Abstract: A packaging assembly (10) for a photonic device (12) including a bulkhead connector (40) that eliminates the fiber pigtail in the prior art. The photonic device (12) is mounted within a cavity (14) of a housing (16) and is optically aligned with a lensed end (18) of a fiber (20). The fiber (20) extends into and is soldered to a cylindrical ferrule (24). The fibered ferrule (24) is positioned within an opening (28) extending through an outer wall (30) of the housing (16) so that it extends outside of the housing (16). The ferrule (24) is soldered to the housing (16) in a hermetic seal. The bulkhead connector (40) is mounted to the housing (16) in a position where the fibered ferrule (24) extends partially into a bore (60) extending through the connector (40). An optical connector (64) attaches to the connector (40) so that a fiber (68) extending from the optical connector (64) is inserted in the bore (60) and aligns with the fibered ferrule (24).