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Mems Design Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

As pioneers in fiber optic gyros, ring laser gyros, and MEMS technologies, we drive innovation ... engineering team in the design and marketing of new product endeavors. · Prepare and present ...

Mems Design Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$36.4K

$136.5K

$194.5K

How much do mems design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for mems design engineer in Chicago, IL is $136,545.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,377.00 and $176,031.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by MEMS design engineers and how can they overcome them?

MEMS Design Engineers often face challenges related to miniaturization, device reliability, and integration with other electronics due to the complex and delicate nature of MEMS technology. Overcoming these issues typically involves rigorous simulation, iterative prototyping, and close collaboration with fabrication and testing teams to catch potential design flaws early. Staying up to date with the latest materials and manufacturing techniques can also help engineers address evolving requirements. Additionally, clear communication with cross-disciplinary colleagues ensures smooth transitions from design to production, increasing the likelihood of project success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a MEMS design engineer?

To thrive as a Mems Design Engineer, you need a strong background in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), physics, materials science, and electrical or mechanical engineering, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Proficiency with CAD tools, finite element analysis (FEA) software, and MEMS fabrication techniques is essential, alongside familiarity with industry standards and cleanroom protocols. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for successful collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for designing reliable MEMS devices, ensuring manufacturability, and delivering innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges.

What does a MEMS design engineer do?

A MEMS Design Engineer specializes in designing micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), which are tiny integrated devices that combine mechanical and electrical components. They work on developing sensors, actuators, and other micro-scale devices used in applications like automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics. Their responsibilities include modeling, simulation, fabrication process development, and testing MEMS devices to ensure performance and reliability. They often use CAD tools, finite element analysis (FEA), and semiconductor manufacturing techniques to create functional designs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mems Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Mems Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What job categories do people searching Mems Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Mems Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Mems Design Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $136,545 per year, or $65.6 per hour.

Senior Engineer, MEMS Characterization

Knowles Corporation

Itasca, IL • On-site

$115K - $135K/yr

Other

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Title: Senior Engineer, MEMS Characterization

Department: MEMS Engineering

Location: Itasca, Illinois


SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

MEMS Characterization Senior Engineer will work with design, process, and failure analysis engineer on assisting characterization and failure analysis of the MEMS device, while supporting technology development, product qualifications and quality monitoring. Employee will maintain and develop new test solutions, recommend hardware requirements based on existing trends in characterization.


Responsibilities

  • Developing and maintain MEMS test solutions for production failure analysis, collaborating with design and process engineering to further characterization efforts and drive yield improvement
  • Ensuring hardware and software installations are maintained.
  • Continuous improvement of characterization capabilities collaborating with MEMS development team
  • Perform microphone, MEMS, assembly failure analysis
  • Work with design and process engineer to define characterization requirements and support execution of the characterization, including submitting work order requests and writing characterization reports.


Qualifications

  • Master of Science/Engineering in Electrical/Mechanical/Material/Physics (or related field) with 2-5 years’ experience. PhD is a plus
  • Experience in troubleshooting, debugging and with failure analysis of MEMS sensors is desired
  • Familiar with material/device characterization using optical, electrical, mechanical methods
  • Basic knowledge of acoustics and mechanics is an asset.
  • Must be a team player with good communication skill.
  • Familiar with material/device characterization using optical, electrical, mechanical methods
  • Knowledge of calibration methodologies and best practices
  • Basic knowledge of statistical analysis (JMP, MiniTab, R) is an asset
  • Reliability testing experience is an asset
  • Experience with electrical test equipment such as parameter analyzer, oscilloscope, probe station, and data acquisition system are desired
  • Experience with advanced surface science methodologies (SEM, Raman, Auger, FIB, FTIR) an asset
  • Hands on experience on developing environmental testing setup and fixtures for sensors under thermal, vibration, and electrical tests is a plus
  • Solid foundation in MEMS microphone acoustics theory, including capacitive transduction principles (Experience analyzing thin-film residual stress, mechanical-electrical sensitivity optimization, damping resistance (Skvor's formula), and high-frequency response/SNR enhancement mechanisms) is a plus
  • Proficient in finite element analysis (FEA) tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics or ANSYS for 3D MEMS microphone simulations is a plus
  • Understand the principle of dynamic system modeling and proficient in Matlab Simulink and LTSpice is a plus


COMPANY DESCRIPTION:

Knowles is a market leader and global provider of advanced micro-acoustic microphones and balanced armature speakers, audio solutions, and high performance capacitors and radio frequency ("RF") filtering products, serving the MedTech, defense, consumer electronics, electric vehicle, industrial, and communications markets. Our focus on the customer, combined with unique technology, proprietary manufacturing techniques, and global operational expertise, enables us to deliver innovative solutions across multiple applications. Knowles, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, has approximately 7,000 employees at facilities located in 13 countries around the world. At Knowles, we are committed to engineering a better tomorrow through the actions we take on a daily basis. We believe that our focus on ethical, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable behavior guides our decision-making processes and helps keep us accountable. Visit us at knowles.com


We are committed to providing a competitive and fair total compensation package for all employees. One element in our total compensation package is base pay. The base pay is $115,000 - $135,000 per year based on working experience. Individual compensation decisions are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to previous experience and skills acquired prior to joining us, cost of living in the assigned work location, assigned schedule, and salaries of similarly situated peers at the company. It is to be expected that candidates will come to us with different sets of skills and experiences and therefore will be paid at different points in the stated range. We recognize that the person(s) we select for hire may be less experienced or more experienced than the role as posted; if this is the case, any updates to available salary ranges will be communicated with candidates during the recruitment process.


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