There is a global demand for skilled people with Photonics training. A Photonics specialist can work as Engineers, technicians or technologists, research officers in government and industry laboratories and as professional officers in Universities and Government offices. Manufacturing, design, research, development, systems and applications are some of the fields they work in. The range of application of Photonics extends from energy generation and detection to communication and information processing.

The nature of work differs with the post held. The scientist has to do more research work on Photonics, while the engineers design Photonic equipments. The Photonics technician helps the engineers in designing and manufacturing and also solving problems dealt with, in Photonics. Photonics engineers often start their career as assistants to experienced engineers. Based on qualifications they can either become research directors or principal engineers.

There is much scope for graduates in the field as Photonics industry is in need of more qualified and experienced people. Mostly they could work for telecommunication companies. They could also find key positions in a variety of other industries and R & D organizations involved in the area of networks, semiconductor technology, fiber and integrated optics, optoelectronics and software.

Photonics companies that supply optical components and systems need people who are Photonics graduates and experts to design, manufacture and test photonics components. In industrial manufacturing, a career in photonics is helpful since laser is used for cutting, drilling and welding. In the manufacture of semi-conductors too, photonics is used not only for imaging circuit layers but also for measuring the size and location of patterned features. In automobile manufacture, photonics testing offers advantages over mechanical methods of testing interior and brake noise.

Some of the major companies in the field in India are Eagle Photonics (Bangalore&Chennai), Kwality Photonics Pvt. Ltd, SphereOptics, J2 Optronics, Sahajanand Technologies Pvt.Ltd, Optiwave Photonics Limited (Hyderabad), John .F.Welch Technology Centre (Bangalore), Advanced Photonics, Sterlite optical technologies Ltd etc.