What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other in the U.S. earn more than $78,350 a year — the middle 80% land between $47,030 and $118,330. About 59,930 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$78,350typical pay / year
59,930people in this work
$118,330+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Make3
Assemble optical and laser systems
+Assemble the new optical bench and laser head per the engineering build sheet, align the laser diode to the…
Assemble optical and laser systems
+Assemble the new optical bench and laser head per the engineering build sheet, align the laser diode to the collimating lens, secure fiber pigtails with epoxy, run a basic power and beam profile check, and log results before handing to Sarah in engineering today.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorksjob descriptionsO*NET
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Build optical equipment
+Build the prototype transmitter module from the mechanical drawing, install the coated optics, terminate and…
Build optical equipment
+Build the prototype transmitter module from the mechanical drawing, install the coated optics, terminate and strain-relieve the fibers, perform a continuity and insertion-loss sweep, and leave the completed module with Javier on the bench for electrical hookup tomorrow morning.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADESCOO*NET
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Fabricate devices, such as optoelectronic or semiconductor devices.
+Fabricate the photodiode subassembly: pattern and dice the die per drawing, wirebond to the carrier, apply AR…
Fabricate devices, such as optoelectronic or semiconductor devices.
+Fabricate the photodiode subassembly: pattern and dice the die per drawing, wirebond to the carrier, apply AR coating, bake per process window, measure IV and responsivity, and hand the lot and data to Luis in failure analysis.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Record photonic test data
+Record photonic test data from the bench run: capture power, wavelength, and noise measurements at 1 nm…
Record photonic test data
+Record photonic test data from the bench run: capture power, wavelength, and noise measurements at 1 nm resolution, timestamp each run, annotate anomalies, and upload the CSV to the shared test folder for review by Priya in engineering before 3 PM.
The tools that do the workData acquisitionMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing1
Develop testing procedures
+Develop a step-by-step acceptance test for the receiver: define required instruments, pass/fail thresholds…
Develop testing procedures
+Develop a step-by-step acceptance test for the receiver: define required instruments, pass/fail thresholds for responsivity and dark current, procedures for mounting and alignment, data capture templates, and circulate the draft to Mark and Priya for comments by Friday.
The tools that do the workThe MathWorks MATLABMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptions
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Protecting1
Maintain clean working environments
+Restore the clean room bench: inspect and replace particle filters, wipe down optical tables with approved…
Maintain clean working environments
+Restore the clean room bench: inspect and replace particle filters, wipe down optical tables with approved solvent, rebag coated optics, log room particle counts, and notify Claire in production when the space meets ISO class 5 standards for the next build.
The tools that do the workImage processingjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work15
Design, build, or modify fixtures used to assemble parts.
+Design and deliver fixtures to assemble the new connector housing for batch 42, produce detailed drawings…
Design, build, or modify fixtures used to assemble parts.
+Design and deliver fixtures to assemble the new connector housing for batch 42, produce detailed drawings with critical dimensions, check fit against the prototype from engineering, and flag any interference before shop build next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes SolidWorksO*NET
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Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as necessary.
+Audit current stock of splice holders, ferrules, alignment pins and 1310/1550 test cables, raise orders to…
Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as necessary.
+Audit current stock of splice holders, ferrules, alignment pins and 1310/1550 test cables, raise orders to replenish parts falling below three days of usage, and notify purchasing and the production supervisor by Thursday morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Splice fibers, using fusion splicing or other techniques.
+Splice the twelve loose fibers from panel C into the new pigtail bundle using fusion technique, record loss…
Splice fibers, using fusion splicing or other techniques.
+Splice the twelve loose fibers from panel C into the new pigtail bundle using fusion technique, record loss and reflectance for each joint, and submit the splice log to engineering by end of shift.
The tools that do the workData acquisitionO*NET
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Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors.
+Terminate and cure the six multimode cables for rack B with mechanical connectors, polish endfaces to spec,…
Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors.
+Terminate and cure the six multimode cables for rack B with mechanical connectors, polish endfaces to spec, run insertion loss and backreflection tests, and file the test reports to the job folder before leaving site.
The tools that do the workImage processingO*NET
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Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices.
+Run microscopy and profilometry scans on the latest coating run, analyse thickness and surface roughness…
Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices.
+Run microscopy and profilometry scans on the latest coating run, analyse thickness and surface roughness against tolerances, compile a diagnostic report listing any out-of-spec steps and recommended process adjustments for the engineer.
The tools that do the workThe MathWorks MATLABImage processingO*NET
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Lay out cutting lines for machining, using drafting tools.
+Lay out cutting lines for the aluminum fixture plate for connector jigs, transfer dimensions from the…
Lay out cutting lines for machining, using drafting tools.
+Lay out cutting lines for the aluminum fixture plate for connector jigs, transfer dimensions from the engineering sketch, mark all drill and pocket locations with tolerances, and hand the marked plate to the machinist by Friday noon.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADO*NET
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Mix, pour, or use processing chemicals or gases according to safety standards or established operating procedures.
+Mix and dispense the solvent and activator for the fiber coating process at the bench per the lab safety…
Mix, pour, or use processing chemicals or gases according to safety standards or established operating procedures.
+Mix and dispense the solvent and activator for the fiber coating process at the bench per the lab safety sheet, record batch numbers and expiry in the chemical log, verify fume hood airflow and ask Miguel in engineering if any formulation changes before starting.
The tools that do the workData acquisitionO*NET
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Perform quality control inspections
+Inspect the finished fiber pigtails from yesterday's run, check buffer diameter, endface quality and coating…
Perform quality control inspections
+Inspect the finished fiber pigtails from yesterday's run, check buffer diameter, endface quality and coating adhesion against the inspection checklist, tag any failing parts, log measurements in the QC register and call Priya in production to quarantine the lot if more than three failures appear.
The tools that do the workImage processingjob descriptions
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Test optical equipment
+Set up the OTDR and optical power meter for the new connector batch, run loss and reflectance tests on three…
Test optical equipment
+Set up the OTDR and optical power meter for the new connector batch, run loss and reflectance tests on three sample fibers, save the raw traces with serial numbers, compare to the acceptance limits, and email the summary plus traces to Daniel in engineering if any loss exceeds 0.5 dB.
The tools that do the workThe MathWorks MATLABData acquisitionESCO
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Read blueprints and technical drawings
+Review the assembly drawing for the new splice tray, verify critical dimensions and fiber routing against the…
Read blueprints and technical drawings
+Review the assembly drawing for the new splice tray, verify critical dimensions and fiber routing against the shop layout, note any mismatches, update the markups, and discuss required changes with Lin in design before approving parts for fabrication on Friday.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADESCO
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Develop calibrating procedures
+Draft a step-by-step calibration procedure for the insertion loss bench: list required reference cables,…
Develop calibrating procedures
+Draft a step-by-step calibration procedure for the insertion loss bench: list required reference cables, alignment steps, ambient conditions, pass/fail criteria and data recording format, then send the draft to Sonia in calibration for technical review and pilot it on two fixtures next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Liaise with engineers
+Set a meeting with Daniel and Sonia to review the fiberglass connector redesign, circulate recent test…
Liaise with engineers
+Set a meeting with Daniel and Sonia to review the fiberglass connector redesign, circulate recent test traces, failure logs and proposed tolerance changes, and agree a single-point contact window next Wednesday to lock engineering actions and schedule the prototype run.
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Types of optical instruments
+List every optical instrument we keep in the shop, note its model and connector types, record the calibration…
Types of optical instruments
+List every optical instrument we keep in the shop, note its model and connector types, record the calibration date and most recent fault, and highlight which instruments I should reserve for dispersion, OTDR, insertion loss, and power-meter work this week.
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Apply optical coating
+Prepare the work order to apply the new AR coating to the 1550 nm lens: list lens serial, required coating…
Apply optical coating
+Prepare the work order to apply the new AR coating to the 1550 nm lens: list lens serial, required coating thickness, target reflectance, vacuum cure schedule, required pre-clean steps, who signs off on coating quality, and the deadline of next Thursday.
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Image processing
+capture the splice end face photos, run image processing to check core alignment and insertion loss, save the…
Image processing
+capture the splice end face photos, run image processing to check core alignment and insertion loss, save the pass/fail images and annotated report to the job folder, and notify lead tech Mari if any splice fails.
The tools that do the workImage processingO*NET
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Says who?
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses