What Do Photonics Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Photonics Technicians build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment. They also maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Repair or calibrate products, such as surgical lasers.
• Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices.

We asked Photonics Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Photonics Technicians maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards. They adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.

A typical day for a Photonics Technician will also include:

• Compute or record photonic test data.
• 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.
• 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.
• Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as necessary.

We asked some Photonics Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Photonics Technicians also assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies. They may also monitor mechanical factors, such as turbine load or strain information.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Photonics Technicians Build photonics tools to be applied to electrical grids to detect hot spots, such as failing insulators or conductors. They might also Mix, pour, or use processing chemicals or gases according to safety standards or established operating procedures.

In addition, they Test or perform failure analysis for optomechanical or optoelectrical products, according to test plans.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Set up or operate prototype or test apparatus, such as control consoles, collimators, recording equipment, or cables.

To some Photonics Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Lay out cutting lines for machining, using drafting tools.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Photonics Technician, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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