SMT Operator
About the Role
As an SMT Operator at Rocket EMS, you will be responsible for operating and supporting surface mount technology (SMT) production processes to ensure high-quality, reliable PCB assemblies. You’ll work hands-on with automated equipment and collaborate closely with Quality, Engineering, and Production teams to maintain process accuracy, throughput, and compliance with customer and industry standards.
What You’ll Do
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Set up, operate, and monitor SMT equipment, including solder paste printers, pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, and supporting automation.
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Load and unload printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) while following ESD, MSD, and handling requirements.
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Verify correct component placement, orientation, and solder quality during production runs.
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Identify and report defects such as missing components, misalignment, solder defects, or process deviations.
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Follow travelers, MPIs, work instructions, and production schedules to ensure builds meet customer specifications.
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Perform first-piece checks and in-process inspections as required.
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Assist with basic machine maintenance, nozzle changes, feeder setup, and cleanliness.
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Communicate issues, pass-downs, and improvement opportunities to leads, supervisors, and engineers.
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Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying recurring defects or process trends.
What We’re Looking For
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Previous experience in SMT or electronics manufacturing preferred.
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Familiarity with SMT equipment (pick-and-place, reflow, printers, AOI/AXI) is a plus.
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Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
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Ability to follow detailed work instructions and IPC standards (IPC-A-610 preferred).
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Comfortable working in a fast-paced, team-oriented manufacturing environment.
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Willingness to learn new processes and adapt to changing production needs.
Why Join Us
You’ll be part of a high-reliability electronics manufacturing team supporting aerospace, defense, and advanced technology programs. Your work directly impacts product quality, performance, and mission success—down to every component placed on the board.
Rocket EMS will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act. Candidates are not required to disclose criminal history or participate in a background check unless and until a conditional offer of employment has been made. Any final offer of employment may be conditioned on completion of a background check, consistent with applicable law.
Other open roles at Rocket EMS(6)
Rocket EMS would rather invest its effort in figuring out how to solve a problem instead of telling you all the little things that will delay a project or get in the way. Too many EMS manufacturers would rather tell you what they can’t do instead of just delivering on time, on budget, and beyond expectations. Rocket EMS Inc., founded in Jan 2011, is a Santa Clara, Calif.-based Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) company serving fast-growth, high-technology companies. We are uniquely positioned to meet the very high demands of New Product Introduction (NPI) manufacturing and test. Rocket is a one-stop partner, specializing in ultra-quick-turn (24 – 48 hour) manufacturing of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), design and complementary services. Our core team has a proven track record of investing in and utilizing advanced technology, equipment and software to manufacture customer products extremely quickly with the highest quality. Our strategy is to build a team of the industry’s very best people, to invest in the most advanced technologies and to serve as a model for EMS industry best practices. With this as our foundation, we’re committed to executing far above our competitors. It isn't easy, but if you put the right people together, all with exceptional experience, a shared drive, and a pursuit of excellence, you’ll have something truly remarkable. Throw in a facility with top of the line equipment and you have the core of what is Rocket EMS. Rocket EMS: Taking contract manufacturing to the next level. Contact Information: Telephone:408-727-3700 E-mail: [email protected]
Key team members
Kelly Fine
Gregg Johnson
Ben R.
Benson Yeung
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