Microsystem engineer
Also known as: micro-system engineer, microsystem technology engineering consultant, microsystem engineering adviser, MEMS engineer, microsystem technology engineering specialist, micro systems engineer
About this occupation
Microsystem engineers research, design, develop, and supervise the production of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), which can be integrated in mechanical, optical, acoustic, and electronic products.
A specialisation of electronics engineer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- adjust engineering designs
- conduct literature research
- use technical drawing software
- electronics
- conduct quality control analysis
- record test data
- approve engineering design
- develop microelectromechanical system test procedures
- electricity principles
- mechanical engineering
- perform scientific research
- microassembly
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Microsystems Engineers (O*NET 17-2199.06). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Writing, Systems Analysis
US median pay: US$122,930 a year (2025), 154,070 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsExtremely important (4.6)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (4.3)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.1)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (4.0)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (3.9)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.5)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- 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
- 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.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Photonics Engineers
- Mechatronics Engineers
- Nanosystems Engineers
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
- Materials Scientists
- Robotics Engineers
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.