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About — Ali Shafaghi

From mechanical systems to microscale engineering.

I’m Ali Shafaghi, a MEMS and microfabrication engineer based in Munich. My work brings together device physics, cleanroom fabrication and process development to transform complex concepts into reliable, manufacturable technologies.

Background

Ph.D.
Mechatronic Engineering

Focus

MEMS &
Microfabrication

Based in

Munich,
Germany

About / IntroductionDiscover my story

01 — My Story

Mechanical engineer by foundation
MEMS process engineer by practice

I didn’t leave mechanical engineering behind.

I learned to apply it where microns matter.

Foundation

My early work in fluid dynamics, heat transfer and simulation taught me to connect mathematical models with the behavior of physical systems—and to improve designs through evidence rather than assumption.

Transition

During my Ph.D. and later at SUNUM, the same mindset moved into the cleanroom: designing polymeric MEMS devices, integrating thermal actuation and optical sensing, and refining processes through repeated experimentation.

Today

Concept → materials → fabrication → characterization → integration → repeatability

02 — Evidence in Practice

Experience built through repetition, iteration and responsibility.

A record shaped by hands-on fabrication, process improvement and responsibility for both technical outcomes and people.

6+Years

MEMS and microfabrication experience

Research, development and process engineering

100+Runs

Cleanroom fabrication runs

Across polymers, lithography, etching and thin films

50%Reduction

Lower unit production cost

Through DFM-led process optimization

3Researchers

Junior researchers supervised

Hands-on guidance in cleanroom execution

Hands-on engineering evidenceFrom prototype development to process stability

03 — Engineering Principles

A reliable process begins long before the first wafer enters the cleanroom.

Decision-making across
device physics and process development

01

Understand the physics

Begin with the device mechanism, material behavior and performance requirements before defining the fabrication route.

02

Design around the process

Consider equipment limitations, alignment, tolerances and interfaces while the device architecture is still being shaped.

03

Treat failure as evidence

Trace defects to their process origin and use structured experiments to test corrective actions rather than relying on assumptions.

04

Optimize for repeatability

Move beyond a successful prototype toward stable process windows, clear documentation and reproducible results.

04 — Professional Journey

Built across disciplines, laboratories and countries.

Iran → Istanbul → Munich

01

2009–2018

Iran

Mechanical foundation

Mechanical engineering studies followed by thermal-fluid and mechanical R&D, establishing a foundation in simulation, validation and practical design.

02

2019–2024

Istanbul · Sabancı University

MEMS research

Ph.D. research on polymeric MEMS scanning probes, thermal actuation, optical sensing and iterative cleanroom fabrication.

03

2024–2026

Istanbul · SUNUM

Process development

End-to-end cleanroom development, process optimization, defect analysis, device integration and guidance of junior researchers.

04

2026 →

Munich · Germany

Next chapter

Bringing multidisciplinary MEMS and microfabrication experience into an industrial process-development environment.

Selected industry placements

Manufacturing foundations → Semiconductor process development

2011 · Summer

Iran Tractor Manufacturing Co.

Manufacturing Engineering Intern

Machining · Assembly

Dimensional Inspection · Quality Checks

2012 · Summer

Tabriz Machine Manufacturing Co.

Mechanical Design & Manufacturing Intern

Engineering Drawings · Machining Sequences

Dimensional Tolerances · Inspection

2015 · 6 Months

Iranian Diesel Engine Manufacturing Co. (IDEM)

Thermal & CFD Engineering Intern

CFD · Thermal Analysis

Simulation-to-Test Comparison · Design Evaluation

2022 · 6 Months

TÜBİTAK BİLGEM YİTAL

Semiconductor Process Development Intern

Photolithography · Thin-Film Deposition

Plasma Processing

Wafer-Level Characterization

Mechanical systems → microscale devicesResearch depth → industrial process thinking

05 — Next Chapter

Let’s build the next reliable process.

I’m based in Munich and open to opportunities in MEMS, microfabrication and semiconductor process development.

Process Integration · Cleanroom Manufacturing · Multidisciplinary R&D

Ali Shafaghi

MEMS & Microfabrication Engineer

Munich · Germany