According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Analyze system performance or operational requirements. | 82% |
| Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems. | 81% |
| Develop or test photonic prototypes or models. | 80% |
| Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components. | 79% |
| Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production. | 77% |
| Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field. | 75% |
| Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects. | 74% |
| Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components. | 73% |
| Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features. | 73% |
| Conduct research on new photonics technologies. | 72% |
| Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems. | 71% |
| Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes. | 71% |
| Design photonics products, such as light sources, displays, or photovoltaics, to achieve increased energy efficiency. | 68% |
| Train operators, engineers, or other personnel. | 68% |
| Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links. | 65% |
| Design gas lasers, solid state lasers, infrared, or other light emitting or light sensitive devices. | 64% |
| Create or maintain photonic design histories. | 64% |
| Oversee or provide expertise on manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication processes. | 64% |
| Determine commercial, industrial, scientific, or other uses for electro-optical applications or devices. | 61% |
| Design solar energy photonics or other materials or devices to generate energy. | 60% |
| Design or redesign optical fibers to minimize energy loss. | 53% |
| Develop photonics sensing or manufacturing technologies to improve the efficiency of manufacturing or related processes. | 53% |
| Develop laser-processed designs, such as laser-cut medical devices. | 50% |
| Design or develop new crystals for photonics applications. | 47% |
| Design laser machining equipment for purposes such as high-speed ablation. | 46% |
| Select, purchase, set up, operate, or troubleshoot state-of-the-art laser cutting equipment. | 41% |
