Photonics Engineers

People in this career often have these skills:

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

People in this career often know a lot about:

• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

People in this career often have talent in:

• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

People in this career often do these activities:

• Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
• Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
• Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
• Create physical models or prototypes.
• Prepare detailed work plans.

• Update technical knowledge.
• Prepare research or technical reports.
• Write reports or evaluations.
• Prepare proposal documents.
• Identify new applications for existing technologies.
• Research advanced engineering designs or applications.
• Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
• Fabricate devices or components.
• Maintain operational records or records systems.
• Document technical design details.
• Direct industrial production activities.
• Design energy production or management equipment or systems.
• Design industrial processing systems.
• Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
• Operate industrial equipment.
• Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.

• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

• Electrical Engineers

• Mechanical Engineers

• Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

• Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

• Aerospace Engineers

• Logistics Engineers

• Robotics Engineers

• Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar