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Also called dense wavelength division multiplexing optical network engineer, display engineer, dwdm optical network engineer and electro optical engineer.
$122,930
Median pay a year
154,070
People do this work
6
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Pay and headcount are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lines are written from what the US Department of Labor records about this work.
An example
A Photonics Engineer resume, filled in
Every line below comes from the same public record as the rest of this page. The greyed parts are the ones only you can answer.
Photonics Engineer
1 certification
Summary
Photonics engineer designing technologies for light information and energy, analyzing system performance, developing optical systems, and conducting testing for functionality and optimization
Experience
Photonics Engineer
Where you worked
Month Year to Month Year
Analyzed system performance and operational requirements for photonics applications
Developed optical and imaging systems, including optical components and signal process technologies
Conducted testing to determine functionality and optimization of photonics systems and components
Designed and integrated photonics systems, ensuring alignment with product objectives
Wrote reports and proposals related to photonics research and development projects
Trained operators and engineers on photonics systems and technologies
Documented photonics system design processes, including objectives and outcomes
Skills
Core Skills
Designing electronic equipment, Testing systems or equipment, Identifying new tech applications, Preparing research reports, Writing reports or evaluations, Researching advanced engineering designs, Analyzing operational data, Updating technical knowledge, Preparing detailed work plans, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, National Instruments LabVIEW, The MathWorks MATLAB, Selecting tools
Tools and software
C++, Python, Zemax
Open to
On site, Remote
Education
Bachelor's Degree Your college, Year
Certifications & Licenses
State license for this work Your state board, Year
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What to put on a Photonics Engineer resume
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What did you do each day?
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Analyzed system performance and operational requirementsDeveloped optical and imaging systemsTested photonic prototypes and modelsDesigned and integrated photonics systemsAssisted in transitioning prototypes to productionWrote reports on photonics research projects
becomes
On your resume
Analyzed system performance and operational requirements to enhance photonic applications
Tested photonic prototypes and models, ensuring functionality and reliability
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Show what improved because of your analysis
The line
Analyzed system performance and operational requirements, increasing efficiency of photonic systems
Show what improved because of your analysis
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Increased efficiency of photonic systemsReduced errors in system performanceImproved overall application reliability
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Mention what was achieved through your testing
The line
Tested photonic prototypes and models, ensuring functionality and reliability
Mention what was achieved through your testing
Pick one that fits
Led to successful prototype transitionsEnhanced product development timelinesImproved design accuracy and performance
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In your wordsAdd it
Adding it to the line…
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What it is made of
Skills for a Photonics Engineer resume
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What are you good at?
Designing electronic equipment
Testing systems or equipment
Identifying new tech applications
Preparing research reports
Writing reports or evaluations
Researching advanced engineering designs
Analyzing operational data
Selecting tools
Updating technical knowledge
Preparing detailed work plans
Fabricating devices or components
Operating industrial equipment
The work itself
What a Photonics Engineer does
The public record of what this job is, in one paragraph.
Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
What it pays
How much does a Photonics Engineer make?
Annual pay across the United States. The middle figure is the median: half earn less than that, and half earn more.
25th percentile
$90,970
Median
$122,930
75th percentile
$158,090
About 154,070 people do this work in the United States.
optical network engineer, optical systems engineer, optical test engineer, optics engineer, opto mechanical engineer, optoelectronics engineer, optomechanical engineer, R and D engineer, research and development engineer, research engineer, algorithm developer, optical specialist.
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This page is about the occupation Photonics Engineers. What this job involves and what it is made of come from O*NET 30.3, the US Department of Labor's occupation database, refreshed July 2026; Rung writes those records into the plain sentences you see. Pay comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS release for 2025. Rung is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by either agency. How Rung handles accuracy is on the accuracy page, and the full data credits are on the credits page.