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Career Details

17-3026.01 - Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians


Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
66,500
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
63,500
Estimate
Change in Employment
-3,000
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-4.5%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Operate nanotechnology compounding, testing, processing, or production equipment in accordance with appropriate standard operating procedures, good manufacturing practices, hazardous material restrictions, or health and safety requirements.
  • Maintain work area according to cleanroom or other processing standards.
  • Produce images or measurements, using tools or techniques such as atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, particle size analysis, or zeta potential analysis.
  • Collaborate with scientists or engineers to design or conduct experiments for the development of nanotechnology materials, components, devices, or systems.
  • Repair nanotechnology processing or testing equipment or submit work orders for equipment repair.
  • Measure or mix chemicals or compounds in accordance with detailed instructions or formulas.
  • Monitor equipment during operation to ensure adherence to specifications for characteristics such as pressure, temperature, or flow.
  • Collect or compile nanotechnology research or engineering data.
  • Calibrate nanotechnology equipment, such as weighing, testing, or production equipment.
  • Monitor hazardous waste cleanup procedures to ensure proper application of nanocomposites or accomplishment of objectives.
  • Contribute written material or data for grant or patent applications.
  • Inspect or measure thin films of carbon nanotubes, polymers, or inorganic coatings, using a variety of techniques or analytical tools.
  • Compare the performance or environmental impact of nanomaterials by nanoparticle size, shape, or organization.
  • Develop or modify wet chemical or industrial laboratory experimental techniques for nanoscale use.
  • Process nanoparticles or nanostructures, using technologies such as ultraviolet radiation, microwave energy, or catalysis.
  • Implement new or enhanced methods or processes for the processing, testing, or manufacture of nanotechnology materials or products.
  • Prepare detailed verbal or written presentations for scientists, engineers, project managers, or upper management.
  • Perform functional tests of nano-enhanced assemblies, components, or systems, using equipment such as torque gauges or conductivity meters.
  • Maintain accurate record or batch-record documentation of nanoproduction.
  • Assemble components, using techniques such as interference fitting, solvent bonding, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or ultrasonic welding.
  • Prepare capability data, training materials, or other documentation for transfer of processes to production.
  • Analyze the life cycle of nanomaterials or nano-enabled products to determine environmental impact.
Generic
  • Assist nanoscientists or engineers in processing or characterizing materials according to physical or chemical properties.
  • Assist nanoscientists or engineers in writing process specifications or documentation.
Supplemental
  • Measure emission of nanodust or nanoparticles during nanocomposite or other nano-scale production processes, using systems such as aerosol detection systems.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 85%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Chemistry
  • 83%
    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
 Physics
  • 74%
    Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 74%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Mathematics
  • 71%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 English Language
  • 70%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Mechanical
  • 67%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Production and Processing
  • 64%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Design
  • 58%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 51%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Education and Training
  • 50%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Viewing and observing instruments and accessories
  • Atomic force microscopes AFM
  • Auger electron microscopes
  • Field emission scanning electron microscopes FESEM
  • Fluorescence optical microscopes
  • Focused ion beam scanning electron microscopes FIB-SEM
  • Optical compound microscopes
  • Optical profilers
  • Scanning acoustic microscopes
  • Scanning electron microscopes SEM
  • Scanning probe microscopes SPM
  • Scanning tunneling microscopes STM
  • Transmission electron microscopes TEM
 Electronic manufacturing and processing machinery
  • Atomic layer deposition ALD systems
  • Capacitively coupled plasma CCP reactors
  • Contact aligners
  • Contact printers
  • Dielectric deposition tools
  • Electron beam evaporators
  • Electron beam writers
  • Extreme ultraviolet EUV systems
  • Focused ion beam FIB etching tools
  • Inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etchers ICP-RIE
  • Ion implanters
  • Ion mills
  • Low pressure chemical vapor deposition LPCVD systems
  • Magnetron plasma sputter reactors
  • Mask aligners
  • Mask writers
  • Metal-organic chemical vapor deposition MOCVD systems
  • Molecular beam epitaxy MBE systems
  • Molecular vapor deposition MVD systems
  • Nanoimprint lithography NIL systems
  • Parallel plate reactive ion etchers RIE
  • Photoresist dispensing systems
  • Photoresist spin coaters
  • Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition PECVD systems
  • Plasma etchers
  • Spin processors
  • Sputter coaters
  • Vacuum contact printers
  • Wafer substrate bonders
  • Wire bonders
 Laboratory ovens and accessories
  • Bake ovens
  • Spin dryers
  • Vacuum ovens
 Pressure measuring and control instruments
  • Bourdon tube gauges
  • Ion gauges
  • Ionization gauges
  • Pirani gauges
 Fluid mechanics equipment
  • Capacitance manometers
 Safety apparel
  • Chemical aprons
  • Chemical protective aprons
  • Cryogenic gloves
  • Gowning gloves
  • Protective gowns
 Laboratory baths
  • Chemical baths
 Grinding and sanding and polishing equipment and supplies
  • Chemical mechanical polishing CMP systems
 Water treatment and supply equipment
  • Deionization water systems
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
 Light and wave generating and measuring equipment
  • Digital pattern generators
  • Interferometers
 Length and thickness and distance measuring instruments
  • Ellipsometers
  • Spectroscopic ellipsometers
 Spectroscopic equipment
  • Energy dispersive x-ray EDX spectroscopes
  • Infrared spectroscopes
  • Photoelectron spectroscopes
  • Secondary ion mass spectrometers SIMS
  • Spectrophotometers
 Vision protection and accessories
  • Eyewash stations
  • Safety goggles
 Fire fighting equipment
  • Fire extinguishers
 Gas analyzers and monitors
  • Helium leak detectors
  • Residual gas analyzers
 Laboratory heating and drying equipment
  • Hotplates
  • Rapid thermal annealers RTA
  • Vacuum hotplates
 Electronic and communication measuring and testing instruments
  • Linewidth measurement systems
  • Optical thin film measurement systems
  • Parametric analyzers
 Respiratory protection
  • Respirators
  • Self-contained breathing apparatus
 Pumps
  • Turbo pumps
 Welding machinery
  • Ultrasonic welding equipment
 Crystallography equipment
  • X ray diffractometers
  • Zeta potential analyzers
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Industry specific software
  • Computer aided design CAD softwareHOT
  • Image analysis software
  • Simulation software
  • SPMLab
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Optical imaging systems
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific certifications are listed for this career
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Central Virginia Community College
Eastern Shore Community College
Laurel Ridge Community College
Mountain Empire Community College
Mountain Gateway Community College
New River Community College
Patrick & Henry Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Southside Virginia Community College
Tidewater Community College