Occupation Summary

Microsystems Engineers

O*NET 17-2199.06

Description:

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

Annual Wages:
$116,753.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 14.66%.
Education Level:
Master's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
STEM

  1. Manage new product introduction projects to ensure effective deployment of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices or applications.
  2. Plan or schedule engineering research or development projects involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
  3. Develop or implement microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processing tools, fixtures, gages, dies, molds, or trays.
  4. Identify, procure, or develop test equipment, instrumentation, or facilities for characterization of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) applications.
  5. Develop customer documentation, such as performance specifications, training manuals, or operating instructions.
  6. Develop or file intellectual property and patent disclosure or application documents related to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, products, or systems.
  7. Communicate operating characteristics or performance experience to other engineers or designers for training or new product development purposes.
  8. Demonstrate miniaturized systems that contain components, such as microsensors, microactuators, or integrated electronic circuits, fabricated on silicon or silicon carbide wafers.
  9. Create or maintain formal engineering documents, such as schematics, bills of materials, components or materials specifications, or packaging requirements.
  10. Conduct acceptance tests, vendor-qualification protocols, surveys, audits, corrective-action reviews, or performance monitoring of incoming materials or components to ensure conformance to specifications.
  11. Refine final microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) design to optimize design for target dimensions, physical tolerances, or processing constraints.
  12. Propose product designs involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, considering market data or customer requirements.
  13. Oversee operation of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication or assembly equipment, such as handling, singulation, assembly, wire-bonding, soldering, or package sealing.
  14. Investigate characteristics such as cost, performance, or process capability of potential microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device designs, using simulation or modeling software.
  15. Evaluate materials, fabrication methods, joining methods, surface treatments, or packaging to ensure acceptable processing, performance, cost, sustainability, or availability.
  16. Devise microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) production methods, such as integrated circuit fabrication, lithographic electroform modeling, or micromachining.
  17. Develop or validate specialized materials characterization procedures, such as thermal withstand, fatigue, notch sensitivity, abrasion, or hardness tests.
  18. Develop or validate product-specific test protocols, acceptance thresholds, or inspection tools for quality control testing or performance measurement.
  19. Develop formal documentation for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, including quality assurance guidance, quality control protocols, process control checklists, data collection, or reporting.
  20. Create schematics and physical layouts of integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) components or packaged assemblies consistent with process, functional, or package constraints.
  21. Conduct or oversee the conduct of prototype development or microfabrication activities to ensure compliance to specifications and promote effective production processes.
  22. Conduct analyses addressing issues such as failure, reliability, or yield improvement.
  23. Conduct experimental or virtual studies to investigate characteristics and processing principles of potential microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
  24. Validate fabrication processes for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), using statistical process control implementation, virtual process simulations, data mining, or life testing.
  25. 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.
  26. Consider environmental issues when proposing product designs involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
  27. Design or develop energy products using nanomaterials or nanoprocesses, such as micro-nano machining.
  28. Design or develop industrial air quality microsystems, such as carbon dioxide fixing devices.
  29. Design or develop sensors to reduce the energy or resource requirements to operate appliances, such as washing machines or dishwashing machines.
  30. Design sensors or switches that require little or no power to operate for environmental monitoring or industrial metering applications.
  31. 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.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Microsystems Engineers employed Annual Growth Rate
Architectural, engineering, and related services 12.2 0.47
Scientific research and development services 6 0.67
Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 4.7 0.49
Employment services 4.2 0.27
Computer systems design and related services 3.3 1.32
Electronic instrument manufacturing 3.2 0.18
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services 2.3 1.24
Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing 2.1 1.09


Labor Market Information


2023 Statewide average hourly wage $56.13
2023 National average hourly wage $56.90
2022 National employment 170,300
2022 Texas employment 9,767
Texas projected employment by 2032 11,199
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 735




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
92.40%
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
92.00%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
81.40%
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
79.20%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
78.40%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
69.40%
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
65.00%
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
63.80%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
59.80%
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
59.60%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
80.00%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
80.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
80.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
77.60%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
75.00%
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
75.00%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
72.40%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
72.40%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
72.40%
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
72.40%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
82.40%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
82.40%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
77.60%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
77.60%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
77.60%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
75.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
75.00%
Fluency of Ideas
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
72.40%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
72.40%
Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
70.00%


  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    -- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Thinking Creatively
    -- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Other Activities


  • 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.
  • 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.

No certifications found.


Tools

Ammeters: Picoammeters;

Analytical balances: Electronic balances;

Bench refractometers or polarimeters: Polarimeters;

Binocular light compound microscopes: Optical compound microscopes; Inspection microscopes;

Calibrated resistance measuring equipment: Resistivity measurement systems;

Capacitance meters: Inductance capacitance resistance LCR meters;

Chemical or gas sterilizers: Ultraviolet ozone cleaners;

Clock timers: Countdown timers;

Drying cabinets or ovens: Critical point dryers;

Electrogravimetry analyzers: Electrochemical analyzers;

Electronic measuring probes: Mechanical probe stations;

Fume hoods or cupboards: Laminar flow flume hoods;

Heated walk in environmental or growth chambers: Thermal chambers;

Hydraulic press frames: Hydraulic presses;

Impedance meters: Impedance meters; Four point probes;

Infrared spectrometers: Extractive Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectrometers;

Isolation glove boxes: Isolation glove boxes;

Laboratory evaporators: Metal evaporators;

Laboratory hotplates: Hotplates;

Laboratory safety furnaces: Oxidation furnaces;

Level generators: Pulse generators;

Modulation meters: Time interval analyzers;

Multimeters: Digital multimeters;

Network analyzers: Network analyzers;

Oscilloscopes: Oscilloscopes;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

pH meters: pH meters;

Scanning electron microscopes: Scanning electron microscopes SEM;

Scanning probe microscopes: Atomic force microscopes AFM;

Semiconductor process systems: Atomic layer deposition ALD systems; Contact mask aligners; Die saws; Direct current DC sputtering systems; Dry etchers; Electron beam evaporators; Inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etchers ICP-RIE; Laser ablation thin film deposition systems; Parylene coaters; Photoresist dispensing systems; Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition PECVD systems; Plasma etchers; Radio frequency RF sputtering systems; Spin coaters; Sputter deposition systems; Stepper aligners; Thin film deposition systems; Vacuum chambers; Wet chemical etching systems; Wire bonders;

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

Signal generators: Signal generators;

Spectrometers: Spectrometers; Raman scattering spectroscopes;

Spectrophotometers: Fluorescence spectrophotometers;

Surface tension measuring instruments: Contact angle measurement systems;

Surface testers: Profilometers;

Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers: Rapid thermal annealers RTA;

Thickness measuring devices: Ellipsometers; Spectroscopic ellipsometers;

Tube furnaces: Tube furnaces;

Tumblers or polishers: Chemical mechanical polishing CMP systems;

Ultra pure water systems: Deionized water systems;

Vibration testers: Vibration measurement systems;

X ray diffraction equipment: X ray diffractometers;


Technology

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; Mentor Graphics LeonardoSpectrum; Microelectromechanical systems MEMS simulation software; KLA-Tencor PROLITH; Linear Technology LTSpice; 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: Xcircuit; MEMSCAP MEMS Pro; Tanner EDA L-Edit; Static Free Software Electric VLSI Design System; Schematic capture software; PTC Creo Parametric; IntelliCAD; Autodesk AutoCAD; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks; Computer aided design CAD software;

Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access;

Development environment software: C; National Instruments LabVIEW; Microsoft Visual Basic; 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: Python; Perl; Oracle Java; C#; C++;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: Microsoft operating system; Linux; Microsoft Windows; Microsoft Windows Server; Real time operating system RTOS software; Shell script; Apple macOS; Bash; 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;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Microsystems Engineers include:
  • 17-2071.00 Electrical Engineers
  • 17-2072.00 Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
  • 17-2112.03 Manufacturing Engineers
  • 19-2032.00 Materials Scientists
  • 17-2141.00 Mechanical Engineers
  • 17-2199.05 Mechatronics Engineers
  • 17-2199.09 Nanosystems Engineers
  • 17-2199.07 Photonics Engineers
  • 17-2072.01 Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
  • 17-2199.08 Robotics Engineers


No sources of additional information found.

Contact Texas Workforce Commission
Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.