Nanosystems engineer

Earnings (Yearly Median): $104,600 (O*NET OnLine, 2022)

Employment and Outlook: Little or no change (O*NET OnLine, 2021-2031)

O*NET-SOC Code: 17-2199.09

Related Career Cluster(s): Manufacturing; Health Science; Transportation, Distribution & Logistics; Government & Public Administration

Scope of Work

Nanosystems engineers work for developmental laboratories, universities, private engineering companies, and the federal government. They work with material on the nanoscale; that is, matter is typically between one and one hundred nanometers. One nanometer (nm) is equivalent to one billionth of a meter, small enough to measure the diameter of atomic particles.

Unlike mechanical engineers, who work on a macroscale, nanosystems engineers study matter at the molecular level and use nanoparticles to create technology and mechanisms that benefit society. Several industries and products benefit from nanotechnology, including medicine, electronic devices, computer software, agriculture, green energy, and consumer goods.

In addition to conducting experiments with nanoscale materials in a laboratory setting, nanosystems engineers constantly research molecular materials' properties and invent new nanotechnology applications. They evaluate experiments, write reports, and collaborate with other engineers and scientists to solve complex problems. Nanosystems engineers work from the bottom up, exploring the structures of molecular materials and how they interact with other molecules and then using those materials to build and enhance the performance of more extensive technologies.

Education and Coursework

A nanosystems engineer must have a bachelor’s degree in nanosystems engineering, chemical engineering, or bioengineering. A degree in a related field, such as materials science, is also acceptable. Hands-on laboratory experience with nanoparticles in a laboratory class, as an intern, or as a research assistant is necessary during an engineer’s education.

A nanosystems engineer’s four-year undergraduate education is an amalgam of chemistry, biology, technology, physics, and engineering courses—including organic chemistry, engineering physics, particle physics, molecular biology, and advanced engineering—as well as classes in computer labs. There are master’s and Ph.D. programs in nanosystems engineering and other engineering disciplines, and most employers prefer entry-level candidates with an advanced degree. An engineering school may offer a five-year joint bachelor’s and master’s program; a master’s degree may be completed by a full-time student in two years.

A master’s degree augments an applicant’s resume and may increase an engineer’s salary. A master’s degree offers students specialized laboratory experience and the opportunity to produce a professional research thesis or project (a master’s thesis or dissertation) that contributes to the field of nanosystems engineering. An advanced engineering degree may also require business and management courses to prepare graduates for managerial positions. Enrolling in a master’s or Ph.D. program can also help individuals establish valuable connections within engineering.

Career Enhancement and Training

In the US, engineers need to be licensed if they offer services to the public, although licensing requirements vary by state. Under US law, starting an engineering company without a professional license is illegal. Private companies that employ engineers may also require them to have a license. Though some private companies may waive this requirement, they may still offer bonuses and salary increases to licensed employees.

There are three primary steps to earning a professional engineering license: a candidate must earn a bachelor’s degree, pass two comprehensive exams given and scored by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), and complete four years of engineering experience under the supervision of a professional engineer. The first NCEES exam is called the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. After passing this exam, a candidate must obtain four years of experience before taking the second NCEES exam, the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, which evaluates an engineer’s knowledge and skills in a specific concentration. Upon passing this examination, an individual will have earned their license and be officially considered a professional engineer (PE).

Continuing education is an essential aspect of a nanosystems engineer’s career. Nanosystems engineers are obligated to take additional courses and read the current literature on advancements in the industry. The federal government often employs them to create military technology and defense systems, in which case they would need an engineering license and a security clearance.

Joining a professional engineering society or organization is a great way to network with other professionals and learn more about the engineering industry. For instance, the International Association of Nanotechnology (IANT) offers meetings and networking opportunities for nanosystems engineers and other professionals involved in the development of nanotechnology around the world. In addition to connecting with other professionals, these gatherings are an excellent opportunity to learn more about current research and innovations from world-renowned scientists. Being a member of the IANT is a beneficial addition to a résumé, as it shows potential employers an applicant’s dedication to nanotechnology.

Daily Tasks and Technology

Most nanosystems engineers' time is spent examining molecular materials and designing prototypes and three-dimensional simulations of these materials using computer software. They conduct experiments and write reports evaluating nanoparticles and the efficiency of new nanotechnology, recording any progress or setbacks. From the results of these experiments, engineers develop nanodevices and nanomaterials and explore ways nanotechnology can be used for other applications.

Nanosystems engineers have several essential tasks outside of the laboratory. After a product is complete, for example, an engineer may demonstrate how the product works to the consumer and explain the mechanisms involved. Writing proposals to secure grant money is usually necessary to fund experiments and technology production.

Nanotechnology is becoming a more important component of green technology. Engineers are researching ways molecular materials can reduce the carbon footprint of energy sources. In solar photovoltaic electricity or solar power, nanotechnology helps create more cost-effective solar cells. In fuel cells, nanosystems engineers are developing platinum nanoparticles to produce hydrogen, therefore decreasing cost. Engineers have also developed silicon nanowires to enhance the efficiency of batteries for electronic devices.

Nanosystems engineers use a variety of tools and technology. A scanning electron microscope (SEM), for example, is a microscope that uses electrons to view molecular materials. The SEM can also look beneath a material's surface and reveal its composition and other properties, such as conductivity. Spectrometers and spectroscopes are instruments used to measure the properties of materials, such as electromagnetic waves, which include light, gamma rays, and other forms of radiation. Engineers also use an electron beam (e-beam) evaporator to heat material with electron beams, causing evaporation. The evaporation process occurs in a vacuum chamber, allowing engineers to acquire a gaseous material from the substance and learn more about its composition.

Additionally, nanosystems engineers use basic desktop computer technology for word processing and spreadsheet creation. More advanced software, such as computer-aided design (CAD) software, is used to create prototypes of molecular substances.

Earnings and Employment Outlook

The demand for all nanosystems engineers is predicted to experience little change between 2021 and 2031. The need for nanotechnology itself, however, is gradually increasing as engineers discover new mechanisms to benefit medicine, agriculture, green energy, electronic devices, and several other applications.

Engineers and scientists believe nanotechnology is in its early stages, not unlike computers in the 1960s, and will become more significant over time. According to a Precedence Research report, the global nanotechnology market was estimated at $85.39 billion in 2021 and was predicted to reach $288.7 billion by 2030. Future employment for nanosystems engineers, therefore, looks promising as this industry continues to grow.

Engineers generally earned a median annual salary of $105,077 in early 2023. Wages vary by employer, with nanosystems engineers working for the federal government and the private sector earning the most and those employed by state or local governments making the least. Average annual salaries also varied by state.

Related Occupations

• Chemical Engineers:Chemical engineers design chemical-based manufacturing processes and oversee the use of chemicals in industrial production.

• Materials Scientists: Materials scientists study the structures and properties of natural or synthetic substances. They devise new combinations of and uses for existing materials and invent new materials for use in products and applications.

• Biological Engineers: Biological engineers use the principles of biology and molecular biology to solve problems and create applications for living organisms.

• Biophysicists:Biophysicists study the physical properties of living organisms, including processes such as metabolism, heredity, and reproduction.

Future Applications

Nanosystems engineering is a relatively young science, but scientists agree that the possibilities for nanotechnology are innumerable. Many industries and products will benefit from nanotechnology in the upcoming decades. In medicine, for instance, nanosystems engineers are experimenting with nanoparticles capable of injecting chemotherapy directly into cancer cells, thereby decreasing harmful side effects. Nanoparticles may also be capable of directly attacking and destroying viruses in the human body. Every sector of the medical field could potentially benefit; artificial organs may be created, and genetic therapies may be designed to prevent disease before it occurs. Even treatments capable of reversing the aging process are within nanotechnology’s reach.

Nanosystem engineers could develop advanced robots and machines once only conceivable in science fiction. Robots, for example, could use nanotechnology to perform intricate surgical procedures. Nanoparticles may make computer chips more powerful and reach microscopic sizes. Connections between the human brain and electronic devices—moveable prosthetic arms and legs, for instance—could be created with nanotechnology interfaces.

Nanosystems engineers could help solve the global warming crisis and the need for alternative energy. Nanotechnology could aid in discovering cheaper and cleaner energy alternatives to expensive fossil fuels. For instance, nanosystems engineers are exploring ways to convert sunlight into methane, and they are close to developing technology capable of deriving hydrogen fuel by splitting water molecules.

Bibliography

"17-2199.09 – Nanosystems Engineers." O*Net Online, 29 Aug. 2023, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-2199.09. Accessed 26 Sept. 2023.

Rogers, Ben, et al. Nanotechnology: Understanding Small Systems. 3rd ed., CRC Press, 2017.