Systems and methods for forming an electrostatic MEMS plate switch include forming a deformable plate on a first substrate, forming the electrical contacts on a second substrate, and coupling the two substrates using a hermetic seal. The deformable plate may have a flexible shunt bar which has one end coupled to the deformable plate, and the other end coupled to a contact on the second substrate. Upon activating the switch, the deformable plate urges the shunt bar against a second contact formed in the second substrate, thereby closing the switch. The hermetic seal may be a gold/indium alloy, formed by heating a layer of indium plated over a layer of gold. Electrical access to the electrostatic MEMS switch may be made by forming vias through the thickness of the second substrate.