Surface Mount Technician (SMT)

Job Title: Surface Mount Technician (SMT)
Type: Direct Hire
Shift: 1st

We are seeking an experienced Surface Mount Technician to support SMT production operations in a fast-paced electronics manufacturing environment specializing in cables, harnesses, and printed circuit board assemblies. The ideal candidate will ensure high-quality production output while supporting equipment setup, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role requires strong technical knowledge and the ability to work from engineering documentation, drawings, and specifications while contributing to team performance and production efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate SMT production equipment including solder paste printers, pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, and automated inspection systems 

• Load feeders, reels, trays, and electronic components according to production documentation 

• Verify correct component placement, polarity, and orientation during setup and production 

• Perform product changeovers including program loading, feeder setup, stencil changes, and tooling adjustments 

• Verify BOMs, placement files, and machine programs prior to production runs 

• Conduct first article inspections to confirm proper setup and product compliance 

• Complete production documentation and maintain traceability records 

• Record machine downtime, defects, and production issues 

• Follow work instructions, process documentation, and established quality procedures 

• Operate and interpret results from Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) systems 

Knowledge / Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent required 

• Associate degree in Electronics or related technical field preferred 

• IPC-A-610 and/or IPC-620 certification preferred 

• Strong understanding of electronic components, PCB assemblies, and cable assemblies 

Skills

• Strong understanding of SMT assembly processes and workflows 

• Ability to read and interpret: 

  • PCB assembly drawings 

  • Bill of Materials (BOM) 

  • Work instructions 

• Familiarity with IPC-A-610 standards 

• Experience with feeder setup and SMT machine troubleshooting 

• Experience with SMT equipment such as: 

  • Fuji 

  • Yamaha 

  • ASM / Siemens 

  • Panasonic 

  • Juki 

  • Mydata / Mycronic 

  • SPI (Solder Paste Inspection systems) 

  • AOI (Automated Optical Inspection systems) 

• Experience with thermal profiling tools 

• Experience in lean manufacturing or continuous improvement environments 

Experience

• 3–5 years of SMT manufacturing experience preferred 

• Hands-on experience operating SMT equipment including: 

  • Solder paste printers 

  • Pick-and-place machines 

  • Reflow ovens 

  • AOI and/or SPI systems