Microsystems Engineers

17-2199.06

Research, design, develop, or test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• 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.
• Communicate operating characteristics or performance experience to other engineers or designers for training or new product development purposes.
• Evaluate materials, fabrication methods, joining methods, surface treatments, or packaging to ensure acceptable processing, performance, cost, sustainability, or availability.
• Refine final microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) design to optimize design for target dimensions, physical tolerances, or processing constraints.
• Conduct harsh environmental testing, accelerated aging, device characterization, or field trials to validate devices, using inspection tools, testing protocols, peripheral instrumentation, or modeling and simulation software.
• Develop or file intellectual property and patent disclosure or application documents related to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, products, or systems.
• Conduct or oversee the conduct of prototype development or microfabrication activities to ensure compliance to specifications and promote effective production processes.
• Conduct experimental or virtual studies to investigate characteristics and processing principles of potential microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
• Devise microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) production methods, such as integrated circuit fabrication, lithographic electroform modeling, or micromachining.
• Develop or validate specialized materials characterization procedures, such as thermal withstand, fatigue, notch sensitivity, abrasion, or hardness tests.
• Validate fabrication processes for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), using statistical process control implementation, virtual process simulations, data mining, or life testing.
• Demonstrate miniaturized systems that contain components, such as microsensors, microactuators, or integrated electronic circuits, fabricated on silicon or silicon carbide wafers.
• Manage new product introduction projects to ensure effective deployment of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices or applications.
• Conduct acceptance tests, vendor-qualification protocols, surveys, audits, corrective-action reviews, or performance monitoring of incoming materials or components to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Develop or implement microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processing tools, fixtures, gages, dies, molds, or trays.
• Develop customer documentation, such as performance specifications, training manuals, or operating instructions.
• Identify, procure, or develop test equipment, instrumentation, or facilities for characterization of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) applications.
• Develop or validate product-specific test protocols, acceptance thresholds, or inspection tools for quality control testing or performance measurement.
• Oversee operation of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication or assembly equipment, such as handling, singulation, assembly, wire-bonding, soldering, or package sealing.
• Consider environmental issues when proposing product designs involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
• Design or develop energy products using nanomaterials or nanoprocesses, such as micro-nano machining.
• Design or develop industrial air quality microsystems, such as carbon dioxide fixing devices.
• Design or develop sensors to reduce the energy or resource requirements to operate appliances, such as washing machines or dishwashing machines.
• Design sensors or switches that require little or no power to operate for environmental monitoring or industrial metering applications.
• Research or develop emerging microelectromechanical (MEMS) systems to convert nontraditional energy sources into power, such as ambient energy harvesters that convert environmental vibrations into usable energy.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Anisotropic Crystalline Etch Simulation ACES; Ansys Fluent; ANSYS LS-DYNA; ANSYS Multiphysics; Beige Bag Software B2 Spice; Cadence PSpice; CAzM; Circuit simulation software; COMSOL Multiphysics; Coventor ARCHITECT3D; Coventor CoventorWare; Dassault Systemes Abaqus; Dolphin Integration SMASH; Finite element analysis FEA software; Finite element method FEM software; FLorida Object Oriented Design Simulator FLOODS; FLorida Object Oriented Process Simulator FLOOPS; Intusoft ICAP; IRSIM; KLA-Tencor PROLITH; Linear Technology LTSpice; Mentor Graphics LeonardoSpectrum; Microelectromechanical systems MEMS simulation software; Microwind Dsch; Minitab; Molecular visualization software; MSC Software Patran; Penzar TopSPICE; PISCES IIB; Process simulation software; SAS 🔥; SAS JMP; Siemens ModelSim; Siemens PLM software; Simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis SPICE; Simulation software; SimWindows; SUPREM; Syborg Systems MicroTec; Synopsys HSPICE; Synopsys Taurus Medici; Tanner EDA T-SPICE; The MathWorks MATLAB ; Transas Group PISCES2; Very high speed integrated circuit VHSIC hardware description language VHDL simulation software; WinSpice
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥; Computer aided design CAD software; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks 🔥; IntelliCAD; MEMSCAP MEMS Pro; PTC Creo Parametric; Schematic capture software; Static Free Software Electric VLSI Design System; Tanner EDA L-Edit; Xcircuit
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access 🔥
• Development environment software - C ; Microsoft Visual Basic 🔥; National Instruments LabVIEW; Verilog; Very high-speed integrated circuit VHSIC hardware description language VHDL
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - SAP software 🔥
• File versioning software - Git 🔥
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Photoshop 🔥
• Industrial control software - Statistical process control SPC software
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Object or component oriented development software - C# 🔥; C++ ; Oracle Java 🔥; Perl 🔥; Python
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software 🔥
• Operating system software - Apple macOS 🔥; Bash 🔥; Linux 🔥; Microsoft operating system; Microsoft Windows 🔥; Microsoft Windows Server 🔥; Real time operating system RTOS software; Shell script 🔥; UNIX 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Program testing software - Debugging software
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥
• Requirements analysis and system architecture software - Unified modeling language UML
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥
• Web page creation and editing software - Facebook 🔥
• Web platform development software - JavaScript 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Create graphical representations of mechanical equipment.
• Create models of engineering designs or methods.
• Document technical design details.
• Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.
• Devise research or testing protocols.
• Schedule operational activities.
• Prepare proposal documents.
• Prepare procedural documents.
• Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
• Research industrial processes or operations.
• Design micro- or nano-scale materials, devices, or systems.
• Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
• Prepare contracts, disclosures, or applications.
• Direct design or development activities.
• Research engineering applications of emerging technologies.
• Design industrial processing systems.
• Conduct validation tests of equipment or processes.
• Develop technical methods or processes.
• Inspect operational processes.
• Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
• Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
• Design electromechanical equipment or systems.
• Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.
• Operate precision equipment to control microscopic or nanoscopic processes.
• Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
• Design energy production or management equipment or systems.
• Design systems to reduce harmful emissions.
• Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
• Design alternative energy systems.