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Photo Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Western Digital

Photo Equipment Engineering

San Jose, CA · On-site

$106K - $142K/yr

... research second source options and engineer parts if necessary to support equipment. * Work with equipment vendors to ensure tool performance and support as well as escalation of line down situations.

Walkup Studio

Social Media Editor

New York, NY · On-site

This person must be interested in editorial, copywriting, curation, pop culture, administration, photo research -- and can pick up on some tedious details. We are looking for someone who is excited ...

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Photo Researcher information

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$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do photo researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for photo researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Photo Researcher position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Photo Researcher, you need expertise in sourcing, licensing, and cataloging images, often supported by a degree in art, history, media, or a related field. Familiarity with image databases, rights management platforms, and tools like Adobe Photoshop is commonly required. Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and effective communication set top candidates apart. These abilities ensure accurate, legal, and timely acquisition of images that meet project needs and client expectations.

What is the highest paying job in photography?

The highest paying roles in photography include commercial photographers, especially those working in advertising, fashion, or with high-profile clients, often earning six-figure incomes. Specialized skills, a strong portfolio, and experience with advanced equipment or digital editing tools can contribute to higher earnings in these positions.

What jobs will no longer exist in 2030?

By 2030, roles that rely heavily on manual data entry, routine manufacturing tasks, and basic administrative functions are expected to decline due to automation and AI advancements. Jobs such as data clerks, assembly line workers, and certain telemarketers may diminish as technology replaces repetitive tasks, while roles requiring complex decision-making and creativity are likely to persist. For a Photo Researcher, this trend emphasizes the importance of digital literacy and adaptability to evolving tools and platforms.

What does a photo researcher do?

A photo researcher locates, verifies, and licenses images for use in media, advertising, or publishing projects. They often work with image databases, archives, and online resources, requiring strong research skills and knowledge of copyright laws. The role may involve using photo editing tools and maintaining organized image collections.

What are the typical challenges faced by Photo Researchers on the job?

Photo Researchers often face challenges such as locating high-quality, rights-cleared images that meet specific project criteria and tight deadlines. Navigating complex copyright laws and negotiating usage rights with agencies or photographers is a common aspect of the job. Collaboration with editors, designers, and legal teams is frequent, requiring adaptability and clear communication. Overcoming these challenges helps ensure projects use compelling visuals while staying compliant with legal and budgetary requirements.

How to become a picture researcher?

To become a picture researcher, develop strong research skills, attention to detail, and proficiency with image databases and editing tools. Typically, a background in photography, journalism, or media studies is helpful, and experience with copyright laws and licensing is valuable for sourcing images legally.

What is a Photo Researcher job?

A Photo Researcher is responsible for finding, licensing, and acquiring images for publications, media projects, or marketing materials. They work with stock agencies, archives, and photographers to source high-quality visuals that match project needs. They must verify copyright details, negotiate usage rights, and ensure compliance with licensing agreements. Strong research skills, attention to detail, and an understanding of visual composition are essential for success in this role.

More about Photo Researcher jobs
What cities are hiring for Photo Researcher jobs? Cities with the most Photo Researcher job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Photo Researcher jobs? The most popular types of Photo Researcher jobs are:
What states have the most Photo Researcher jobs? States with the most job openings for Photo Researcher jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Photo Researcher jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Photo Researcher jobs are:
Photo Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Photo Researcher job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 52% Full Time, 42% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.
Photo Equipment Engineering

Photo Equipment Engineering

Western Digital

San Jose, CA • On-site

$106K - $142K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Company Description
WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.
As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That's where we come in.
We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.
This isn't theoretical work. It's real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.
We're looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level.
Join us and let's shape the future of data.
Job Description
The position is needed for equipment engineering group in Photo area responsible for manufacturing equipment. Equipment failure analysis and characterization, with the emphasize on the following areas:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Assist Equipment Engineering - Optimizing, improving and providing solutions/feedback for equipment.
  • Learn and maintain obsolescence tools
  • PM trainer/assistant) that could work a hybrid shift.
    • Train and assist, as needed, with PMs. Since we have a lot of PAS tools that might be a good place to start.
    • This would really help upskill shifts that need more help and alleviate some of the shift specific PMs.
    • This individual would help keep data together, highlight potential problems and provide feedback on all shifts need more resources.
  • Work with maintenance team to trouble-shoot, provide long term solutions and training.
  • Lead and drive the corrective actions associated with equipment issue.
  • Assist in transitioning FR/GO Wiki
  • Monitor equipment performance, identify issues and fix tool.
  • Certify and train maintenance, chemical technicians and equipment tool owners.
  • Establish written procedures and specs for maintenance tech.
  • Work with process engineering team to provide resolution/reduction of rework and scrap issues.
  • Work with EE on investigations for equipment related excursion and provide a solution.
  • Assiste EE in 8D summary to maint/prod/process and various department stake holders.
  • Provide safety recommendations on equipment in addition ensuring tools meet QA site requirements.

Qualifications
REQUIRED
  • AS/BS degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or computer science is preferred.
  • Analytical, logical, and data-driven, and demonstrated ability in fixing and providing equipment resolutions.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage projects with set milestone and timeline, and ability to execute under minimal supervision.
  • A responsible and team player. Detail-oriented and willingness to learn and thrive in a cross-functional manufacturing environment.

SKILLS
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Able to work and interact with various interdepartmental engineering and other support organizations.
  • Ability to understand electrical schematics and trouble-shoot equipment.
  • Understand Photo equipment process, optics, electrical, mechanical and robotics knowledge.
  • Provide equipment training to maintenance team.
  • Utilize Micro-computer applications for equipment optimization, trouble-shooting and analysis of tool performance.
  • Assist EE provide solutions equipment performance reports, 8D resolutions and follow thru on action items.
  • Assist EE parts inventory, research second source options and engineer parts if necessary to support equipment.
  • Work with equipment vendors to ensure tool performance and support as well as escalation of line down situations.
  • AS/BS degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or computer science is preferred.
  • Analytical, logical, and data-driven, and demonstrated ability in fixing and providing equipment resolutions.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Able to work and interact with various interdepartmental engineering and other support organizations.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage projects with set milestone and timeline, and ability to execute under minimal supervision.
  • A responsible and team player. Detail-oriented and willingness to learn and thrive in a cross-functional manufacturing environment.

Additional Information
WD is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person's gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here.
WD thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.
WD is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 10/16/2026 (3 months from posting), although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application deadline.
#LI-TD1
Compensation & Benefits Details
  • An employee's pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
  • The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York. This range may be modified in the future.
  • If your position is non-exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws. You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.
  • You will be eligible to be considered for bonuses under either WD's Short Term Incentive Plan ("STI Plan") or the Sales Incentive Plan ("SIP") which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance, depending on your role and your performance. You may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to WD's Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program; employee stock purchase plan; and the WD Savings 401(k) Plan.
  • Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email compliance@wdc.com.

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