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Photonics Technicians Occupation Detailed Description

Photonics Technicians career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Photonics Technicians

The main tasks and work activities of Photonics Technicians are to supervise engineering or other technical personnel, measure physical or chemical properties of materials or objects, devise research or testing protocols, document design or operational test results. In general, for the Photonics Technicians, quality Control Analysis, reading Comprehension, active Learning, critical Thinking and other 17 skills are required.
Photonics Technicians Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Photonics Technicians jobs.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
0.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
4.17%
Some College Courses
4.17%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
41.67%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
49.99%

Tasks and Work Activities of Photonics Technicians

  • Supervise or direct the work of non-destructive testing trainees or staff.
  • Produce images of objects on film, using radiographic techniques.
  • Evaluate material properties, using radio astronomy, voltage and amperage measurement, or rheometric flow measurement.
  • Develop or use new non-destructive testing methods, such as acoustic emission testing, leak testing, and thermal or infrared testing.
  • Document non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results.
  • Map the presence of imperfections within objects, using sonic measurements.
  • Make radiographic images to detect flaws in objects while leaving objects intact.
  • Visually examine materials, structures, or components for signs of corrosion, metal fatigue, cracks, or other flaws, using tools and equipment such as endoscopes, closed-circuit television systems, and fiber optics.
  • Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures.
  • Identify defects in concrete or other building materials, using thermal or infrared testing.
  • Identify defects in solid materials, using ultrasonic testing techniques.
  • Select, calibrate, or operate equipment used in the non-destructive testing of products or materials.
  • Conduct liquid penetrant tests to locate surface cracks by coating objects with fluorescent dyes, cleaning excess penetrant, and applying developer.
  • Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results.
  • Interpret the results of all methods of non-destructive testing (NDT), such as acoustic emission, electromagnetic, leak, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, neutron radiographic, radiographic, thermal or infrared, ultrasonic, vibration analysis, and visual testing.
  • Examine structures or vehicles such as aircraft, trains, nuclear reactors, bridges, dams, and pipelines, using non-destructive testing techniques.
  • Participate in training or continuing education activities to stay abreast of engineering or industry advances.
  • Assist engineers and scientists in conducting applied research in electrical engineering.
  • Diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electrical components, assemblies, or systems.
  • Set up and operate standard or specialized testing equipment.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Training and Teaching OthersIdentifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTranslating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
  • Measure physical or chemical properties of materials or objects.
  • Devise research or testing protocols.
  • Document design or operational test results.
  • Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
  • Interpret design or operational test results.
  • Test characteristics of materials or structures.
  • Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
  • Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
  • Operate industrial equipment.
  • Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
  • Inspect equipment or systems.
  • Update technical knowledge.
  • Assist engineers or scientists with research.
  • Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
  • Review technical documents to plan work.
  • Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
  • Determine operational criteria or specifications.
  • Document technical design details.
  • Maintain operational records or records systems.

Skills and Abilities for Photonics Technicians

  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active ListeningGiving 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.
  • Operations AnalysisAnalyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Systems EvaluationIdentifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Information OrderingThe 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).
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Number FacilityThe ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Time SharingThe ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
  • Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Sound measuring apparatus or decibel metere.g. Acoustic emissions systems
  • Acoustic sensorse.g. Acoustic testers
  • Voltage or current meterse.g. Amp meters
  • Polarizing microscopese.g. Binocular polarizing microscopes
  • Binocularse.g. Binoculars
  • Ultraviolet UV lampse.g. Black lights
  • Capacitance meterse.g. Capacitance testers
  • Photo attachments for microscopese.g. Charge-coupled device CCD cameras
  • Televisionse.g. Closed circuit television systems
  • X ray radiography examination equipmente.g. Computer assisted tomography CAT inspection equipment
  • Thickness measuring devicese.g. Depth gauges
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Micrometerse.g. Digital micrometers
  • Oscilloscopese.g. Digital oscilloscopes
  • Handheld refractometers or polarimeterse.g. Digital refractometers
  • Digital camcorders or video camerase.g. Digital video cameras
  • Eddy current examination equipmente.g. Eddy current inspection equipment
  • Hoistse.g. Electric hoists
  • Conductivity meterse.g. Electrical conductivity meters
  • Strain gaugese.g. Fiber optic strain sensors
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • ChemistryKnowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge 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.
  • TelecommunicationsKnowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • PhysicsKnowledge 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.