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Microfabrication Engineers


Overview

Microfabrication Engineers

Introduction

Microfabrication engineers research, design, develop, and test microfabricated systems—or, as they are more commonly known, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The dimensions of a microelectromechanical system can range from less than one micrometer to several millimeters. These are tiny systems: there are an estimated 25,400 micrometers in just one inch. There are many uses for microelectromechanical systems. For example, MEMS are used in microsensors, computer chips, flat-panel displays, and photovoltaic (solar) cells. Microfab...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$103,400

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Employment Prospects

Excellent

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Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree


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Experience

An internship, co-op, volunteer position, or part-time job at a m
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Skills

Math
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Personality Traits

Problem-Solving
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Earnings

Electrical engineers employed in semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing earned median annual salaries of $104,170 in May 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Those who work in navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing earned $103,400 a year. Salaries for all electrical engineers ranged from less than $63,020 to $155,880 or mor...

Work Environment

Typical work settings for microfabrication engineers include cleanrooms (in which they are required to wear full-body clean, or "bunny," suits), research laboratories, offices, and processing or manufacturing plants. Engineers can expect a typical 40-hour workweek, although they may occasionally be required to work overtime at night and on weekends to meet project deadlines. In settings where h...

Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) does not provide an employment outlook for microfabrication engineers, but it does offer the following job growth predictions (through 2029) for engineers who conduct research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences:

  • biomedical engineers: +5 percent (faster than the average)
  • aerospace engineers: +3 percent (about a...