SMT Technician

Northwood Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood Space is seeking an SMT Technician to own the setup, programming, and performance of our surface mount line across production and new product introduction (NPI) builds. This role is critical to delivering high-reliability electronics on schedule and at scale, with direct impact on our ability to deploy next-generation space communication systems.

You will keep print, placement, reflow, and inspection equipment running at peak performance, catch defects before they move downstream, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 5+ years SMT electronics manufacturing experience.
• Hands-on experience with SMT equipment setup and operation.
• Experience programming/editing SMT placement or inspection programs.
• Experience creating travelers, BOMs, work instructions, and assembly drawings.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate SMT equipment, including screen printers, pick-and-place, reflow ovens, SPI, AOI, and X-ray, including feeder setup, component verification, and changeovers per work instructions
• Create, debug, and optimize programs for pick-and-place, screen printer, SPI, AOI, and X-ray equipment
• Configure and tune process parameters such as nozzles, conveyor speeds, print settings, and reflow profiles
• Perform preventive maintenance, cleaning, calibration, and repairs, and partner with Engineering to diagnose and resolve equipment issues
• Inspect solder quality using microscopes, AOI, and X-ray to IPC-A-610 standards, documenting defects and root causes
• Support production and NPI builds, assist technicians and Engineering with technical issues, and drive continuous improvement of SOPs and processes

Skills

SMT electronics manufacturing

Equipment setup and operation

Program editing for SMT equipment

Travelers, BOMs, WIs, drawings

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Fuji placement

Heller reflow

Nordson CyberOptics SPI/AOI

Screen printer

Pick-and-place

Reflow ovens

AOI

X-ray inspection

Job description

About Northwood:

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

Role:

We are seeking a Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) Technician to own the setup, programming, and performance of our surface mount line across production and new product introduction (NPI) builds. This role is critical to delivering high-reliability electronics on schedule and at scale, with direct impact on our ability to deploy next-generation space communication systems. You will keep print, placement, reflow, and inspection equipment running at peak performance, catch defects before they move downstream, and work closely with Engineering to turn new designs into repeatable, high-yield builds.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate SMT equipment, including screen printers, pick-and-place, reflow ovens, SPI, AOI, and X-ray, including feeder setup, component verification, and changeovers per work instructions
• Create, debug, and optimize programs for pick-and-place, screen printer, SPI, AOI, and X-ray equipment
• Configure and tune process parameters such as nozzles, conveyor speeds, print settings, and reflow profiles
• Perform preventive maintenance, cleaning, calibration, and repairs, and partner with Engineering to diagnose and resolve equipment issues
• Inspect solder quality using microscopes, AOI, and X-ray to IPC-A-610 standards, documenting defects and root causes
• Support production and NPI builds, assist technicians and Engineering with technical issues, and drive continuous improvement of SOPs and processes

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 5+ years of experience in SMT electronics manufacturing
• Hands-on experience operating and setting up SMT equipment (screen printer, pick-and-place, reflow, and inspection)
• Experience programming or editing programs on SMT placement or inspection equipment
• Experience building to travelers, BOMs, work instructions, and assembly drawings

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiar with IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001
• Experience with Fuji placement, Heller reflow, and Nordson CyberOptics SPI/AOI equipment
• Experience in high-reliability, aerospace, or IPC Class 3 electronics manufacturing
• Experience with fine-pitch and BGA components, including X-ray inspection of hidden solder joints

Additional Requirements

• This role requires being on-site 5 days per week
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Repetitive assembly operations, grasping, standing, lifting, bending, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position

Additional Information:

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.