High School

In high school, take courses in mathematics (geometry, trigonometry, and calculus), physics, computer science (especially computer-aided design), biology, chemistry, and other science fields. English and speech classes are highly recommended because nanosystems engineers need excellent communication skills in order to prepare reports and collaborate with coworkers. Students should also join science clubs (such as the American Chemical Society’s ChemClub) and participate in science and math competitions such as the Chemistry Olympiad.

Postsecondary Education

You will need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to become a nanosystems engineer. A master’s degree, or even a Ph.D., may be necessary for some research, teaching, and administrative positions.

A growing, but still small, number of colleges and universities (including Drexel University, Louisiana Tech University, State University of New York College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, and the University of California San Diego) offer degrees or concentrations in nanotechnology or nanosystems engineering. Some programs allow students to include an engineering concentration area—biomedical, chemical, electrical, mechanical, or microsystems engineering—to expand their skills. Typical classes in nanosystems engineering programs include:

• fundamentals of nanosystems engineering
• nanosystems and devices
• nanosystems modeling
• advanced materials for micro/nano devices and systems
• micro/nano scale materials measurement and analysis
• solid state electronics
• introduction to solid state physics
• nanosystems engineering research seminar
• nanosystems engineering laboratory
• nanosystems engineering senior design

Check out the following Web sites for information on postsecondary institutions that offer degrees and certificates in nanotechnology, nanoscience, and nanoengineering: https://www.nano.gov/education-training/university-college and http://www.trynano.org/resources/universities.

If you aren’t able to attend a college that offers a nanotechnology or nanosystems engineering major, you can prepare for this career by earning a bachelor’s degree in biomedical, chemical, mechanical, electrical, mechanical, or microsystems engineering, or in materials science, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or biotechnology, by complementing your education with nanotechnology or nanosystems engineering classes or pursuing a minor in the field (if it’s available).

Certification

The Clean Tech Institute, approved by the California Energy Commission, offers the following certificate programs:

• certified electric vehicles technician
• certified photovoltaic systems specialist
• certified nanotech and clean tech professional

The certified nanotech and clean tech professional program will be of particular interest to nanosystems engineers. Participants must have a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of work experience. For more information, visit http://www.cleantechinstitute.org/Training.

Other Education or Training

Nanotechnology is a cutting-edge field, and nanosystems engineers need to continue to learn throughout their careers via webinars, seminars, conferences, and workshops. Professional associations are big providers of continuing education opportunities. For example, SME offers webinars such as “What Engineers Need to Know about Nano Business, Carbon Nanotubes, AFM, and Dip Pen Nanolithography” and “MicroManufacturing: Getting Even Smaller,” as well as other professional development opportunities. The Society of Women Engineers offers conference sessions, webinars, and other education resources on career development, leadership, and special issues for women in engineering. Other organizations offer professional development opportunities, including the American Institute of Physics, ASME International, National Society of Professional Engineers, Nano Science and Technology Institute, American Society for Engineering Education, and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society. Contact these organizations to learn more.

Certification or Licensing

Certification, while not required, is available from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (board certified environmental engineer, SME (certified manufacturing engineer), the IEEE Computer Society (associate software engineer certifications), the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (associate computing professional, certified computing professional), and other professional associations at the national, state, and local levels. 

Engineers whose work may affect the lives, health, or safety of the public must be registered according to regulations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Licensing requirements vary by state. In general, however, they involve graduating from an accredited college, having four years of work experience, and passing the eight-hour Fundamentals of Engineering exam and the eight-hour Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. Depending on your state, you can take the Fundamentals exam shortly before your graduation from college or after you have received your bachelor’s degree. At that point you will be an engineer-in-training. Once you have fulfilled all the licensure requirements, you receive the designation of professional engineer. Visit the NCEES Web site, http://www.ncees.org, for more information on licensure.

Other Requirements

If you plan to seek employment at a government agencies, you may be required to be a U.S. citizen and undergo a background investigation.

Those wishing to enter the field of nanotechnology should obtain as much experience as possible in high school and college by participating in internships, co-ops, or volunteer or part-time positions at nanoengineering firms and laboratories or other companies that develop or use nanosystems.

To be a successful nanosystems engineer, you should have strong communication and interpersonal skills; be attentive to detail; be able to think analytically in order to solve problems and work with abstract ideas; and be willing to continue to learn throughout your career. Other important traits include science and engineering skills; creativity and imagination; and the ability to work both independently and as a member of a group.

Nanosystems engineers must know how to use (or be willing to learn):

• analytical or scientific software (e.g., Dassault Systemes Abaqus, General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System GAMESS, MAYA Nastran, and UTQUANT)
• computer-aided design software (e.g., Autodesk AutoCAD, LinkCAD, Dassault Systemes CATIA, and PTC Creo Parametric)
• development environment software (e.g., National Instruments LabVIEW)
• graphics or photo imaging software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Adobe FreeHand)
• spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel)