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Nano Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Arcturus

Lead Carbon Nanomaterials Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K - $145K/yr

Lead Nanomaterials Engineer Los Angeles, CA (in-person) About Arcturus Arcturus is creating a new wire technology stack that uses carbon nanomaterials to overcome the materials limitations of metals ...

Genentech

Director - Nanotechnology

San Diego, CA · On-site

$158K - $293K/yr

D. in chemistry, engineering, bioengineering, nanotechnology, material science or a related field with 10+ years of relevant industry and academic experience. * Experience successfully advancing a ...

Arcturus

Senior Scientist / Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

About Arcturus Arcturus is creating a new wire technology stack that uses carbon nanomaterials to ... You would join as a founding engineer/scientist and work closely with Arcturus' technical leads ...

Arcturus

Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer Los Angeles, CA (in-person) About Arcturus Arcturus is creating a new wire technology stack that uses carbon nanomaterials to overcome the materials limitations ...

New

AttoTude

Process Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

Execute micro- and nanofabrication process flows in the Berkeley Nanolab cleanroom Operate fabrication equipment including: * Photolithography tools (spin coaters, mask aligners, developers) * Thin ...

Substrate

Process Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Process Engineer Substrate is addressing one of the most important technological problems facing ... This hands-on work will include (but will not be limited to) many nanofabrication techniques ...

Substrate

Senior Process Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

Senior Process Engineer Substrate is addressing one of the most important technological problems ... This hands-on work will include (but will not be limited to) many nanofabrication techniques ...

UNAVAILABLE

Quality Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA

$73K - $140K/yr

Bruker Nano, one of our four operating segments, empowers customers in academia, government, life ... As a Quality Engineer at Bruker AFM, you'll play a pivotal role in quality engineering, improving ...

Bruker

Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$78K - $101K/yr

Bruker Nano, one of our four operating segments, empowers customers in academia, government, life ... As a Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer at Bruker AFM, you'll play a pivotal role in sustaining ...

Subsense

Experimental Research Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

The Opportunity We are seeking a highly hands-on Research Engineer to lead and execute multidisciplinary experiments at the intersection of physics, engineering, nanotechnology, and biology. This ...

Bruker

Quality Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$73K - $140K/yr

Bruker Nano, one of our four operating segments, empowers customers in academia, government, life ... As a Quality Engineer at Bruker AFM, you'll play a pivotal role in quality engineering, improving ...

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All JobsNano Engineer JobsNano Engineer Jobs in California

Nano Engineer information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$90.8K

$140.6K

How much do nano engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for nano engineer in California is $90,813.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $101,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges nano engineers face when working on interdisciplinary projects?

Nano Engineers often collaborate with professionals from physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science, which can present challenges in communication and aligning project goals. Understanding the technical language and methodologies of other disciplines is crucial to ensure successful integration of nanoscale solutions. Additionally, adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and staying current with industry standards require continuous learning and flexibility. Effective teamwork and open communication are key to overcoming these challenges and achieving innovative outcomes.

What is a nano engineer?

Nano engineers are professionals who design, develop, and apply materials, devices, and systems at the nanoscale, typically between 1 and 100 nanometers. They work in various fields such as electronics, medicine, energy, and materials science to create innovative solutions by manipulating matter at the atomic or molecular level. Nano engineers often collaborate with scientists and engineers from other disciplines to develop new nanotechnologies and improve existing products or processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a nano engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nano Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, physics, chemistry, and engineering principles, typically supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Familiarity with nanofabrication tools, electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and simulation software is often required, along with certifications in laboratory safety. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for success. These skills and qualifications are vital for advancing innovative nanotechnology solutions and ensuring precision in research and product development.

What is the difference between Nano Engineer vs Materials Scientist?

AspectNano EngineerMaterials Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Nanotechnology, Materials Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsResearch labs, industrial settings, academia
Industry UsageElectronics, medicine, energy, manufacturingMaterials development, quality control, research

Both Nano Engineers and Materials Scientists work in research and development environments, often collaborating on advanced material projects. Nano Engineers focus specifically on nanoscale applications and device fabrication, while Materials Scientists study the properties and development of materials at various scales. The roles overlap in credentials and work settings, but Nano Engineers typically specialize in nanotechnology applications.

Is nano engineering in demand?

Nano engineering is in high demand due to its applications in electronics, medicine, and materials science. The field offers opportunities in research, development, and manufacturing, often requiring knowledge of nanomaterials, microscopy, and specialized tools. Job growth is expected to continue as nanotechnology advances across industries.

How much do nano engineers get paid?

Nano engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $100,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $70,000 to over $130,000 depending on experience, education, and location. Advanced skills in nanofabrication, microscopy, and related tools can influence compensation levels.
What are popular job titles related to Nano Engineer jobs in California? For Nano Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Nano Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Nano Engineer jobs in California are:
Nano Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nano Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,813 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Lead Carbon Nanomaterials Engineer

Arcturus

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$110K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Lead Nanomaterials Engineer

Los Angeles, CA (in-person)

About Arcturus

Arcturus is creating a new wire technology stack that uses carbon nanomaterials to overcome the materials limitations of metals where performance breaks down, at real operating temperatures. Our technology is designed to significantly improve the performance of electric motors for drones and robotics, heat sinks, and ultimately the entire energy grid. At its core, Arcturus is developing a new class of carbon nanomaterial-infused metal matrix composites for high-performance conductor applications.

Why you should join us

This is a ground-floor opportunity to help build something that has never been done before.

You would join as a founding engineer and become Arcturus’ first nanomaterials engineer, with the chance to define the company’s carbon nanomaterials strategy from the beginning. As the founding nanomaterials engineer, you will work directly with the founder and CEO to shape the technical direction of the company, translate scientific insight into real product performance, and help build a category-defining materials platform from scratch.

Purpose

We are seeking a lead nanomaterials engineer who can set the technical direction for our carbon nanomaterials strategy and translate fundamental science into measurable, scalable improvements in conductor performance. This person will help define how carbon nanomaterials are integrated into metal matrix composites, including approaches related to covetics and other carbon-metal interface architectures, to unlock meaningful improvements in electrical, thermal, and mechanical performance.

The role

This role reports directly to the CEO

Materials strategy and integration

  • Own the nanomaterials roadmap R&D, including carbon nanomaterial selection, orientation morphology, purity, infusion percentages, functionalizations, etc.

  • Define integration approaches into aluminum and copper that improve electrical performance through process technology

  • Lead dispersion and interface engineering strategy, including verification methods and technical decision gates

Characterization and scientific rigor

  • Build the characterization stack that links structure to performance, including Raman, SEM/EDS, and other methods as needed

  • Define metrics for dispersion quality, interface integrity, and degradation, then standardize how those measurements are made

  • Partner with engineering to translate scientific results into material specs, process windows, and acceptance criteria

Reliability and durability

  • Own hypotheses and experiments for long-term stability, including thermal cycling, corrosion, oxidation, environmental exposure, and processing effects

  • Define accelerated aging and failure mode discovery plans aligned with real-world use cases

  • Leadership and driving IP disclosures. Help shape patent strategy

  • Help build and lead a small but world-class scientific team over time

Basic qualifications

  • PhD or MS in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, or a related field

  • 8+ years of applied research leadership with demonstrated impact on products, processes, or commercialization

  • Deep expertise in carbon nanomaterials and strong intuition for process-structure-property relationships

  • Strong scientific writing skills, including clear technical documentation, experimental plans, and invention disclosures

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience with carbon nanomaterial-metal composites, metal matrix composites, covetics, or carbon/metal interface chemistry

  • Familiarity with graphene, carbon nanotubes, graphene growth methods, including localized or laser-inducted graphene

  • Startup experience

What we offer

  • Competitive cash compensation and meaningful equity

  • Scientific ownership with direct product impact

  • The chance to define the playbook for nanomaterial-enhanced conductors

  • Relocation support for candidates moving from outside the Los Angeles area