Summary 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
- 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.
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Binocular light compound microscopes — Differential interference contrast DIC microscopes; Fluorescence optical microscopes; Optical inspection microscopes; Optical profilers |
| Laboratory evaporators — Electron beam evaporators; Filament evaporators; Resistance evaporators; Thermal evaporators |
| Scanning electron microscopes — Field emission scanning electron microscopes FESEM; Focused ion beam scanning electron microscopes FIB-SEM; Scanning auger microscopes; Scanning electron microscopes SEM |
| Semiconductor process systems — Molecular beam epitaxy MBE systems; Nanoimprint lithography NIL systems; Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition PECVD systems; Wafer saws |
| Spectrometers — Energy dispersive x-ray EDX spectroscopes; Raman scattering spectroscopes; Secondary ion mass spectrometers SIMS; X-ray photoelectron spectrometers |
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 |
| Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; LinkCAD; Optical Research Associates LightTools; PTC Pro/ENGINEER software |
| Development environment software — National Instruments LabVIEW |
| Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Freehand |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
* 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:
Work Values
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
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) |
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.
