Photonics Engineers

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

O*NET-SOC code: 17-2199.07

Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.

Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Very high· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery high
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
Source dataset (XLSX download)
Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.066
0.000Range of values carried here0.745
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
Source dataset (CSV download)
Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.30
0.09Range of values carried here0.70
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Exposed tasks only

26 rated tasks · 20 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (76.9%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.

Source: OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release: gh-main-0471612
License: MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Task (O*NET 30.2)	Claude.aiRaw / share %	APIRaw / share %
Analyze system performance or operational requirements. 17-2199.07	0.0900100.0	0.2600100.0
Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects. 17-2199.07	0.00000.0	—0
Not observed on any surface — 24 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states.
Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links.	—0	—0
Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems.	—0	—0
Determine commercial, industrial, scientific, or other uses for electro-optical applications or devices.	—0	—0
Conduct research on new photonics technologies.	—0	—0
Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.	—0	—0
Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.	—0	—0
Design gas lasers, solid state lasers, infrared, or other light emitting or light sensitive devices.	—0	—0
Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features.	—0	—0
Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.	—0	—0
Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.	—0	—0
Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.	—0	—0
Create or maintain photonic design histories.	—0	—0
Oversee or provide expertise on manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication processes.	—0	—0
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.	—0	—0
Train operators, engineers, or other personnel.	—0	—0
Design photonics products, such as light sources, displays, or photovoltaics, to achieve increased energy efficiency.	—0	—0
Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes.	—0	—0
Select, purchase, set up, operate, or troubleshoot state-of-the-art laser cutting equipment.	—0	—0
Design laser machining equipment for purposes such as high-speed ablation.	—0	—0
Develop laser-processed designs, such as laser-cut medical devices.	—0	—0
Design or develop new crystals for photonics applications.	—0	—0
Design or redesign optical fibers to minimize energy loss.	—0	—0
Design solar energy photonics or other materials or devices to generate energy.	—0	—0
Develop photonics sensing or manufacturing technologies to improve the efficiency of manufacturing or related processes.	—0	—0

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.

Task (O*NET 27.2)	βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Design laser machining equipment for purposes such as high-speed ablation. O*NET Task ID 18190	1.0
Create or maintain photonic design histories. O*NET Task ID 18203	1.0
Design or develop new crystals for photonics applications. O*NET Task ID 19662	1.0
Design or redesign optical fibers to minimize energy loss. O*NET Task ID 19663	1.0
Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects. O*NET Task ID 21055	1.0
Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes. O*NET Task ID 21056	1.0
Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems. O*NET Task ID 18189	0.5
Develop laser-processed designs, such as laser-cut medical devices. O*NET Task ID 18191	0.5
Determine commercial, industrial, scientific, or other uses for electro-optical applications or devices. O*NET Task ID 18192	0.5
Conduct research on new photonics technologies. O*NET Task ID 18193	0.5
Analyze system performance or operational requirements. O*NET Task ID 18195	0.5
Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components. O*NET Task ID 18196	0.5
Design gas lasers, solid state lasers, infrared, or other light emitting or light sensitive devices. O*NET Task ID 18197	0.5
Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features. O*NET Task ID 18198	0.5
Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems. O*NET Task ID 18200	0.5
Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production. O*NET Task ID 18202	0.5
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field. O*NET Task ID 18205	0.5
Design photonics products, such as light sources, displays, or photovoltaics, to achieve increased energy efficiency. O*NET Task ID 19664	0.5
Design solar energy photonics or other materials or devices to generate energy. O*NET Task ID 19665	0.5
Develop photonics sensing or manufacturing technologies to improve the efficiency of manufacturing or related processes. O*NET Task ID 19666	0.5
Show 10 more tasks ▾Show less ▴
Select, purchase, set up, operate, or troubleshoot state-of-the-art laser cutting equipment. O*NET Task ID 18187	0.0
Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links. O*NET Task ID 18188	0.0
Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components. O*NET Task ID 18194	0.0
Develop or test photonic prototypes or models. O*NET Task ID 18199	0.0
Oversee or provide expertise on manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication processes. O*NET Task ID 18204	0.0
Train operators, engineers, or other personnel. O*NET Task ID 18206	0.0

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (26)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)	Type
Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links.	Core
Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems.	Core
Determine commercial, industrial, scientific, or other uses for electro-optical applications or devices.	Core
Conduct research on new photonics technologies.	Core
Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.	Core
Analyze system performance or operational requirements.	Core
Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.	Core
Design gas lasers, solid state lasers, infrared, or other light emitting or light sensitive devices.	Core
Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features.	Core
Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.	Core
Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.	Core
Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.	Core
Create or maintain photonic design histories.	Core
Oversee or provide expertise on manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication processes.	Core
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.	Core
Train operators, engineers, or other personnel.	Core
Design photonics products, such as light sources, displays, or photovoltaics, to achieve increased energy efficiency.	Core
Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.	Core
Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes.	Core
Select, purchase, set up, operate, or troubleshoot state-of-the-art laser cutting equipment.	Supplemental
Design laser machining equipment for purposes such as high-speed ablation.	Supplemental
Develop laser-processed designs, such as laser-cut medical devices.	Supplemental
Design or develop new crystals for photonics applications.	Supplemental
Design or redesign optical fibers to minimize energy loss.	Supplemental
Design solar energy photonics or other materials or devices to generate energy.	Supplemental
Develop photonics sensing or manufacturing technologies to improve the efficiency of manufacturing or related processes.	Supplemental

Anthropic, "What work can robots do?"2026-09

0.38/ 3· Robot exposure index

0 none3 unstructured settings

Scale, basis and source

Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time

Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks

Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.

Source dataset

The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.

Tier of each physical task

Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)

E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site

Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.

Task (O*NET 29.3)	Robot environment tier
Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Conduct research on new photonics technologies.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.	E0 none
Select, purchase, set up, operate, or troubleshoot state-of-the-art laser cutting equipment.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Develop photonics sensing or manufacturing technologies to improve the efficiency of manufacturing or related processes.	E0 none

Employment outlook (BLS)

Values for the whole SOC 17-2199 group (Engineers, all other), not for this O*NET occupation alone.

Employment, 2025: 167K
Projected employment, 2035: 173K
Change (2025–35): +3.7%
Median annual wage, 2025: $122,930
Typical education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree

lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO code	KSCO title	Relation	Status
23439	그 외 전자공학 기술자 및 연구원	Related, not a match	confirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

ISCO-08 2149Engineering Professionals Not Elsewhere Classified

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

This unit group covers engineering professionals not classified elsewhere in Minor Group 214: Engineering Professionals (excluding Electrotechnology) or in Minor Group 215: Electrotechnology Engineers. For instance, the group includes those who conduct research and advise on or develop engineering procedures and solutions concerning workplace safety, biomedical engineering, optics, materials, nuclear power generation and explosives.

Tasks

In such cases tasks would include -
(a) applying knowledge of engineering to the design, development and evaluation of biological and health systems and products such as artificial organs, prostheses and instrumentation;
(b) designing devices used in various medical procedures and imaging systems such as magnetic resonance imaging, and devices for automating insulin injections or controlling body functions;
(c) designing components of optical instruments such as lenses, microscopes, telescopes, lasers, optical disc systems and other equipment that utilize the properties of light;
(d) designing, testing, and coordinating the development of explosive ordnance material to meet military procurement specifications;
(e) designing and overseeing construction and operation of nuclear reactors and power plants and nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems;
(f) designing and developing nuclear equipment such as reactor cores, radiation shielding and associated instrumentation and control mechanisms;
(g) assessing damage and providing calculations for marine salvage operations;
(h) studying and advising on engineering aspects of particular manufacturing processes, such as those related to glass, ceramics, textiles, leather products, wood and printing;
(i) identifying potential hazards and introducing safety procedures and devices.

Example occupations

Biomedical engineer · Explosive ordnance engineer · Marine salvage engineer · Materials engineer · Nuclear power generation engineer · Optical engineer · Quantity surveyor · Safety engineer

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

photonics engineerESCO 2149.10.1Same scope
Photonics engineers are concerned with the generation, transmission, transformation, and detection of light. They conduct research, design, assemble, test and deploy photonic components or systems in multiple application fields, from optical communications to medical instrumentation, material processing or sensing technology.
optical engineerESCO 2149.10Overlapping, not the same
Optical engineers design and develop different industrial applications with optics. They have knowledge of light, light transmission principles, and optics in order to design engineering specs of equipment such as microscopes, lenses, telescopes, and other optical devices.
optoelectronic engineerESCO 2152.1.8Overlapping, not the same
Optoelectronic engineers design and develop optoelectronic systems and devices, such as UV sensors, photodiodes, and LEDs. Optoelectronic engineering combines optical engineering with electronic engineering in the design of these systems and devices. They conduct research, perform analysis, test the devices, and supervise the research.
optoelectronic engineering technicianESCO 3114.1.8Overlapping, not the same
Optoelectronic engineering technicians collaborate with engineers in the development of optoelectronic systems and components, such as photodiodes, optical sensors, lasers and LED's. Optoelectronic engineering technicians build, test, install and calibrate optoelectronic equipment. They read blueprint and other technical drawings to develop testing and calibrating procedures.
photonics engineering technicianESCO 3119.11Overlapping, not the same
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.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME code	ROME title (French)	Relation
H1206	Ingénieur / Ingénieure R&D en industrie	This occupation is narrowerprovisional
K2402	Ingénieur / Ingénieure de recherche scientifique	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 code	CNO-11 title (Spanish)	Relation
2439	Ingenieros no clasificados bajo otros epígrafes	This occupation is narrower
2442	Ingenieros electrónicos	Related, not a match

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB code	KldB title (German)	Relation
24244	Berufe in der Metallbearbeitung durch Laserstrahl - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten	This occupation is broaderprovisional
26384	Berufe in der Elektrotechnik (sonstige spezifische Tätigkeitsangabe) - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten	Overlapping, not the same
24514	Berufe in der Feinwerktechnik - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten	Related, not a match
41414	Berufe im physikalisch-technischen Laboratorium - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO code	JSCO title (Japanese)	Relation
072	電気・電子・電気通信技術者（通信ネットワーク技術者を除く）（開発）	Related, not a matchprovisional
073	機械技術者（開発）	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources