Career Overview
Research, design, develop, or test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.
Also Known As
- Process Engineer
- Product Design Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Radio Frequency Design Engineer (RF Design Engineer)
Alternate Job Titles
- Applications Engineer
- Arrhythmia Engineer
- Control Systems Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Device Engineer
- Engineer
- GaN Device Engineer (Gallium Nitride Device Engineer)
- Medical Device Engineer
- MEMS Device Scientist (Microelectromechanical Systems Device Scientist)
- MEMS Engineer (Microelectromechanical Systems Engineer)
- MEMS Integration Engineer (Microelectrical Mechanical Integration Engineer)
- MEMS Process Engineer (Microelectromechanical Systems Process Engineer)
- Microelectronics Engineer
- Microsystems Engineer
- Mobile Device Engineer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Create schematics and physical layouts of integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) components or packaged assemblies consistent with process, functional, or package constraints.
- Investigate characteristics such as cost, performance, or process capability of potential microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device designs, using simulation or modeling software.
- Create or maintain formal engineering documents, such as schematics, bills of materials, components or materials specifications, or packaging requirements.
- Conduct analyses addressing issues such as failure, reliability, or yield improvement.
- Plan or schedule engineering research or development projects involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
- Propose product designs involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, considering market data or customer requirements.
- Develop formal documentation for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, including quality assurance guidance, quality control protocols, process control checklists, data collection, or reporting.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Design
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Writing
- Systems Analysis
- Speaking
- Science
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Fluency of Ideas
- Information Ordering
- Visualization
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Innovation
- Dependability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cautiousness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Recognition
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Photoshop
- Apple macOS
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Bash
- C
- C#
- C++
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Git
Tools & Equipment
- Atomic force microscopes AFM
- Atomic layer deposition ALD systems
- Chemical mechanical polishing CMP systems
- Contact angle measurement systems
- Contact mask aligners
- Countdown timers
- Critical point dryers
- Curve tracers
- Deionized water systems
- Die saws
- Digital multimeters
- Direct current DC sputtering systems
- Dry etchers
- Electrochemical analyzers
- Electron beam evaporators
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Engineers, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Microsystems Engineers.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $62,840 |
| Median | $117,750 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $183,510 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 150,750
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $127,590
Photonics Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $117,750
Mechatronics Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $117,750
Nanosystems Engineers
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $117,750
Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $127,590
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.