Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 8212
Surface-mount technology machine operator
Surface-mount technology machine operators use surface-mount technology (SMT) machines to mount and solder small electronic components onto printed circuit boards to create surface-mounted devices (SMD).
Check yourself in a minute: surface-mount technology machine operator
Rate 5 of the 18 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
interpret circuit diagrams
monitor machine operations
solder components onto electronic board
inspect quality of products
read assembly drawings
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (18)
printed circuit boardsprinted circuit boardsPrinted circuit boards (PCB) are essential components to almost all electronic devices. They consist of thin wafers or substrates on which electronic components, such as microchips, are placed. The el...surface-mount technologysurface-mount technologySurface-mount technology or SMT is a method where the electronic components are placed on the surface of the printed circuit board. SMT components attached in this way are usually sensitive, small com...quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.interpret circuit diagramsinterpret circuit diagramsRead and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.monitor machine operationsmonitor machine operationsObserving machine operations and evaluating product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.solder components onto electronic boardsolder components onto electronic boardSolder electronic components onto bare electronic boards to create loaded electronic boards using hand soldering tools or soldering machinery.inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.read assembly drawingsread assembly drawingsRead and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a p...ensure public safety and securityensure public safety and securityImplement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.assemble printed circuit boardsassemble printed circuit boardsAttach electronic components to the printed circuit board through applying soldering techniques. Electronic components are placed in holes in through-hole assembly (THT), or are placed on the surface ...read standard blueprintsread standard blueprintsRead and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.coat printed circuit boardcoat printed circuit boardAdd a protective layer of coating to the finished printed circuit board.report defective manufacturing materialsreport defective manufacturing materialsMaintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.prepare board for solderingprepare board for solderingPrepare the loaded printed circuit boards for solder operations. Clean the board and mark designated areas.clean printed circuit boardclean printed circuit boardClean the printed circuit boards and components as necessary before, during, and after the assembly process.operate SMT placement equipmentoperate SMT placement equipmentOperate surface-mount technology (SMT) machines and equipment to place and solder surface-mount devices (SMD) onto the printed circuit board with high precision.ensure conformity to specificationsensure conformity to specificationsEnsure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.
Optional (18) — show
microelectronicsmicroelectronicsMicroelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips.IPC standardsIPC standardsStandards and guidelines with regards to the use and manufacture of electronics and printed circuit boards. These regulations provide rules and guidelines on topics such as general safety rules, elect...resolve equipment malfunctionsresolve equipment malfunctionsIdentify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.oversee logistics of finished productsoversee logistics of finished productsEnsure that the processes of packing, storage and shipment of finished products meet the requirements.dispose of hazardous wastedispose of hazardous wasteDispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.use diagnostic tools for electronic repairsuse diagnostic tools for electronic repairsUse diagnostic equipment to measure current, resistance and voltage. Handle sophisticated multimeters to measure inductance, capacitance and current transistor gain.check for solder defectscheck for solder defectsCheck the printed circuit board for solder defects and make adjustments as required.use CAM softwareuse CAM softwareUse computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.operate wave soldering machineoperate wave soldering machineOperate the wave soldering machine to solder electronic components onto the printed circuit board. Here, the board is moved over a wave of liquid solder and the connections inserted through the board ...operate automated optical inspection machineoperate automated optical inspection machineInspect the quality of assembled printed circuit boards (PCB) or surface-mount devices (SMD) through operating the automated optical inspection machine. During each test, dozens of images are captured...replace defect componentsreplace defect componentsRemove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.maintain electronic systemsmaintain electronic systemsCalibrate and maintain electronic systems. Execute preventive equipment maintenance tasks.provide power connection from bus barsprovide power connection from bus barsProvide power connection from copper or metal busbars.carry out shipping orders for partscarry out shipping orders for partsTransfer tools, materials and equipment to warehouse locations for shipping.apply technical communication skillsapply technical communication skillsExplain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.apply health and safety standardsapply health and safety standardsAdhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.repair electronic componentsrepair electronic componentsRepair, replace or adjust damaged electronics components or circuitry. Use hand tools and soldering and welding equipment.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
wave soldering machine operator12 shared essential skillsprinted circuit board assembler10 shared essential skillsautomated optical inspection operator9 shared essential skillsprinted circuit board test technician8 shared essential skillselectronic equipment assembler7 shared essential skillselectronics production supervisor7 shared essential skillsbattery assembler6 shared essential skillscalibration technician6 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a surface-mount technology machine operator do?
Surface-mount technology machine operators use surface-mount technology (SMT) machines to mount and solder small electronic components onto printed circuit boards to create surface-mounted devices (SMD).
What skills does a surface-mount technology machine operator need?
A surface-mount technology machine operator needs 18 essential skills, including printed circuit boards, surface-mount technology, quality standards, electronics, interpret circuit diagrams.
Will AI replace surface-mount technology machine operator jobs?
The AI disruption score for surface-mount technology machine operator is 66/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: assemble printed circuit boards, operate automated optical inspection machine, quality standards. Most resilient: provide power connection from bus bars, dispose of hazardous waste, replace defect components.
AI Replacement Risk
66/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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