Details Report for:
17-2199.09 - Nanosystems Engineers
Design, develop, or supervise the production of materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition, applying principles of nanoscale physics and electrical, chemical, or biological engineering.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Education | Work Values | Wages & Employment | Job Openings
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Conduct research related to a range of nanotechnology topics, such as packaging, heat transfer, fluorescence detection, nanoparticle dispersion, hybrid systems, liquid systems, nanocomposites, nanofabrication, optoelectronics, or nanolithography.
- Create designs or prototypes for nanosystem applications, such as biomedical delivery systems or atomic force microscopes.
- Design or engineer nanomaterials, nanodevices, nano-enabled products, or nanosystems, using three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Coordinate or supervise the work of suppliers or vendors in the designing, building, or testing of nanosystem devices, such as lenses or probes.
- Design or conduct tests of new nanotechnology products, processes, or systems.
- Engineer production processes for specific nanotechnology applications, such as electroplating, nanofabrication, or epoxy.
- Develop processes or identify equipment needed for pilot or commercial nanoscale scale production.
- Provide scientific or technical guidance or expertise to scientists, engineers, technologists, technicians, or others, using knowledge of chemical, analytical, or biological processes as applied to micro and nanoscale systems.
- Prepare nanotechnology-related invention disclosures or patent applications.
- Prepare reports, deliver presentations, or participate in program review activities to communicate engineering results or recommendations.
- Generate high-resolution images or measure force-distance curves, using techniques such as atomic force microscopy.
- Identify new applications for existing nanotechnologies.
- Provide technical guidance or support to customers on topics such as nanosystem start-up, maintenance, or use.
- Synthesize, process, or characterize nanomaterials, using advanced tools or techniques.
- Write proposals to secure external funding or to partner with other companies.
- Supervise technologists or technicians engaged in nanotechnology research or production.
- Apply nanotechnology to improve the performance or reduce the environmental impact of energy products, such as fuel cells or solar cells.
- Design nano-based manufacturing processes to minimize water, chemical, or energy use, as well as to reduce waste production.
- Design nano-enabled products with reduced toxicity, increased durability, or improved energy efficiency.
- Design nanoparticle catalysts to detect or remove chemical or other pollutants from water, soil, or air.
- Design nanosystems with components such as nanocatalysts or nanofiltration devices to clean specific pollutants from hazardous waste sites.
- Develop catalysis or other green chemistry methods to synthesize nanomaterials, such as nanotubes, nanocrystals, nanorods, or nanowires.
- Develop green building nanocoatings, such as self-cleaning, anti-stain, depolluting, anti-fogging, anti-icing, antimicrobial, moisture-resistant, or ultraviolet protectant coatings.
- Integrate nanotechnology with antimicrobial properties into products, such as household or medical appliances, to reduce the development of bacteria or other microbes.
- Reengineer nanomaterials to improve biodegradability.
Tools & Technology Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Tools used in this occupation:
| Binocular light compound microscopes — Differential interference contrast DIC microscopes; Fluorescence optical microscopes; Optical inspection microscopes; Optical profilers |
| Drying cabinets or ovens — Critical point dryers; Spin dryers; Spin rinse dryers |
| Impedance meters — Four-point probes; Impedance analyzers |
| Laboratory evaporators — Electron beam evaporators; Filament evaporators; Resistance evaporators; Thermal evaporators |
| Laboratory safety furnaces — Ashing systems; Atmospheric furnaces; Oxidation furnaces |
| Scanning electron microscopes — Field emission scanning electron microscopes FESEM; Focused ion beam scanning electron microscopes FIB-SEM; Scanning auger microscopes; Scanning electron microscopes SEM |
| Scanning light or spinning disk or laser scanning microscopes — Confocal Raman microscopes; Laser scanning confocal microscopes |
| Semiconductor process systems — Molecular beam epitaxy MBE systems; Nanoimprint lithography NIL systems; Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition PECVD systems; Wafer saws (see all 24 examples) |
| Signal generators — Laser pattern generators; Optical pattern generators |
| Spectrometers — Energy dispersive x-ray EDX spectroscopes; Raman scattering spectroscopes; Secondary ion mass spectrometers SIMS; X-ray photoelectron spectrometers |
| Thickness measuring devices — Ellipsometers; Scanning ellipsometers; Spectroscopic ellipsometers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System GAMESS *; QuantumWise Atomistix ToolKit; UTQUANT *; Vienna Ab-Initio Simulation Package VASP (see all 15 examples) |
| Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; LinkCAD; Optical Research Associates LightTools; PTC Pro/ENGINEER software (see all 8 examples) |
| Computer aided manufacturing CAM software — Rapid prototyping software |
| Development environment software — National Instruments LabVIEW |
| Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Freehand |
| Operating system software — Linux software |
| Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.
Education
This occupation may require a background in the following science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational disciplines:
Physics/Astronomy — Elementary Particle Physics; Engineering Physics
Work Values Save Table (XLS/CSV)
 Extent |
Work Value |
|
|---|---|---|
95   |
Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
| 83 |
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. | |
| 78 |
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. | |
| 78 |
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. | |
| 39 |
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. | |
| 28 |
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Engineers, All Other.
Employment data collected from Engineers, All Other.
Industry data collected from Engineers, All Other.
| Median wages (2012) | $44.24 hourly, $92,030 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 157,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) | 
Slower than average (3% to 9%)
|
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 44,800 |
| Top industries (2010) | Manufacturing (27% employed in this sector)
Government (23%)
|
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data
and 2010-2020 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
