17-2199.06 - Microsystems Engineers

Partially updated 2011

Details Report for:
17-2199.06 - Microsystems Engineers

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

This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)

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.
Validate fabrication processes for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), using statistical process control implementation, virtual process simulations, data mining, or life testing.
Conduct analyses addressing issues such as failure, reliability, or yield improvement.
Conduct experimental or virtual studies to investigate characteristics and processing principles of potential microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
Conduct or oversee the conduct of prototype development or microfabrication activities to ensure compliance to specifications and promote effective production processes.
Create schematics and physical layouts of integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) components or packaged assemblies consistent with process, functional, or package constraints.
Develop formal documentation for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, including quality assurance guidance, quality control protocols, process control checklists, data collection, or reporting.
Develop or validate product-specific test protocols, acceptance thresholds, or inspection tools for quality control testing or performance measurement.
Develop or validate specialized materials characterization procedures, such as thermal withstand, fatigue, notch sensitivity, abrasion, or hardness tests.
Devise microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) production methods, such as integrated circuit fabrication, lithographic electroform modeling, or micromachining.
Evaluate and select materials, fabrication methods, joining methods, surface treatments, or packaging to ensure acceptable processing, performance, cost, and availability.
Investigate characteristics such as cost, performance, or process capability of potential microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device designs, using simulation or modeling software.
Operate or maintain microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication and assembly equipment, such as handling, singulation, assembly, wire-bonding, soldering, and package sealing.
Propose product designs involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, considering market data or customer requirements.
Refine final microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) design to optimize design for target dimensions, physical tolerances, or processing constraints.
Conduct acceptance tests, vendor-qualification protocols, surveys, audits, corrective-action reviews, or performance monitoring of incoming materials or components to ensure conformance to specifications.
Create or maintain formal engineering documents, such as schematics, bills of materials, components or materials specifications, or packaging requirements.
Demonstrate miniaturized systems that contain components such as microsensors, microactuators, or integrated electronic circuits fabricated on silicon or silicon carbide wafers.
Develop and communicate operating characteristics or performance experience to other engineers and designers for training or new product development purposes.
Develop or file intellectual property and patent disclosure or application documents related to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, products, or systems.
Develop and verify customer documentation, such as performance specifications, training manuals, and operating instructions.
Develop or implement microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processing tools, fixtures, gages, dies, molds, or trays.
Identify, procure, or develop test equipment, instrumentation, or facilities for characterization of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) applications.
Manage new product introduction projects to ensure effective deployment of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices or applications.
Plan or schedule engineering research or development projects involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
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.

Tools & Technology Save Table (XLS/CSV)

Tools used in this occupation:

Binocular light compound microscopes — Inspection microscopes; Optical compound microscopes

Calibrated resistance measuring equipment — Resistivity measurement systems

Drying cabinets or ovens — Critical point dryers

Impedance meters — Four point probes

Laboratory evaporators — Electron beam evaporators; Metal evaporators

Semiconductor process systems — Inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etchers ICP-RIE; Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition PECVD systems; Thin film deposition systems; Wet chemical etching systems (see all 19 examples)

Semiconductor testers — Curve tracers; Parametric testers; Semiconductor parameter analyzers; Thin film measurement systems

Signal generators

Spectrometers — Raman scattering spectroscopes

Thickness measuring devices — Ellipsometers; Spectroscopic ellipsometers

Technology used in this occupation:

Analytical or scientific software — Simulation software; The MathWorks MATLAB; Very high speed integrated circuit VHSIC hardware description language VHDL simulation software; WinSpice (see all 42 examples)

Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; MEMSCAP MEMS Pro; PTC Pro/ENGINEER software; Xcircuit * (see all 11 examples)

Development environment software — C; Microsoft Visual Basic; National Instruments LabVIEW

Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software

Internet browser software

Object or component oriented development software — C++

Office suite software — Microsoft Office software

Operating system software — Apple Macintosh OS; Microsoft Windows; UNIX

Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel

Word processing software — Microsoft Word

* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.

See all 55 T2 categories

Education

This occupation may require a background in the following science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational disciplines:

Engineering — Manufacturing Engineering

Interests Save Table (XLS/CSV)

Occupational Interest		Interest
100		Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
83		Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
50		Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
22		Artistic — Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
11		Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
0		Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Values Save Table (XLS/CSV)

Extent		Work Value
78		Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
78		Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
78		Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
72		Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
61		Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
39		Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages data collected from Engineers, All Other.
Employment data collected from Engineers, All Other.
Industry data collected from Engineers, All Other.

Median wages (2012)	$44.24 hourly, $92,030 annual
Employment (2010)	157,000 employees
Projected growth (2010-2020)	Slower than average (3% to 9%)
Projected job openings (2010-2020)	44,800
Top industries (2010)	Manufacturing (27% employed in this sector) Government (23%) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (21%) (see all industries)

State & National

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data and 2010-2020 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.