Engineering
Research & Development
Degree
Photonics Engineer
Design and develop devices and systems that use light, such as lasers, optical fibres, sensors and photonic integrated circuits.
A day in the life
Model optical components, test lasers or fibre systems, and work with clean-room fabrication teams to build photonic chips.
Entry routes
- A-level Physics + Maths (+ Further Maths useful)
- Physics, Photonics or Electrical Engineering degree
- MSc/PhD for R&D roles
Typical salary
- Starter
- £27,000-£35,000
- Experienced
- £42,000-£60,000
- Senior
- £75,000+
Specialist laser and semiconductor photonics roles can exceed these ranges.
Salary range checked against UK Photonics Leadership Group.
UK employers
- Coherent Scotland
- Leonardo UK
- Wave Photonics
- National Physical Laboratory
Worldwide employers
- II-VI / Coherent
- IPG Photonics
- Lumentum
- Trumpf
Useful route links
These links are good starting points for courses, apprenticeships, graduate routes and professional training. They open the official or specialist sites rather than another summary page.
UCAS course search: photonics
Compare degree prospectuses, entry requirements, open days and course structures.
ucas.com
Engineering apprenticeships
Search current engineering apprenticeship and degree apprenticeship vacancies.
findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk
UKRI studentships and research funding
Explore UK research councils and postgraduate research funding routes.
ukri.org
UCAS Physics and astronomy courses
Search UK undergraduate physics, astrophysics and related degree options.
ucas.com
Prospects: what can I do with a physics degree?
Independent overview of careers that physics graduates enter.
prospects.ac.uk
Find an apprenticeship on GOV.UK
Search current apprenticeship and degree apprenticeship vacancies in England.
gov.uk
Key skills
Explore related careers
Sources and further reading
External links open in a new tab.