Profession microsystem engineering technician

Microsystem engineering technicians collaborate with micro-system engineers in the development of microsystems or microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, which can be integrated in mechanical, optical, acoustic, and electronic products. Microsystem engineering technicians are responsible for building, testing, and maintaining the microsystems.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Microsystem test procedures

  The methods of testing the quality, accuracy, and performance of microsystems and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and their materials and components before, during, and after the building of the systems, such as parametric tests and burn-in tests.

• Microelectromechanical systems

  Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are miniaturised electromechanical systems made using processes of microfabrication. MEMS consist of microsensors, microactuators, microstructures, and microelectronics. MEMS can be used in a range of appliances, such as ink jet printer heads, digital light processors, gyroscopes in smart phones, accelerometers for airbags, and miniature microphones.

• Microassembly

  The assembly of nano, micro or mesoscale systems and components with dimensions between 1 µm to 1 mm. Because of the need for precision on a microscale, micro assemblies require reliable visual alignment equipment, such as ion beam imaging systems and stereo electronic microscopes, as well as precision tools and machines, such as microgrippers. The microsystems are assembled according to techniques of doping, thin films, etching, bonding, microlithography, and polishing.

• Design drawings

  Understand design drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.

• Quality standards

  The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

Skills

• Prepare production prototypes

  Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.

• Assist scientific research

  Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.

• Package microelectromechanical systems

  Integrate the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) into microdevices through assembly, joining, fastening, and encapsulation techniques. Packaging allows for the support and protection of the integrated circuits, printed circuit boards, and associate wire bonds.

• Record test data

  Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.

• Wear cleanroom suit

  Wear garments appropriate for environments that require a high level of cleanliness to control the level of contamination.

• Meet deadlines

  Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

• Fasten components

  Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.

• Test microelectromechanical systems

  Test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) using appropriate equipment and testing techniques, such as thermal shock tests, thermal cycling tests, and burn-in tests. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.

• Align components

  Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.

• Set tolerances

  Align tolerances while inserting and placing different parts to avoid tolerance discrepancy and misfits in assembly.

• Adjust engineering designs

  Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.

• Read assembly drawings

  Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a product.

• Liaise with engineers

  Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.

• Read engineering drawings

  Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.

• Assemble microelectromechanical systems

  Build microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) using microscopes, tweezers, or pick-and-place robots. Slice substrates from single wafers and bond components onto the wafer surface through soldering and bonding techniques, such as eutectic soldering and silicon fusion bonding (SFB). Bond the wires through special wire bonding techniques such as thermocompression bonding, and hermetically seal the system or device through mechanical sealing techniques or micro shells. Seal and encapsulate the MEMS in vacuum.

• Inspect quality of products

  Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB