Jobs / Architecture and engineering / 17-2199.06

Microsystems Engineers

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

US jobs
154,070 (SOC 17-2199 group, "Engineers, All Other")
Median wage
$122,930 a year
Job family
Architecture and engineering

Can agents do the work of microsystems engineers?

We read the evidence at the level of the job family, Architecture and engineering:

  • Task levelUnexploredNo task-level benchmark in our collection tests architecture or engineering design work, such as CAD modeling or engineering calculations.
  • Project levelNot yetWhole projects are mostly out of reach. The Remote Labor Index includes 3D, CAD, and architecture projects; across all its projects, the best agent completed 15.8% to a standard a client would accept. GDPval includes mechanical engineers, and its deliverables score higher, but those tasks are one-shot and fully specified.

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in architecture and engineering, not always this occupation's tasks.

  • GDPvalby OpenAIProject level · Wins plus ties against experts
    84.9%GPT-5.5 · Apr 2026
    Strong
  • GDPval-AAby Artificial AnalysisProject level · GDPval-AA Elo
    1846 EloClaude Opus 5.5 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort, Default Fallback) · 23 Sep 2026
    Unrated
  • Remote Labor Indexby CAIS and Scale AIProject level · Automation rate
    15.8%Claude Fable 5 · 1 Jul 2026
    Open

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • 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.
  • Develop formal documentation for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, including quality assurance guidance, quality control protocols, process control checklists, data collection, or reporting.
  • Communicate operating characteristics or performance experience to other engineers or designers for training or new product development purposes.
  • Evaluate materials, fabrication methods, joining methods, surface treatments, or packaging to ensure acceptable processing, performance, cost, sustainability, or availability.
  • Refine final microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) design to optimize design for target dimensions, physical tolerances, or processing constraints.
  • 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.
  • Develop or file intellectual property and patent disclosure or application documents related to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, products, or systems.
Other job titles for this occupation (28)

Control Systems Engineer · MEMS Integration Engineer (Microelectrical Mechanical Integration Engineer) · Microsystems Engineer · Process Engineer · Product Design Engineer · Project Design Engineer · Project Engineer · Radio Frequency Design Engineer (RF Design Engineer) · System Engineer · Systems Engineer · Applications Engineer · Arrhythmia Engineer · Design Engineer · Device Engineer · Engineer · GaN Device Engineer (Gallium Nitride Device Engineer) · Medical Device Engineer · MEMS Device Scientist (Microelectromechanical Systems Device Scientist) · MEMS Engineer (Microelectromechanical Systems Engineer) · MEMS Process Engineer (Microelectromechanical Systems Process Engineer) · Microelectronics Engineer · Mobile Device Engineer · Mobile Engineer · Patent Engineer · Semiconductor Engineer · Semiconductor Radiation Effects Engineer · Semiconductor Test Engineer · Test Engineer