Photonics Engineering Technician Science & Engineering Technicians
SaveWhat Does a Photonics Engineering Technician Do?
Photonics engineering technicians collaborate with engineers in the development of photonic systems or components, usually in the form of optical equipment, such as lasers, lenses, and fibre optic equipment. Photonics engineering technicians build, test, install and calibrate optical equipment. They read blueprint and other technical drawings to develop testing and calibrating procedures.
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Where Do I Start?
Optical Engineering
Subdiscipline of engineering that deals with the development of optical instruments and applications, such as telescopes, microscopes, lenses, lasers, fibre optic communication, and imaging systems.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Photonics Engineering Technician
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialOptical Engineering knowledge
Subdiscipline of engineering that deals with the development of optical instruments and applications, such as telescopes, microscopes, lenses, lasers, fibre optic communication, and imaging systems.
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EssentialPhotonics knowledge
The science and technology of generating, controlling and detecting particles of light. It explores phenomena and applications in which light is used to transfer or process information, or to physically …
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EssentialRefractive Power knowledge
Refractive power or optical power is the degree to which an optical system, such as a lens, converges or diverges light. Diverging lenses possess negative refractive power, while converging lenses …
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EssentialOptoelectronics knowledge
Branch of electronics and optics dedicated to the study and use of electronic devices that detect and control light.
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EssentialLasers knowledge
Devices that are able to produce light through the optical amplification of the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation, such as gas lasers, solid-state lasers, fiber lasers, photonic lasers and semiconductor …
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EssentialOptical Equipment Standards knowledge
The national and international quality and safety standards and regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of optical equipment, including optical materials, optical components, optical systems, ophthalmic equipment, optomechanical …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialOptical Glass Characteristics knowledge
The characteristics of optical glass such as refractive index, dispersion, and chemical properties.
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EssentialOptics knowledge
The science that studies the elements and reaction of light.
Recommended Books
3 books -
EssentialTypes Of Optical Instruments knowledge
Possess information on the types of optical instruments and lenses, such as microscopes and telescopes, as well as on their mechanics, components, and characteristics.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialOptical Manufacturing Process knowledge
The process and different stages of manufacturing an optical product, from design and prototyping to the preparation of optical components and lenses, the assembly of optical equipment, and the intermediate …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialDesign Drawings knowledge
Understand design drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialOptical Components knowledge
The components and materials necessary for building optical instruments, such as lenses and frames.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialAdjust Engineering Designs skill
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAlign Components skill
Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist Scientific Research skill
Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFasten Components skill
Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInspect Quality Of Products skill
Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialLiaise With Engineers skill
Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Optical Assembly Equipment skill
Set up and operate optical processing or assembly equipment, such as optical spectrum analysers, power saws, lasers, die bonders, soldering irons, and wire bonders.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Test Run skill
Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Production Prototypes skill
Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRead Engineering Drawings skill
Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRecord Test Data skill
Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTest Optical Components skill
Test optical systems, products, and components with appropriate optical testing methods, such as axial ray testing and oblique ray testing.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Optical Coating skill
Apply coating to optical lenses, such as reflective coating to mirrors, anti-reflective coatings to camera lenses, or tinted coatings to sunglasses.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssemble Optoelectronics skill
Prepare, construct, and assemble optoelectronic components and systems, such as lasers and imaging systems, using soldering, micro-fabrication, and polishing techniques.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialClean Optical Components skill
Clean optical components after every cycle in the manufacturing process.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMount Optical Components On Frames skill
Mount optical components, such as lenses, and precision mechanical components, such as frames, into assemblies and adjust. Lenses are mechanically set into place using threaded retaining rings and the use …
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 31 displayed)
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OptionalCircuit Diagrams knowledge
Read and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.
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OptionalMicrooptics knowledge
Optical devices with a size of 1 millimeter or smaller, such as microlenses and micromirrors.
Recommended Books
3 books -
OptionalSemiconductors knowledge
Semiconductors are essential components of electronic circuits and contain properties of both insulators, such as glass, and conductors, such as copper. Most semiconductors are crystals made of silicon or germanium. …
Recommended Books
3 books -
OptionalMicroprocessors knowledge
Computer processors on a microscale that integrate the computer central processing unit (CPU) on a single chip.
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OptionalEngineering Principles knowledge
The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalMicrosensors knowledge
Devices with a size smaller than 1 mm that can convert a non-electric signal, such as temperature, into an electrical signal. Because of their size, microsensors offer better accuracy, range, …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalMOEM knowledge
Micro-opto-electro-mechanics (MOEM) combines microelectronics, microoptics and micromechanics in the development of MEM devices with optical features, such as optical switches, optical cross-connects, and microbolometers.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalFibre Optics knowledge
The technology which utilises optical fibre, such as plastic or glass threads, to transmit data. Optical fibres are able to transmit light between the two ends of the fibre and …
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OptionalOptomechanical Components knowledge
Components that possess mechanical and optical features, such as optical mirrors, optical mounts, and optical fibre.
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OptionalElectromagnetic Spectrum knowledge
The different electromagnetic wavelenghts or frequencies that are situated on the electromagnetic spectrum. Wavelenghts are divided in several categories according to their wavelength and energy level, starting from radio wavelenghts …
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalElectrooptic Devices knowledge
Optical devices, systems, and components that possess electrical or electronic features, such as lasers or electrooptic modulators.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalOptoelectronic Devices knowledge
Electronic devices, systems, and components that possess optical features. These devices or components may include electrically driven light sources, such as LEDs and laser diodes, components that can convert light …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalPrinted Circuit Boards knowledge
Printed circuit boards (PCB) are essential components to almost all electronic devices. They consist of thin wafers or substrates on which electronic components, such as microchips, are placed. The electronic …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalCAE Software knowledge
The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalDigital Camera Sensors knowledge
Types of sensors used in digital cameras, such as charged coupled devices (CCD) and complementary metal oxide semiconductor sensors (CMOS).
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalFirmware knowledge
Firmware is a software program with a read-only memory (ROM) and a set of instructions that is permanently inscribed on a hardware device. Firmware is commonly used in electronic systems …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalCAD Software knowledge
The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalElectronics knowledge
The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalMechanics knowledge
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalSensors knowledge
Sensors are transducers that can detect or sense characteristics in their environment. They detect changes in the apparatus or environment and provide a corresponding optical or electrical signal. Sensors are …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalApply Technical Communication Skills skill
Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalIntegrate New Products In Manufacturing skill
Assist with the integration of new systems, products, methods, and components in the production line. Ensure that production workers are properly trained and follow the new requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Records Of Work Progress skill
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Optical Equipment skill
Diagnose and detect malfunctions in optical systems, such as lasers, microscopes, and oscilloscopes. Remove, replace, or repair these systems or system components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMonitor Machine Operations skill
Observe machine operations and evaluate product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProgram Firmware skill
Program permanent software with a read-only memory (ROM) on a hardware device, such as an integrated circuit.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalResolve Equipment Malfunctions skill
Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse CAM Software skill
Use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWrite Technical Reports skill
Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCalibrate Optical Instruments skill
Correct and adjust the reliability of optical instruments, such as photometers, polarimeters, and spectrometers, by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInspect Optical Supplies skill
Check optical materials for damage, such as scratches, before using the material.
Course recommendations coming soon.