Nanosystems Engineers
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.
Nanosystems Engineers 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. The role reports a median annual salary of $117,750 in the US and is showing modest growth of 2% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.43 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include computer simulation, analytical chemistry, engineering principles, materials engineering, engineering processes.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £48,776 a year for Engineering professionals n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £39,653 to £61,717 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 2129). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Nanosystems Engineers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
No single fixed route is listed for this career. These Indian degrees lead to it, according to the US CIP–SOC education-to-occupation crosswalk; open a degree for its entrance exams and colleges.[1]
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Electronics and Communication Engineering — B.Tech / B.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering (four years)
Entrance exams: JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, MHT CET, KCET, WBJEE, AP EAPCET, TS EAPCET
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Mechatronics and Robotics — B.Tech in Mechatronics Engineering (four years)
Entrance exams: JEE Main, MET, SRMJEEE, VITEEE, MHT CET
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- CIP 2020 – SOC 2018 crosswalk (NCES / BLS) (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Design
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Nanosystems Engineers do?
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.
How much does Nanosystems Engineers earn?
The median annual salary for Nanosystems Engineers in the US is $117,750.
What is the job outlook for Nanosystems Engineers?
The role is showing modest growth of 2% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 158,800 workers.
How do I become nanosystems engineers?
The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Nanosystems Engineers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include computer simulation, analytical chemistry, engineering principles, materials engineering, engineering processes, quantum technology. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Nanosystems Engineers?
Our AI-durability model gives Nanosystems Engineers a score of 0.43 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Nanosystems Engineers has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.