Jobs / Architecture and engineering / 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.

US jobs
75,570 (SOC 17-3026 group, "Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians")
Median wage
$66,120 a year
Job family
Architecture and engineering

Can agents do the work of nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Architecture and engineering: Some tasks (first measured in the last 12 months)

Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.

Evidence: HWE-Bench, 79.9% of tasks completed.

Direct evidence that disagrees: Parametric CAD Bench V3, 7% of tasks fully completed (Perfect tasks).

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark (figures for the SOC 17-3026 group).

  • 7%Research technology designs or applicationsNot measured
  • 7%Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipmentNot measured
  • 5%Monitor operations to ensure compliance with regulations or standardsNot measured
  • 5%Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performanceNot measured
  • 5%Monitor environmental conditionsNot measured
  • 5%Operate laboratory or field equipmentNot measured
  • 4%Design industrial systems or equipmentNot measured
  • 4%Document technical designs, procedures, or activitiesNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in architecture and engineering, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Context only

These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.

  • GDPvalby OpenAIProject level · Wins plus ties against experts
    84.9%GPT-5.5 · Apr 2026
    Strong
  • GDPval-AAby Artificial AnalysisProject level · GDPval-AA Elo
    1846 EloClaude Opus 5.5 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort, Default Fallback) · 23 Sep 2026
    Unrated
  • Remote Labor Indexby CAIS and Scale AIProject level · Automation rate
    15.8%Claude Fable 5 · 1 Jul 2026
    Open

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • 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.
  • Maintain accurate record or batch-record documentation of nanoproduction.
  • Calibrate nanotechnology equipment, such as weighing, testing, or production equipment.
  • Maintain work area according to cleanroom or other processing standards.
  • Repair nanotechnology processing or testing equipment or submit work orders for equipment repair.
  • Assist nanoscientists or engineers in processing or characterizing materials according to physical or chemical properties.
  • Collaborate with scientists or engineers to design or conduct experiments for the development of nanotechnology materials, components, devices, or systems.
  • 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.
  • Monitor hazardous waste cleanup procedures to ensure proper application of nanocomposites or accomplishment of objectives.
  • Monitor equipment during operation to ensure adherence to specifications for characteristics such as pressure, temperature, or flow.
  • Measure or mix chemicals or compounds in accordance with detailed instructions or formulas.
  • Inspect or measure thin films of carbon nanotubes, polymers, or inorganic coatings, using a variety of techniques or analytical tools.
Other job titles for this occupation (20)

Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech) · Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician) · Nanofabrication Specialist · Process Engineering Technician (Process Engineering Tech) · R and D Engineer (Research and Development Engineer) · Research Lab Associate (Research Laboratory Associate) · Research Scientist · Research Specialist · Research Technician (Research Tech) · Scientific Research Associate · Cleanroom Operator · Cleanroom Technician (Cleanroom Tech) · Nanoscience Technician (Nanoscience Tech) · Nanotechnician · Nanotechnologist · Nanotechnology Engineering Technician (Nanotechnology Engineering Tech) · Nanotechnology Technician (Nanotechnology Tech) · Research Staff Member · Research Support Specialist · Technical Associate