SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics
SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, drives innovation in light-based technologies to benefit humanity. Founded in 1955, SPIE fosters collaboration, inclusivity, and education, serving a global community through technical forums, career development, and the SPIE Digital Library, advancing research for a brighter, more connected future.
Our Mission & Vision
SPIE partners with researchers, educators, and industry to advance light-based research and technologies for the betterment of the human condition.
Our Values
Customer Focused: We believe in prioritizing the needs and satisfaction of our customers. We work to understand customer requirements, deliver high-quality products and services, and continuously seek feedback to improve the customer experience.
Collaborative: We believe in working together towards common goals. We encourage teamwork, open communication, and the sharing of ideas and resources.
Inclusive: SPIE recognizes that diversity and inclusion drive innovation, excellence, and new knowledge. Bringing together people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives makes us stronger and supports our mission. We strive to create a culture of belonging for all our employees.
Building and Supporting Communities: We focus on contributing to and strengthening the communities in which SPIE operates. We work on programs and initiatives in support of the optics and photonics community, as well as ones in support of the community in which we live.
Continuous Improvement: SPIE staff are constantly seeking ways to enhance processes, products, and services. We are committed to learning, adapting, and making incremental changes that lead to significant advancements over time.
Innovation: SPIE culture is all about creating new ideas, products, or methods that add value. We encourage creativity, experimentation, and the willingness to take risks to achieve breakthroughs.
Our Story
Since our inception in 1955, when visionary engineers and technicians from the aerospace industry came together to tackle optical instrumentation and imaging challenges, we have grown into a global, not-for-profit educational organization. Today, we empower our volunteers, constituents, and members to push the boundaries of optics and photonics technology. Our mission is to drive forward research, development, and applications in these fields to address critical issues in healthcare, communications, energy, security, astronomy, transportation, manufacturing, and the environment.
By fostering collaboration across disciplines and borders, and by demonstrating unwavering commitment to our global community, SPIE has earned recognition as the premier international professional society in our field.
Core Programs and Priorities
SPIE advances its mission through a variety of impactful programs:
• Events, conferences, and exhibits
• Technical publications and presentations
• Entrepreneurial programs that support innovation
• Community support including scholarships, grants, and educational resources
• Career development, lifelong learning, and skills training
• Professional recognition for individuals and organizations
• Outreach and advocacy to shape a brighter future
We’re lighting the way to a better world through the power of optics and photonics.
SPIE is an equal opportunity employer. SPIE provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information.
Employee Teams
Community: This team works to create a sense of community among SPIE employees and facilitates the broader interaction of employees beyond their teams and departments.
Good Corporate Citizen: SPIE seeks to be a responsible and positive contributor to the local community in which SPIE is physically located and from which it draws its employees. In 2002 SPIE began a fund that could be dispersed to local charities to serve that goal.
Safety: The sole purpose of this team is to maintain a safe workplace for SPIE employees.
Wellness: The Wellness Committee was created to serve our employees by improving the health, energy, and well-being of their lives through health education and activities that will support positive lifestyle change, thereby resulting in improved employee productivity and morale.
