Chris Keimel

Chris Keimel is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Menlo Microsystems,
where he has been instrumental in the conception, development, and commercialization
of the company’s revolutionary MEMS switch technology. As CTO, Chris leads Menlo’s
technical strategy, driving innovation that is reshaping the landscape of modern
electrical and electronic systems.
Under Chris’s technical leadership, Menlo Microsystems is setting a new standard in
switch technology through its proprietary MEMS platform and the breakthrough Ideal
Switch®. This scalable, high-performance solution is poised to transform multibillion-
dollar markets by redefining the way next-generation systems are designed—delivering
unmatched reliability, efficiency, and performance while significantly lowering total cost
of ownership. From milliwatts to megawatts, and DC to mmWave, Menlo enables
cutting-edge advancements across AI/HPC, test and measurement, aerospace,
defense, industrial automation, and telecommunications.
Chris’s vision has been central to enabling customers to realize high-speed digital, RF,
and power innovations—whether accelerating GPU testing in AI, enhancing
beamforming in satellite communications, reducing energy usage in factory automation,
or advancing fast fault detection and protection across critical infrastructure.
Prior to founding Menlo Microsystems, Chris served as a Senior Engineer at GE Global
Research, where he led the development of advanced metal MEMS technology for
more than 12 years. His work has resulted in over 35 granted patents and more than 15
peer-reviewed publications in premier journals such as Nature and Applied Physics
Letters. He has also played a prominent role in the scientific community—organizing
MEMS-focused symposia for the Materials Research Society, delivering numerous
invited talks, and serving as a peer reviewer for leading technical journals.