microsystem-engineer/references/tasks.md

# Tasks & work activities — microsystem engineer

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 17-2199.06 (Microsystems Engineers).

## Task statements

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

## Detailed work activities

- Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.
- Conduct validation tests of equipment or processes.
- Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
- Create graphical representations of mechanical equipment.
- Create models of engineering designs or methods.
- Design alternative energy systems.
- Design electromechanical equipment or systems.
- Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
- Design energy production or management equipment or systems.
- Design industrial processing systems.
- Design micro- or nano-scale materials, devices, or systems.
- Design systems to reduce harmful emissions.
- Develop technical methods or processes.
- Devise research or testing protocols.
- Direct design or development activities.
- Document technical design details.
- Inspect operational processes.
- Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
- Operate precision equipment to control microscopic or nanoscopic processes.
- Prepare contracts, disclosures, or applications.
- Prepare procedural documents.
- Prepare proposal documents.
- Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.
- Research engineering applications of emerging technologies.
- Research industrial processes or operations.
- Schedule operational activities.
- Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
- Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
- Train personnel on proper operational procedures.