A microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor, comprising: a MEMS layer; at least one first anchoring component located in the MEMS layer; at least one second anchoring component located in the MEMS layer; a spring-mass system suspended from the at least one first anchoring component and the at least one second anchoring component and located in the MEMS layer, the spring-mass system comprising: at least one sense mass, wherein the at least one sense mass moves in response to a sensed inertial force; a first rigid mass coupled to the at least one first anchoring component by at least one first anchoring spring; at least one lever arm coupled to the sense mass by a proof mass spring and coupled to the at least one first anchoring component via the first rigid mass and the first anchoring spring; at least one drive mass coupled to the at least one lever arm via a drive spring to cause rotation of the at least one lever arm within the MEMS layer when a drive force is applied to the at least one drive mass; and a second rigid mass coupled to the at least one second anchoring component by at least one second anchoring spring, wherein the at least one drive mass is coupled to the at least one second anchoring component via the second rigid mass and the second anchoring spring; characterized in that the at least one sense mass is arranged to move in a linear motion within the MEMS layer in response to the rotation of the at least one lever arm; and the first rigid mass and the second rigid mass are substantially stationary within the MEMS layer during the operation of the MEMS sensor and in response to the sensed inertial force. a MEMS layer; at least one first anchoring component located in the MEMS layer; at least one second anchoring component located in the MEMS layer; a spring-mass system suspended from the at least one first anchoring component and the at least one second anchoring component and located in the MEMS layer, the spring-mass system comprising: at least one sense mass, wherein the at least one sense mass moves in response to a sensed inertial force; a first rigid mass coupled to the at least one first anchoring component by at least one first anchoring spring; at least one lever arm coupled to the sense mass by a proof mass spring and coupled to the at least one first anchoring component via the first rigid mass and the first anchoring spring; at least one drive mass coupled to the at least one lever arm via a drive spring to cause rotation of the at least one lever arm within the MEMS layer when a drive force is applied to the at least one drive mass; and a second rigid mass coupled to the at least one second anchoring component by at least one second anchoring spring, wherein the at least one drive mass is coupled to the at least one second anchoring component via the second rigid mass and the second anchoring spring; at least one sense mass, wherein the at least one sense mass moves in response to a sensed inertial force; a first rigid mass coupled to the at least one first anchoring component by at least one first anchoring spring; at least one lever arm coupled to the sense mass by a proof mass spring and coupled to the at least one first anchoring component via the first rigid mass and the first anchoring spring; at least one drive mass coupled to the at least one lever arm via a drive spring to cause rotation of the at least one lever arm within the MEMS layer when a drive force is applied to the at least one drive mass; and a second rigid mass coupled to the at least one second anchoring component by at least one second anchoring spring, wherein the at least one drive mass is coupled to the at least one second anchoring component via the second rigid mass and the second anchoring spring; characterized in that the at least one sense mass is arranged to move in a linear motion within the MEMS layer in response to the rotation of the at least one lever arm; and the first rigid mass and the second rigid mass are substantially stationary within the MEMS layer during the operation of the MEMS sensor and in response to the sensed inertial force.