Lead Microsystems Engineer

Devyantram; Ashburn (GA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Devyantram in Ashburn, GA is seeking a senior MEMS/NEMS engineer to lead design, fabrication, and integration of microsystems and distributed micro/nano-robotic platforms. You own the microsystem layer and coordinate with photonics, bioengineering, controls, and mechatronics teams.

The role emphasizes end-to-end hardware, process development, test, and IP generation, with mentorship of junior engineers and long-term roadmap planning.

Qualifications

• MS/PhD required in EE, Physics, ME, or Materials Science.
• 8+ years in MEMS/NEMS design and micro/nanofabrication.
• Strong cleanroom and foundry experience including process development and device characterization.

Responsibilities

• Design MEMS/NEMS devices for sensing, actuation, and interfacing.
• Own micro/nanofabrication workflows from cleanroom to foundry.
• Define packaging, integration, and scaling strategy for microsystem devices.
• Establish device level test, metrology, and reliability practices.
• Architect distributed micro and nano-robotic platforms and coordination strategies.
• Enable cooperative, hierarchical, and adaptive behaviors across large distributed units.
• Define locomotion, actuation, and power approaches for micro/nano scale.
• Contribute microsystem elements to brain-inspired compute hardware.
• Co-design with photonics, bioengineering, controls, and mechatronics teams for integration.
• Translate system requirements into physical micro/nano implementations.
• Generate IP across MEMS/NEMS and micro/nano-robotics; lead invention disclosures.
• Define long-term microsystem hardware roadmap and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

MEMS/NEMS design

Microfabrication

Cleanroom

Device characterization

Experimental design

System integration

Test & validation

IP strategy

Education

MS/PhD in EE, Physics, ME, or Materials Sci

Job description

Role Summary

You will lead the design, fabrication, and integration of Devyantram’s MEMS/NEMS subsystems and its distributed micro and nano-robotic platforms. You own the microsystem layer that gives the platform physical sensing, actuation, and transduction at the micro and nano scale, and you architect how many small units coordinate into capable collective systems. You are responsible for architecting microsystem hardware end to end, not just building individual devices, working closely with the photonics, bioengineering, controls, and mechatronics leads on integration.

Key Responsibilities

MEMS/NEMS Engineering

• Design MEMS/NEMS devices for sensing, actuation, signal transduction, and interfacing across the platform.
• Own microfabrication and nanofabrication workflows from cleanroom through foundry, including process design, yield, and characterization.
• Define packaging, integration, and scaling strategy for microsystem devices.
• Establish device-level test, metrology, and reliability practices across operating envelopes, including defense-grade conditions.

Micro/Nano-Robotic Systems

• Architect distributed micro and nano-robotic platforms and their coordination strategies.
• Enable cooperative, hierarchical, and adaptive behaviors across large numbers of distributed units and scales.
• Define locomotion, actuation, and power approaches appropriate to the micro and nano scale.

Integration and Compute Hardware

• Contribute microsystem and electromechanical elements to the platform’s unconventional, brain-inspired compute hardware.
• Co-design with the photonics, bioengineering, controls, and mechatronics leads so microsystem devices integrate cleanly into unified embodiments.
• Translate system and cognitive requirements into physical micro and nano implementations.

IP and Technical Leadership

• Generate foundational IP across MEMS/NEMS and micro/nano-robotics.
• Lead invention disclosures and support patent strategy in coordination with counsel.
• Define the long‑term microsystem hardware roadmap and mentor junior engineers.

Required Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of demonstrated expertise in MEMS/NEMS design and micro/nanofabrication.
• Strong cleanroom and foundry experience, including process development, yield, and device characterization.
• Proven ability to bridge device physics, fabrication, and system-level integration.
• Hands‑on builder: strong experimental design, test, and validation skills.

Strongly Preferred

• Nanorobotics or microrobotics, including distributed or collective systems.
• Microsystem actuation and transduction (piezoelectric, electrostatic, electrothermal, magnetic, or similar).
• Unconventional or non‑von‑Neumann compute hardware.
• Microsystem sensing for harsh, contaminated, or hostile environments.
• Advanced research lab or deep‑tech startup experience.

A Successful Candidate Will Be Measured By

• Functionality, performance, and manufacturability of MEMS/NEMS devices.
• Functional autonomy, coordination, and scalability of micro and nano‑robotic platforms.
• Reliability of microsystem integration across subsystems.
• Strength, novelty, and defensibility of generated core IP.

The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.