Nanosystems Engineers

17-2199.09

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• 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.
• Supervise technologists or technicians engaged in nanotechnology research or production.
• 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.
• Synthesize, process, or characterize nanomaterials, using advanced tools or techniques.
• Prepare reports, deliver presentations, or participate in program review activities to communicate engineering results or recommendations.
• Design or conduct tests of new nanotechnology products, processes, or systems.
• Create designs or prototypes for nanosystem applications, such as biomedical delivery systems or atomic force microscopes.
• Write proposals to secure external funding or to partner with other companies.
• Generate high-resolution images or measure force-distance curves, using techniques such as atomic force microscopy.
• Develop processes or identify equipment needed for pilot or commercial nanoscale scale production.
• Provide technical guidance or support to customers on topics such as nanosystem start-up, maintenance, or use.
• Engineer production processes for specific nanotechnology applications, such as electroplating, nanofabrication, or epoxy.
• Apply nanotechnology to improve the performance or reduce the environmental impact of energy products, such as fuel cells or solar cells.
• Identify new applications for existing nanotechnologies.
• Design or engineer nanomaterials, nanodevices, nano-enabled products, or nanosystems, using three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) software.
• Design nano-enabled products with reduced toxicity, increased durability, or improved energy efficiency.
• Coordinate or supervise the work of suppliers or vendors in the designing, building, or testing of nanosystem devices, such as lenses or probes.
• Design nano-based manufacturing processes to minimize water, chemical, or energy use, as well as to reduce waste production.
• Design nanosystems with components such as nanocatalysts or nanofiltration devices to clean specific pollutants from hazardous waste sites.
• Prepare nanotechnology-related invention disclosures or patent applications.
• Reengineer nanomaterials to improve biodegradability.
• Integrate nanotechnology with antimicrobial properties into products, such as household or medical appliances, to reduce the development of bacteria or other microbes.
• Develop catalysis or other green chemistry methods to synthesize nanomaterials, such as nanotubes, nanocrystals, nanorods, or nanowires.
• Design nanoparticle catalysts to detect or remove chemical or other pollutants from water, soil, or air.
• Develop green building nanocoatings, such as self-cleaning, anti-stain, depolluting, anti-fogging, anti-icing, antimicrobial, moisture-resistant, or ultraviolet protectant coatings.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - CP2K; CPMD; CSC Elmer; Dassault Systemes Abaqus; Data acquisition software; DL_POLY; ESA MOSAICS; Finite difference time domain FDTD software; General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System GAMESS; LAMMPS Molecular Dynamics Simulator; MAYA Nastran; NWChem; QuantumWise Atomistix ToolKit; SEMC-2D; Simulation software; UTQUANT; Vienna Ab-Initio Simulation Package VASP
• Business intelligence and data analysis software - AWS Elastic MapReduce (EMR); Tableau 🔥
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥; Breault Research ASAP; Computer aided design CAD software; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks 🔥; IMSI Design DesignCAD; LinkCAD; Optical Research Associates LightTools; PTC Creo Parametric; Tanner EDA L-Edit
• Computer aided manufacturing CAM software - Rapid prototyping software
• Customer relationship management CRM software - Salesforce software 🔥
• Data base management system software - Apache Hadoop 🔥
• Data base user interface and query software - Oracle Database 🔥; Structured query language SQL 🔥
• Development environment software - National Instruments LabVIEW
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Enterprise resource planning ERP software; SAP software 🔥
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe FreeHand MX
• Industrial control software - Apache MXNet
• Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software - Oracle Manufacturing Scheduling
• Medical software - GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
• Object or component oriented development software - Oracle Java 🔥; Python 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software 🔥
• Operating system software - Linux 🔥; Microsoft Windows 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
• Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
• Research engineering applications of emerging technologies.
• Operate precision equipment to control microscopic or nanoscopic processes.
• Prepare operational reports.
• Explain engineering drawings, specifications, or other technical information.
• Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
• Devise research or testing protocols.
• Design micro- or nano-scale materials, devices, or systems.
• Create physical models or prototypes.
• Prepare proposal documents.
• Measure physical or chemical properties of materials or objects.
• Develop technical methods or processes.
• Advise customers on the use of products or services.
• Design alternative energy systems.
• Identify new applications for existing technologies.
• Design materials for industrial or commercial applications.
• Coordinate activities with suppliers, contractors, clients, or other departments.
• Develop operational methods or processes that use green materials or emphasize sustainability.
• Prepare contracts, disclosures, or applications.
• Research engineering aspects of biological or chemical processes.