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Microsystems Engineers

Typical education: Master's degreeLower pressure

What they do

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

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $122,930 Median per year · $59.10/hr Most earn $66,810–$189,950

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Develop or validate product-specific test protocols, acceptance thresholds, or inspection tools for quality control testing or performance measurement.
  • Communicate operating characteristics or performance experience to other engineers or 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.
  • Create schematics and physical layouts of integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) components or packaged assemblies consistent with process, functional, or package constraints.
  • Plan or schedule engineering research or development projects involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
  • Conduct experimental or virtual studies to investigate characteristics and processing principles of potential microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 8,800 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Federal government, excluding postal service21.8%
  • Engineering services11.0%
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences6.5%
  • Self-employed (their own business)5.2%
  • Management of companies and enterprises4.6%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 4 to 6 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Master's degreeExperience before this job: 4 to 6 years

Microsystems Engineering is not an entry-level job. Most people first earn an engineering bachelor's degree, work as an engineer for a few years, and then earn a master's degree before moving into this role, which usually takes about 8 to 10 years in total.

  1. Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or materials engineering

    4 years

    You learn circuits, materials, physics, and design, which are the core skills MEMS work is built on.

  2. Electronics Engineer

    2-4 years

    You gain hands-on experience designing and testing electronic systems, and you learn how real products are built and tested.

  3. Master's degree in microsystems, MEMS, or electrical engineering

    2 years

    Advanced coursework and research on micro-scale devices prepare you for the design and research work this career involves.

  4. Microsystems Engineer

    4-6 years of prior experience before this role

    You research, design, develop, or test MEMS devices, such as tiny sensors and actuators used in phones, cars, and medical tools.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Microsystems Engineer

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on larger projects, lead design reviews, and mentor newer engineers, and you are expected to work more independently.

  2. Engineering Manager

    5+ years of experience first

    You shift from hands-on design toward leading a team, planning projects, and managing budgets and people, which often requires strong communication skills.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take physics, calculus, and chemistryThese classes build the math and science background you will need for any engineering degree.
  • Join a robotics team or science fairBuilding and testing a project teaches design, troubleshooting, and teamwork, which are the everyday skills of engineers.
  • Learn basic coding and CAD softwareMany engineering jobs use programming and computer design tools, and you can often learn them through free online courses or your school's computer classes.
  • Look for a summer program at a local college or engineering centerMany colleges and museums run summer science or engineering programs for high schoolers, which give you a taste of lab work.
  • Get a part-time job or volunteer at a makerspace or electronics repair shopWorking with circuits and small devices gives you practical experience that makes engineering classes easier to follow.

In college

  • Major in electrical or mechanical engineeringEither major gives you the core knowledge needed for later graduate study in microsystems or MEMS.
  • Join a research lab that works on sensors or micro-scale devicesHands-on research with a professor is one of the best ways to learn MEMS-related work and to prepare for a master's program.
  • Complete an internship at an electronics or sensor companyAn internship shows you how engineering teams work in industry and can lead to a job after graduation.
  • Take courses in materials science, semiconductor devices, or microfabrication if your school offers themThese classes match the materials and manufacturing skills that MEMS engineers use every day.
  • Join a student engineering club, such as an IEEE student branch or a design teamClubs help you build teamwork skills, meet professionals, and gain project experience you can list on a resume.

Tips for getting started

  • Build a strong foundation in math and physics early, since almost every later step depends on them. Ask your school counselor about advanced classes you can take.
  • Look for hands-on experience, like research with a professor, a student design team, or an internship at a company that makes sensors or electronics. Employers value practical work.
  • Pay attention to whether you enjoy the lab and design side of engineering as well as the classroom side, because this career involves a lot of testing and hands-on problem solving.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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