About This Career

Researches, designs, develops, or tests microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics cluster Engineering and Technology pathway.

A person in this career:

• Creates schematics and physical layouts of integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) components or packaged assemblies consistent with process, functional, or package constraints.
• Investigates characteristics such as cost, performance, or process capability of potential microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device designs, using simulation or modeling software.
• Creates or maintains formal engineering documents, such as schematics, bills of materials, components or materials specifications, or packaging requirements.
• Conducts analyses addressing issues such as failure, reliability, or yield improvement.
• Plans or schedules engineering research or development projects involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
• Proposes product designs involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, considering market data or customer requirements.
• Develops formal documentation for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, including quality assurance guidance, quality control protocols, process control checklists, data collection, or reporting.
• Communicates operating characteristics or performance experience to other engineers or designers for training or new product development purposes.
• Evaluates materials, fabrication methods, joining methods, surface treatments, or packaging to ensure acceptable processing, performance, cost, sustainability, or availability.
• Refines final microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) design to optimize design for target dimensions, physical tolerances, or processing constraints.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel