SMT OPERATOR

Location: Loughborough

Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 depending on experience.

Working hours: 07:00 – 15:30 Monday to Friday, and 07:00 – 12:30 Fridays.

Job Purpose

To set up, operate and maintain SMT production equipment, ensuring the efficient manufacture of high-quality electronic assemblies that meet customer specifications, quality standards and delivery requirements, whilst supporting continuous improvement activities within the Production department.

Responsibilities

• Set-up, change over and operate SMT production line in accordance with production schedules, work instructions and business objectives
• Operate SMT equipment including screen printers, pick and place machines, reflow ovens and associated production equipment
• Ensure all products are manufactured in accordance with customer requirements, technical documentation, internal procedures and applicable industry standards.
• Carry out first-off inspections and in-process verification checks to ensure product quality and process compliance.
• Perform manual inspection activities where required, identifying defects and escalating quality concerns appropriately.
• Verify component part numbers, batch information and feeder set-up prior to production runs to ensure material traceability and product conformity
• Monitor line performance, identify process issues and take appropriate action to minimise downtime and maintain production output
• Perform routine preventative maintenance, schedule cleaning, machine verification checks and first-line fault-finding activities on SMT equipment, escalating persistent or complex equipment issues to the SMT Technician or Engineering
• Complete production records, machine logs, traceability documentation and quality records accurately and in a timely manner.
• Support Engineering with NPI activities, including line set-up, first-off builds, product introductions and process validation activities
• Assist with root-cause investigations, corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives aimed at improving quality, efficiency and productivity
• Support production activities outside the SMT area where required to meet customer delivery requirements and business objectives
• Assist the Production Supervisor in resolving production issues and maintaining daily production targets
• Highlight recurring defects, equipment issues and process inefficiencies to support continuous improvement activities
• Train and support other team members where required, sharing knowledge and promoting best practices
• Promote high standards of quality, ESD compliance, Health & Safety and housekeeping within the production area
• Adhere to all relevant company policies, procedures, work instructions and quality requirements
• Communicate effectively with Production, Engineering, Quality and other relevant departments to ensure efficient workflow and issue resolution
• Escalate issues outside their authority to the SMT Supervisor, Production Supervisor or Production Manager in accordance with the organisational structure.