Also called: High-Energy Laser Engineer, High-Power Microwave Engineer
Builds high-energy lasers and microwave systems that can disable drones and missiles.
You align a powerful laser in a lab, measure how well the beam stays focused over a mile of turbulent air, and help run field tests on drone targets in the desert. Back in the lab you study what went wrong and redesign optics or cooling.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Master's or PhD in electrical engineering, optics or physics.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics.
Growing much faster than average. Growing with counter-drone needs.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps aim and control beams; building high-power lasers and testing them stays hands-on in a growing defense field.
Classes: AP Physics C, AP Calculus, Electronics class, Computer science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2199.
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