LEOT) |
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11. |
Lead Technician |
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12. |
Optical Engineering Technician |
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13. |
Optical Fabrication Technician |
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14. |
Optical Manufacturing Technician |
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15. |
Optics Manufacturing Technician |
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16. |
Optics Test Technician |
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17. |
Optoelectronic Technician |
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18. |
Optomechanical Technician |
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19. |
Photonic Laboratory Technician (Photonic Lab Tech) |
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20. |
Photonics Engineering Technician |
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21. |
Photonics Engineering Technologist |
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22. |
Photonics Technician |
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23. |
Precision Optics Technician |
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24. |
Ruling Technician |
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25. |
Service Technician |
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26. |
Strain Technician |
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27. |
Test Technician |
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28. |
Thin-film Technician |
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Job Tasks |
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Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.
- Maintain clean work areas.
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Compute or record photonic test data.
- Analyze test or validation data.
- Document design or operational test results.
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Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.
- Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
- Maintain electronic equipment.
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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.
- Assemble precision electronics or optical equipment.
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Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment.
- Prepare procedural documents.
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Repair or calibrate products, such as surgical lasers.
- Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
- Maintain electronic equipment.
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Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices.
- Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
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Assist engineers in the development of new products, fixtures, tools, or processes.
- Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
- Develop technical methods or processes.
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Mix, pour, or use processing chemicals or gases according to safety standards or established operating procedures.
- Prepare materials for processing.
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Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.
- Assist engineers or scientists with research.
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Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies.
- Assemble precision electronics or optical equipment.
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Set up or operate prototype or test apparatus, such as control consoles, collimators, recording equipment, or cables.
- Operate industrial equipment.
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Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors.
- Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
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Monitor mechanical factors, such as turbine load or strain information.
- Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.
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Design, build, or modify fixtures used to assemble parts.
- Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
- Assemble equipment or components.
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Test or perform failure analysis for optomechanical or optoelectrical products, according to test plans.
- Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.
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Assemble or adjust parts or related electrical units of prototypes to prepare for testing.
- Assemble precision electronics or optical equipment.
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Splice fibers, using fusion splicing or other techniques.
- Install instrumentation or electronic equipment or systems.
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Recommend optical or optic equipment design or material changes to reduce costs or processing times.
- Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
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Optimize photonic process parameters by making prototype or production devices.
- Create physical models or prototypes.
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Build prototype optomechanical devices for use in equipment such as aerial cameras, gun sights, or telescopes.
- Create physical models or prototypes.
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Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as necessary.
- Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
- Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.
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Assemble components of energy-efficient optical communications systems involving photonic switches, optical backplanes, or optoelectronic interfaces.
- Assemble precision electronics or optical equipment.
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Lay out cutting lines for machining, using drafting tools.
- Create schematic drawings for electronics.
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Perform laser seam welding, heat treatment, or hard facing operations.
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Fabricate devices, such as optoelectronic or semiconductor devices.
- Fabricate devices or components.
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Build photonics tools to be applied to electrical grids to detect hot spots, such as failing insulators or conductors.
- Assemble precision electronics or optical equipment.
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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 precision electronics or optical equipment.
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Develop solar power sources for lasers used in fiber optics.
- Design alternative energy systems.
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Fabricate sensors to be used to control wind turbines.
- Fabricate devices or components.
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Work Activities |
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Interacting With Computers —
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems —
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
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Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings —
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
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Getting Information —
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
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Documenting/Recording Information —
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates —
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material —
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
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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. |
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Controlling Machines and Processes —
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
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Processing Information —
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge —
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
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Analyzing Data or Information —
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
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Thinking Creatively —
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
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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. |
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Training and Teaching Others —
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events —
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
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Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People —
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
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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. |
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others —
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
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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. |
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Handling and Moving Objects —
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships —
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work —
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
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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. |
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Developing and Building Teams —
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
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Monitoring and Controlling Resources —
Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money. |
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Coaching and Developing Others —
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
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Provide Consultation and Advice to Others —
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
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Developing Objectives and Strategies —
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
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Communicating with Persons Outside 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. |
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Scheduling Work and Activities —
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
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Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others —
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
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Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates —
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
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Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others —
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
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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 of materials. |
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Performing Administrative Activities —
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
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Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment —
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft. |
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Interesting Fact |
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The average American will hold 10 different jobs by the time they are 36. |
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Did you know... |
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The MyPlan.com Majors Database provides detailed profiles on more than 1,100 different majors and degree programs available in the U.S. |
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