Laser Technicians

Employers

Laser technicians work in a wide range of industries — from manufacturing, communications, and medicine, to scientific research, the military, and construction. In manufacturing, for example, a laser technician might work at larger companies such as Zygo (precision optics and metrology) and Trumpf (large industrial lasers) or at start-ups such as Aperture Optical Sciences (precision optics).

Starting Out

Colleges that offer associate's degrees in laser technology usually work closely with industry, providing their graduating students with placement services and lists of potential employers. Most laser technicians graduating from a two-year program, in fact, are interviewed and recruited while still in school by representatives of companies that need laser technicians. If hired, they begin working soon after graduation.

Another way to enter the career is to join a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces under a technical training program for laser technicians. Military laser training is not always compatible with civilian training, however, and further study of theory and applications may be needed to enter the field as a civilian.

Additionally, the Laser Institute of America offers job listings on its Web site, https://careers.lia.org.