SMT Setup Pro: Changeovers & Precise PCB Assembly

Rocket EMS; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket EMS is seeking an SMT Setup Operator in Santa Clara to prepare materials, feeders, and equipment for surface mount production. You will ensure accurate setups per BOMs, machine programs, and customer requirements while coordinating with SMT Operators, Quality, and Engineering.

The role supports line changeovers, material traceability, and efficient product changeovers, with focus on minimizing downtime and ensuring ESD/MSD compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience with SMT setup and feeder preparation.
• Ability to follow setup documentation and bills of materials.
• Familiarity with IPC-A-610 helpful.
• Basic computer and barcode-scanning skills.
• Ability to lift and stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Review production schedules, travelers, bills of materials, setup sheets, and machine load lists before beginning each setup.
• Stage component reels, trays, tubes, feeders, and trolleys required for scheduled SMT production jobs.
• Verify component part numbers, quantities, package types, lot information, polarity, orientation, and feeder locations against approved setup documentation.
• Load component reels into feeders and install feeders onto trolleys or feeder carts according to the machine setup and program requirements.
• Scan and record materials, feeders, and production information as required to maintain accurate component traceability.
• Prepare complete offline setups to minimize machine downtime and support efficient product changeovers.
• Assist with loading, verifying, and changing over SMT pick-and-place equipment.
• Remove feeders and materials after production runs and properly identify, package, and return unused components to the appropriate storage location.
• Follow all electrostatic discharge (ESD) and moisture-sensitive device (MSD) handling requirements, including floor-life and dry-storage controls.
• Inspect feeders, reels, splices, and component packaging for damage, contamination, or other conditions that could affect production.
• Identify and report material shortages, incorrect components, damaged feeders, documentation discrepancies, and other setup-related issues.
• Support feeder cleaning, basic feeder maintenance, and replacement of worn or damaged feeder components as authorized.
• Maintain clean, organized, and clearly identified setup and staging areas in accordance with 5S requirements.
• Communicate job status, shortages, setup concerns, and shift pass-down information to SMT Operators, leads, supervisors, and other affected departments.
• Follow all travelers, manufacturing process instructions, work instructions, quality requirements, and safety procedures.
• Support continuous improvement efforts focused on reducing setup errors, shortening changeover times, and improving line utilization.

Skills

SMT setup

Feeder preparation

Electronics manufacturing

Material handling

Tools

Pick-and-place equipment

Feeder systems

Job description

Rocket EMS is seeking an SMT Setup Operator in Santa Clara to prepare materials, feeders, and equipment for surface mount production. You will ensure accurate setups per BOMs, machine programs, and customer requirements while coordinating with SMT Operators, Quality, and Engineering.

The role supports line changeovers, material traceability, and efficient product changeovers, with focus on minimizing downtime and ensuring ESD/MSD compliance.