How to Become a Nanosystems Engineer

A Nanosystems Engineer job is to synthesize, process, or characterise nanomaterials, using advanced tools or techniques. He or she is required to supervise technologists or technicians engaged in nanotechnology research or production. A nanosystems engineer prepares reports, delivers presentations, or participates in program review activities to communicate engineering results or recommendations. A Nanosystems Engineer also provides 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. Nanosystems Engineer jobs include conducting 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. A Nanosystems Engineer job responsibilities involve identifying new applications for existing nanotechnologies.

Analysis

The nanosystems engineer job responsibility includes identifying materials efficacy opportunities and making recommendations to achieve more nanotech efficient operation. The job of a nanosystem engineer is to analyze materials and advise others regarding green practices and environmental concerns. 

Management

The job of a nanosystems engineer is to manage the development, design, or construction of nanotech materials development projects to ensure the acceptability of budgets and timelines, conforming to federal and state laws, or adherence to approved specifications. The nanosystems engineer job responsibility includes directing materials production or management activities.

Maintenance work

As a nanosystems engineer, he/she is required to conduct materials examinations to evaluate chemical and biomedical use, costs, or conservation measures. A nanosystems engineer is responsible for the monitoring of industrial energy consumption or management, he/she is required to monitor and analyze materials and chemical consumption. The nanosystems engineer job responsibility includes conducting job site observations, field inspections, or sub-metering to collect data for material conservation analyses.

Research work

The nanosystems engineer job responsibility includes researching the design and construction aspects related to materials and chemicals such as nanotech engineering, chemical and drug management, and sustainable design. The job of a nanosystems engineer is to research and review the medicine and chemical production, use or conservation, he/she reviews biomedical, or chemical plans and specifications to evaluate materials efficiency or determine economic, service, or engineering feasibility. The job of a nanosystem engineer is to evaluate plans and specifications to determine technological or environmental implications.

Evaluation

The job of a nanosystem engineer is to inspect or monitor medical systems, including heating, synthesizing, and air conditioning or daylighting systems to determine materials use or potential materials savings, and inspect equipment or systems. The nanosystems engineer job responsibility includes evaluating construction design information such as detail and assembly drawings, design calculations, system layouts and sketches, or specifications. A nanosystems engineer also evaluates designs or specifications to determine and ensure quality.

Documentation

The nanosystems engineer job responsibility includes preparing project reports and other program or technical or operational reports. The nanosystems engineer job responsibility includes directing the work of contractors or staff in the implementation of materials management projects. The job of a nanosystems engineer is to analyze, interpret, or create biomedical representations of materials data, using engineering software. A nanosystems engineer also creates models of engineering designs or methods.

There are other sub-disciplines for a career as a nanosystems engineer. We have mentioned below major engineering aspects that candidates can choose as an alternative career. 

Photonics Engineer: A photonics engineer job is to create and improve systems and products that use photonics—lasers, optics, fiber optics, and imaging. The job of a photonics engineer is to check for efficiency by testing to see if the system functions properly. As a photonics engineer, he/she creates optical materials that make a factory more energy efficient.

Robotics Engineer: Robotics engineer is a professional who uses 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools to create robots, which allows him/her to design right down to the circuit level. Computer-Aided Manufacture (CAM) tools are then used to actually build the robots. 

Nanotechnology Engineer: Nanotechnologist is the professional who performs a wide range of tasks and has a very diversified field that he or she works in. A nanotechnology engineer is involved with electronic engineering and is responsible for creating tiny electrical materials that can be used in different types of products.

Microsystems Engineer: Microsystems engineer is a professional who uses computer design software to produce equipment such as schematics of the products he or she is involved with designing. The job of a microsystems engineer is to assess data about his or her design plans and other products to determine how effective the products are. As a microsystems engineer, he or she analyses relevant data, identifies ways to improve products and addresses any issues with the design or production process.

A Nanosystems Engineer is required to work in an office, laboratory, or sometimes onsite.  Site visits and field work for the Nanosystems Engineers are conducted outside and in all weathers, some jobs may also be expected to be off-shore in remote locations. In most situations, a Nanosystems Engineer works in a research laboratory job condition where Nanosystems Engineers and nanotechnology engineers are the only people working. In other cases, there may be strong team support provided to the engineer. The working conditions  depend on the Nanosystems Engineer Jobs. 

Also Read: Career as Nanotechnologist

Does Nanosystems Engineer require travelling?

Likely

Travelling is a little part of a career as nanosystems engineer, particularly if the candidate is into a core research based job position, although absence from home overnight is uncommon. There are few overseas travel opportunities available with some multinational organisations.

Employment Shifts

Full Time

Individuals who opt for a career as Nanosystems Engineer are expected to work full-time. The regular work is conducted in a research laboratory since a nanosystem engineer is required to conduct various researches, and evaluation during the job performance.

Also Read: Career as Research Associate

Employment Nature

Permanent

A nanosystems engineer is hired on a permanent basis. Most organisations will expect the candidates to have some experience, so any relevant knowledge and skills the candidates can build up through placement as part of the course or work experience is useful. A number of the major nanosystem engineering companies offer one-year internships.

Work Place

Laboratory, Office

A Nanosystems Engineer is required to work in an office, laboratory, or sometimes onsite. Site visits and fieldwork for the engineers are conducted outside and in all weathers, some jobs may also be expected to be off-shore in remote locations.

Presence in Geographical Area

Semi-urban, Urban

Cities from South India such as Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, offer a variety of jobs in Nanosystems Engineering. Other than South India, Mumbai, Pune, Gurugram, New Delhi, and Kolkata also offer Nanosystems Engineer jobs. 

Time Pressure

Likely

Time pressure is quite moderate in the Nanosystems Engineer career. Usually, a Nanosystems Engineer works under regular shifts from 9 am to 5 pm. However, depending on the requirements of the project and deadlines, they might be required to work under certain shifts.

Overtime Details

Occasionally, they are required to work for long hours due to several factors. Site visits and fieldwork for the engineers are conducted outside and in all weathers, some jobs may also be expected to be off-shore in remote locations. They usually work 35 to 40 hours per week. However, they might be required to work overtime whenever required.

Weekly Hours of Work

Min 45 Hours

A career as Nanosystems Engineer typically requires working a minimum of 45 hours a week. However, he or she might be required to work overtime during special circumstances. 

There are several skillsets required in a career as a nanosystems engineer. Individuals must possess these skills in order to establish a successful career as a nanosystems engineer. We have mentioned below major skillset that will support you throughtout your career. 

Leadership: A nanosystems engineer should possess good leadership skills, as one day, the engineer will become the leader of the production or research group, and everyone will look up to him/her for taking important decisions and otherwise also. Additionally, a good leader must be honest, delegate, confident, and should possess a positive outlook towards every problem. 

Communication Skills: A nanosystems engineer works with multiple teams on-site as well as off-site. It is important to get the right message across so that there are no discrepancies in the future which might result in something unwanted. To make sure that everyone is on the same page effective communication is essential.

Critical Thinking: While job-site problems can arise without a moment’s notice, to steer out of the problem, it is a nanosystems engineer job  to have critical thinking skills. As a nanosystems engineer , one must be able to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between the ideas. 

Decision-Making Skills: While conducting research or evaluation, there will be times where a person will have to make important decisions. Not delaying and taking the correct decision is important. A nanosystems engineer must be able to select between two or more alternatives to reach the best outcome in the shortest time. 

Teamwork: A Nanosystems Engineer job demands not only to work with his or her own team but also other teams to ensure the safety of workers, hence, it is important for them to be a good team player. A Nanosystems Engineer job responsibilities include combining his or her skills and ideas with co-workers in pursuit of a goal. 

Self Control: Life of a nanosystems engineer can be rough especially while performing experimental duties. The pressure is immense, hence, it is important for them to have great self-control. The job of a Nanosystems Engineer is to be emotionally strong and have a sense of duty towards others as well to ensure their safety. 

Time Management: As a Nanosystems Engineer, one should be skilled in managing one's time as well as of others. In the job, there are times when the work pressure is high and he or she is required to complete more work in less time, in such cases good time management helps. 

Science Skills: Material conversion could not be tackled unless one knows the whereabouts of science related to it. As a nanosystems engineer , one is required to have in-depth knowledge of the science behind nanotechnology and the science related to it so that proper scientific methods and rules can be applied to solve the problem and emerge to be more efficient. 

Equipment Maintenance: Equipment maintenance is one of the most important skills one should learn as a Nanosystems Engineer. Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining whether they are working accurately and deciding when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Strategic Mindset: Learning strategies are one of the important skills required to become a Nanosystems Engineer  which involves learning tasks like conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance, adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. A career as a Nanosystems Engineer requires to  determine the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job, controlling operations of equipment or systems, and selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. 

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There are numerous nanosystems engineer jobs. Depending on the experience, an entry-level engineer is known as junior nanosystems engineer, while a experienced engineer of more than 10 years is known as senior nanosystems engineer. 

Junior Nanosystem Engineer: A Junior Nanosystems Engineer is a professional who is responsible for writing proposals to secure external funding or to partner with other nanosystem engineering companies. He or she works under the senior nanotechnology engineers who are engaged in nanotechnology research or production. A Junior Nanosystems Engineer jobs include providing technical guidance to research interns and technicians from other engineering fields working under his or her expertise. He or she utilises the knowledge of chemical, analytical, or biological processes as applied to micro and nano systems. 

Senior Nanosystem Engineer: A Senior Nanosystems Engineer is a professional responsible for designing, developing, and supervising the production of materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular/ macromolecular composition. A Senior Nanosystems Engineer job involves applying principles of nanoscale physics, electrical, chemical, or biological engineering. A senior-level experienced Nanosystems Engineer is required to supervise technologists or technicians engaged in nanotechnology research or production. He or she prepares reports, delivers presentations, or participates in program review activities to communicate engineering results or recommendations. A Senior Nanosystems Engineer also provides scientific or technical guidance or expertise to scientists, engineers, technologists, technicians, or others, using knowledge of chemical, analytical, or biological processes as applied to microsystems and nanoscale systems. 

You'll be amazed to know that how nanotechnology functions in a great aspect of life. One of such nano engineer inventions is nanotubes. Super plants are created by placing nanotubes in chloroplasts. There is a vast range of growth opportunities in the field of nanotechnology sector. Candidates can choose to specialise in areas such as corporate social responsibility, or can move into research and development to observe into new and better ways to optimise production and find new nanotech materials conversions. There are also opportunities to join the increasing number of environmental consultancies, become self-employed or move into the education field to lecture on nanosystems engineering. Continuing professional development is a necessary step in nanosystems engineering to ensure the candidates remain up to date with developments and technology. Candidates can find various opportunities right after graduation in nanotechnology engineering companies. There are candidates who choose to become a student member of relevant societies, institutes or charities. 

Being a relatively new career, nanotechnology is a course with lots of research scope and saturation potential. Nanosystems engineering jobs are found more in medical and biological sectors of the industry. Since nanosystems engineering  is aimed to find ways to benefit from the very minute particles of matter, material sciences and engineering fields are all gripped in nanosystem engineering technology. Nanosystems engineers are well researched and sought after in various chemical and biological processes. However, India still lacks behind the United States and other European countries in terms of the other nanosystems technical setups and facilities. The nanotechnology sector is relatively more expanded in the United States while it’s still finding its place in India. Due to factors such as lack of proper facilities and infrastructure for nanosystems industry the nanosystem engineers are still struggling to get paid as good as the engineers from other sectors. Nanosystems engineer salary is Rs 6,00,000 for entry-level engineer while Rs 1,20,00,000 is for the more experienced workers. 

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