| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Plan or schedule engineering research or development projects involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Communicate operating characteristics or performance experience to other engineers or designers for training or new product development purposes. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Conduct analyses addressing issues such as failure, reliability, or yield improvement. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Create or maintain formal engineering documents, such as schematics, bills of materials, components or materials specifications, or packaging requirements. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Develop formal documentation for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, including quality assurance guidance, quality control protocols, process control checklists, data collection, or reporting. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Create schematics and physical layouts of integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) components or packaged assemblies consistent with process, functional, or package constraints. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Investigate characteristics such as cost, performance, or process capability of potential microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device designs, using simulation or modeling software. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Propose product designs involving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, considering market data or customer requirements. |
Industrial Design Engineering Careers and Jobs
Select, Find and Prepare for Industrial Design Engineering Careers and Jobs - all on one page
For people who want to design physical products and need both engineering and design skills. Use the tools below to see which industrial design engineering roles fit your background and goals.
This major blends product design aesthetics with engineering feasibility, distinct from pure engineering or pure art programs. Use the tools below to explore Industrial Design Engineering-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like Junior Product Designer, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Senior Industrial Designer or Product Development Lead. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as None formally required; portfolio and CAD skill matter most, that can help you move up the career ladder.
Here is a short Helper Video 
This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Industrial Design Engineering careers/jobs, (2) Find Industrial Design Engineering job listings, (3) Prepare for Industrial Design Engineering careers, and (4) Provide Industrial Design Engineering career-specific resources.
Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Industrial Design Engineering careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Industrial Design Engineering Careers - 2023 to 2033 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Industrial Design Engineering careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Industrial Design Engineering, so relevant Industrial Design Engineering jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Industrial Design Engineering Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Industrial Design Engineering Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Industrial Design Engineering careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 44 Industrial Design Engineering Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.
** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job
16 Industrial Design Engineering careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2023 to 2033 est.). Industrial Design Engineering-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:
| Occupations | U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033 (% change) | Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs |
19 Industrial Design Engineering careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Industrial Design Engineering-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::
| Occupations | National Median Salary | Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs |
20 Industrial Design Engineering careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Industrial Design Engineering-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.
|
Education/Preparation Categories: 5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.) 4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree 3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree 2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always Please Scroll and Select below: |
||
| Occupations | Education/Preparation | Industrial Design Engineering-Related Jobs |
Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 44 specific Industrial Design Engineering job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:
Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below
Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Find Job Listings:
Microsystems Engineers.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Microsystems Engineers
Description: Research, design, develop, or test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Microsystems Engineers":
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Conduct experimental or virtual studies to investigate characteristics and processing principles of potential microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Develop customer documentation, such as performance specifications, training manuals, or operating instructions. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Refine final microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) design to optimize design for target dimensions, physical tolerances, or processing constraints. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Evaluate materials, fabrication methods, joining methods, surface treatments, or packaging to ensure acceptable processing, performance, cost, sustainability, or availability. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Conduct acceptance tests, vendor-qualification protocols, surveys, audits, corrective-action reviews, or performance monitoring of incoming materials or components to ensure conformance to specifications. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Develop or validate specialized materials characterization procedures, such as thermal withstand, fatigue, notch sensitivity, abrasion, or hardness tests. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Conduct or oversee the conduct of prototype development or microfabrication activities to ensure compliance to specifications and promote effective production processes. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Develop or file intellectual property and patent disclosure or application documents related to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, products, or systems. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Devise microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) production methods, such as integrated circuit fabrication, lithographic electroform modeling, or micromachining. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Identify, procure, or develop test equipment, instrumentation, or facilities for characterization of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) applications. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: 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. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Develop or implement microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processing tools, fixtures, gages, dies, molds, or trays. |
| Importance: 57 (%) | Description: Demonstrate miniaturized systems that contain components, such as microsensors, microactuators, or integrated electronic circuits, fabricated on silicon or silicon carbide wafers. |
| Importance: 57 (%) | Description: Validate fabrication processes for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), using statistical process control implementation, virtual process simulations, data mining, or life testing. |
| Importance: 55 (%) | Description: Manage new product introduction projects to ensure effective deployment of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices or applications. |
| Importance: 47 (%) | Description: Develop or validate product-specific test protocols, acceptance thresholds, or inspection tools for quality control testing or performance measurement. |
| Importance: 44 (%) | Description: Oversee operation of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication or assembly equipment, such as handling, singulation, assembly, wire-bonding, soldering, or package sealing. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| 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. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: 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. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: 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. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: 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. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Analyze performance of systems or equipment. |
| Activity: Communicate with others about specifications or project details. |
| Activity: Create visual designs or displays. |
| Activity: Design electrical or electronic systems or equipment. |
| Activity: Design industrial systems or equipment. |
| Activity: Design materials or devices. |
| Activity: Develop models of systems, processes, or products. |
| Activity: Develop operational or technical procedures or standards. |
| Activity: Develop research plans or methodologies. |
| Activity: Develop systems or practices to mitigate or resolve environmental problems. |
| Activity: Direct scientific or technical activities. |
| Activity: Document technical designs, procedures, or activities. |
| Activity: Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment. |
| Activity: Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities. |
| Activity: Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance. |
| Activity: Operate laboratory or field equipment. |
| Activity: Prepare documentation for contracts, applications, or permits. |
| Activity: Prepare proposals or grant applications. |
| Activity: Purchase goods or services. |
| Activity: Research organizational behavior, processes, or performance. |
| Activity: Research technology designs or applications. |
| Activity: Schedule operational activities. |
| Activity: Select materials or equipment for operations or projects. |
| Activity: Test performance of equipment or systems. |
| Activity: Train others on operational or work procedures. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SAS The MathWorks MATLAB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Autodesk AutoCAD Dassault Systemes SolidWorks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Access | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development environment software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| C Microsoft Visual Basic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Outlook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SAP software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| File versioning software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Git | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adobe Photoshop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software (scroll table below): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Office suite software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Office software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating system software (scroll table below): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Presentation software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Project management software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Project | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Excel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Web page creation and editing software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Web platform development software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JavaScript | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Word processing software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Word | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General Software Tools | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software (scroll table below): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software (scroll table below): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development environment software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National Instruments LabVIEW Verilog Very high-speed integrated circuit VHSIC hardware description language VHDL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial control software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statistical process control SPC software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Internet browser software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Web browser software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating system software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real time operating system RTOS software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Program testing software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debugging software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Requirements analysis and system architecture software: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unified modeling language UML |
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed |
| Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. |
| Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). |
| Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. |
| These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 34.2 (%) | Level of Education: Master's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 30.6 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 21.8 (%) | Level of Education: Doctoral Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 13.1 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) | Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 38.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 21.9 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 16.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 13.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 8.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Job Listings
| Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings |
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources
This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Microsystems Engineers". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Microsystems Engineers
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page
© 2026 - Disclaimer - Privacy