What does an SMT Operator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

Surface mount technology (SMT) operators monitor and maintain any equipment used in establishing SMT electronic circuits. The task of SMT operators involves SMT machine operation to mount electronic components onto the circuit boards. They mount assembled components like resistors, capacitors, transistors, and integrated circuits on the chassis panel. Also, they collaborate with technicians and engineers on PCB's for critical defect data. They are expected to have skills and knowledge about circuit boards, reflow ovens, and electronic components.

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Smt operator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real smt operator resumes:

  • Lead pace lines in packaging OEM products.
  • Comply with company's standards of ESD, IPC-A-610, work instructions and ISO procedures and policies.
  • Hand assemble and run diagnostic tests on various electronic components.
  • Follow practices to ensure AIB, ISO standards are being meet and excel.
  • Replace damage, missing, misplace and wrong used/mount resistors and capacitors and other different components.
  • Mount components such as transformers, resistors, capacitors, integrate circuits and sockets on panel or print circuit board.
  • stuff boards, coil winding, coil tie down, case wiring, run axel insert machine, insect boards.
  • Programme phones for OEM customers.
  • Adhere to ESD and company safety requirements.
  • Provide SPC training for chip placement equipment.
  • Set up solder stencils to run circuit boards.
  • Experience using calipers and ohm meters to test voltages.
  • Maintain ESD by wearing wrist strips or foot grounders.
  • Operate SMT machine with high yields and troubleshooting machine.
  • Assemble electronic circuit boards to IPC-A-610 standards and customer requirements.

Smt operator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of SMT Operators are proficient in Hand Tools, PCB, and Reflow Oven. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Manual dexterity, and Physical strength.

We break down the percentage of SMT Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Hand Tools, 8%

    Assembled and tested small box build products using automated hand tools and final package of products.

  • PCB, 6%

    Maintained inventory and scheduled maintenance of all required equipment pertaining to PCB production.

  • Reflow Oven, 6%

    Operated many kinds of surface mount machines from screen printers, inspection machines, chip placing machines and reflow ovens.

  • Troubleshoot, 5%

    Provided preventive maintenance, diagnosed and troubleshoot problems to increase company productivity.

  • IPC-A-610, 5%

    Program and operate MPM screen printer Accomplishments IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies -Soldering/HV -Surface Mount -PCB's/Assemblies, Component Damage

  • Circuit Board Assemblies, 4%

    Hand solder and re-work printed circuit board assemblies as workload required.

Most smt operators use their skills in "hand tools," "pcb," and "reflow oven" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential smt operator responsibilities here:

Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for an smt operator to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what smt operators do because "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers perform precision work, often with straight edges." Additionally, an smt operator resume shows how smt operators use detail oriented: "pay attention to detail and working in iso [ ] environment. "

Manual dexterity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling smt operator duties is manual dexterity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must have a steady hand to hold a torch in place." According to an smt operator resume, here's how smt operators can utilize manual dexterity in their job responsibilities: "perform manual component placement and inspection. "

Physical strength. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of smt operators is physical strength. This skill is critical to many everyday smt operator duties, as "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must be able to lift heavy pieces of metal and move welding or cutting equipment." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "preformed physical and computer quality checks to maintain a bottle that were within the specs provided by the customer. "

All smt operator skills

The three companies that hire the most smt operators are:

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Compare different smt operators

Smt operator vs. Ammunition assembly labour

Professional utility workers have skills in customer service, safety procedures, and safety standards. Those in this career work to maintain a perpetually clean work area, comply with safety standards, inspect finished projects, repair and replace any broken equipment. A professional utility worker will also locate parts and tools to help improve workflows.

If we compare the average smt operator annual salary with that of an ammunition assembly labour, we find that ammunition assembly labours typically earn a $4,851 lower salary than smt operators make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between smt operators and ammunition assembly labours are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like hand tools, production equipment, and assembly process.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between smt operators and ammunition assembly labour. For instance, smt operator responsibilities require skills such as "pcb," "reflow oven," "troubleshoot," and "ipc-a-610." Whereas a ammunition assembly labour is skilled in "blueprint specifications," "work ethic," "tape measure," and "safety guidelines." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Ammunition assembly labours earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $35,211. On the other hand, smt operators are paid more in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $35,892.The education levels that ammunition assembly labours earn slightly differ from smt operators. In particular, ammunition assembly labours are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an smt operator. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Smt operator vs. Production utility worker

In a manufacturing setting, a production employee is in charge of assembling and processing products, ensuring efficiency and timelines. Their responsibilities include adhering to guidelines and blueprints, monitoring the products for any defects or inconsistencies, operating machines and equipment, keeping an eye on the assembly line, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. Furthermore, as a production employee, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with co-workers, coordinating every step of the way, and alerting managers should there be any problems.

A career as a production utility worker brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an smt operator. In fact, production utility workers salary is $1,955 lower than the salary of smt operators per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Smt operators and production utility workers both require similar skills like "troubleshoot," "production equipment," and "quality standards" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, smt operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "pcb," "reflow oven," and "ipc-a-610." Meanwhile, a production utility worker has duties that require skills in areas such as "production process," "pallets," "safety rules," and "basic math." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Production utility workers earn a lower average salary than smt operators. But production utility workers earn the highest pay in the media industry, with an average salary of $35,119. Additionally, smt operators earn the highest salaries in the pharmaceutical with average pay of $35,892 annually.In general, production utility workers achieve similar levels of education than smt operators. They're 1.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Smt operator vs. Production employee

Production workers are employees who are usually seen in an assembly line in a company's factory. They are responsible for a specific part of the production of goods for the company. They ensure that production processes are being followed. Production workers are required to be efficient, detail-oriented, and organized. They should be able to uphold the quality standards set by the company and should be able to conduct quality control checks. Should they be working alongside machines, and they must know how to operate the machine as well as maintain it. Production workers should also be familiar with occupational safety and health guidelines and must be able to follow policies and procedures in place.

An average production employee eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of smt operators. The difference in salaries amounts to production employees earning a $775 lower average salary than smt operators.By looking over several smt operators and production employees resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "hand tools," "production equipment," and "quality standards." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, smt operators are more likely to have skills like "pcb," "reflow oven," "troubleshoot," and "ipc-a-610." But a production employee is more likely to have skills like "production floor," "safety standards," "work ethic," and "production process."

Production employees earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $35,336. Comparatively, smt operators have the highest earning potential in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $35,892.When it comes to education, production employees tend to earn similar degree levels compared to smt operators. In fact, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Smt operator vs. Production worker

Production workers typically earn lower pay than smt operators. On average, production workers earn a $2,800 lower salary per year.According to resumes from smt operators and production workers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "production equipment," "quality standards," and "iso. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between smt operators and production workers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an smt operator might have more use for skills like "hand tools," "pcb," "reflow oven," and "troubleshoot." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of production workers require skills like "production process," "safety procedures," "basic math," and "pallet jack. "

Production workers enjoy the best pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $35,206. For comparison, smt operators earn the highest salary in the pharmaceutical industry.The average resume of production workers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to smt operators. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of smt operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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