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.

Most important skills

Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Writing
Active Listening
Science
Complex Problem Solving
Operations Monitoring
Troubleshooting

Key knowledge

Engineering and Technology
English Language
Computers and Electronics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics
Education and Training
Production and Processing

What the work involves

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.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Realistic, Investigative, Conventional.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Doctoral Degree (40% of respondents)
Related experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years (25%)
On-the-job training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year (35%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 4: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.
Projection education uses SOC 17-3026 (detailed_parent); it may describe a broader group.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Moderate	Lower on contact with others than 57% of occupations compared	50% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others most of the time”
Dealing with the public	Low	Lower on dealing with the public than 65% of occupations compared	35% of surveyed respondents chose “Important”
Teamwork	Moderate	Higher on teamwork than 50% of occupations compared	45% of surveyed respondents chose “Extremely important”
Freedom to make decisions	Moderate	Lower on freedom to make decisions than 53% of occupations compared	40% of surveyed respondents chose “Some freedom”
Time pressure	Very low	Lower on time pressure than 84% of occupations compared	55% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a month or more but not every week”
Conflict situations	Very low	Lower on conflict situations than 91% of occupations compared	50% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Very low	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 92% of occupations compared	65% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Consequence of error	Moderate	Lower on consequence of error than 54% of occupations compared	35% of surveyed respondents chose “Fairly serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: very low
Conflict situations: very low
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: very low
Consequence of error: moderate

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions