Jobs / Architecture and engineering / 17-2199.07
Photonics Engineers
Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
- US jobs
- 154,070 (SOC 17-2199 group, "Engineers, All Other")
- Median wage
- $122,930 a year
- Job family
- Architecture and engineering
Can agents do the work of photonics engineers?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Architecture and engineering: Some tasks (first measured in the last 12 months)
Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.
Evidence: HWE-Bench, 79.9% of tasks completed.
Direct evidence that disagrees: Parametric CAD Bench V3, 9% of tasks fully completed (Perfect tasks).
0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark (figures for the SOC 17-2199 group).
- 7%Design electrical or electronic systems or equipmentNot measured
- 5%Design industrial systems or equipmentNot measured
- 5%Research technology designs or applicationsNot measured
- 5%Create visual designs or displaysNot measured
- 4%Direct organizational operations, activities, or proceduresNot measured
- 4%Develop models of systems, processes, or productsNot measured
- 3%Document technical designs, procedures, or activitiesNot measured
- 3%Advise others on business or operational mattersNot measured
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in architecture and engineering, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
- 61%Claude Opus 5.5 (max) with Claude Code 2.1.280 · 24 Sep 2026Strong
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
- 64.8%Claude Code + Opus 5.5 (max) · 6 Oct 2026Strong
Context only
These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- Analyze system performance or operational requirements.
- Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.
- Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.
- Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.
- Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
- Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.
- Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.
- Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features.
- Conduct research on new photonics technologies.
- Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems.
- Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes.
Other job titles for this occupation (23)
Algorithm Developer · Laser Engineer · Optical Design Engineer · Optical Engineer · Optical Specialist · Optical Systems Engineer · Optoelectronics Engineer · Research and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer) · Research Engineer · Display Engineer · DWDM Optical Network Engineer (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Optical Network Engineer) · Electro-optical Engineer · Electro-optics Engineer · Engineer · Fiber Optics Engineer · Laser Systems Engineer · Optical Manufacturing Engineer · Optical Network Engineer · Optical Test Engineer · Optics Engineer · Opto-Mechanical Engineer · Optomechanical Engineer · Photonics Engineer