When it comes to precision and problem-solving, the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Department at MJS Designs sets the standard. Combining technical expertise, attention to detail, collaboration, and innovation, this dedicated team of nine highly skilled professionals plays a critical role in the company’s electronics manufacturing services. With more than 70 years of combined experience, the SMT team is responsible for assembling electronic components onto printed circuit boards (PCBs) using advanced equipment and highly precise manufacturing processes. From small-batch prototypes to mid-volume manufacturing runs, they are committed to delivering reliable, high-quality products with efficiency, accuracy, and consistency across the board.
“Anything you have that uses power has a circuit board” shares Dominique, Senior Manufacturing Technician.. “Your remote control, your cell phone. If you have ever opened your remote and have seen the green board inside, that’s what we do.”
Teamwork and collaboration are at the core of the SMT department’s success, with each team member bringing a unique skill set and valuable experience to meet the complex demands of circuit board assembly. Leading the team is Senior Manufacturing Technician, Dominique Taylor. As a 20-year veteran of MJS Designs, Dominique has a deep understanding of the precision, technical expertise, and attention to detail required to consistently produce high-quality circuit boards. SMT Technician Hubert Jones and SMT Lead Stuart Robbins follow, bringing a combined 30 years of experience to the team, as both celebrate their 15-year anniversaries with MJS Designs this year.
“Our primary responsibility is to run the SMT machines. We place all of the components that go on the surface of the board,” shares Dominique. “Our Level 1 technicians handle the foundational responsibilities, including operating the machines and loading feeders. Our Level 3 technicians are the experts, who not only operate the machines, but are also responsible for programming, performing maintenance, and troubleshooting.”
This expertise is evident every day. Although the SMT team follows consistent operational procedures, each project presents its own unique requirements. Each morning, the first-shift team is responsible for warming up and preparing the machines for the day, with the process depending on where manufacturing left off the previous day. From there, the team checks parts, loads feeders, programs equipment, and operates the machines throughout manufacturing. Each SMT line may be operating based on the point in the process: the stencil printer, where solder paste is applied to the board; the pick-and-place machine, which picks up and places components onto the board; and the reflow oven, where the boards are heated to melt the solder and permanently attach the components to the PCB.
“Attention to detail is the most important skill to have as a Surface Mount Technician,” expresses Hubert. “If there is one digit off on a part number, the whole part could be wrong. Which if that wrong part is placed on the machine, you could have hours and hours of rework,” adds Dominique.
During the build, the team makes real-time adjustments to the machines, fine-tuning settings and troubleshooting issues such as components not being picked up or placed correctly. The SMT department is also responsible for addressing any issues identified during quality control to ensure each board meets MJS Designs’ high standards. Once the first shift wraps up, the second-shift technicians take over to keep manufacturing moving efficiently.
“Sometimes we have a lot of new, different components in technology and I enjoy the challenges that come along with that,” expresses Stuart. “You take the basic elements, the paste, the parts, the bareboard and have these machines that place all of the components. But at the end of the day, it’s the skill and the person behind it that has to essentially take all of these moving parts and put them together to create a circuit board. It has always felt a little artistic to me.”
Circuit board manufacturing is not just technical; it involves a sense of creativity as well. While technology has advanced tremendously over the years, it has always been the skilled professionals behind the machines who ensure every board functions properly. With countless components, precise specifications, and constantly evolving requirements, the SMT team must think critically, adapt quickly, and problem-solve in real time to keep manufacturing running smoothly and efficiently.
“We subdivide the different tasks to bring everything together and get everything set-up as quickly as we can,” says Stuart. “We also use pass-downs between shifts so the next person can have a running start.”
A major part of maintaining that level of quality and consistency comes down to teamwork. To help ensure accuracy throughout the manufacturing process, the SMT department utilizes a buddy system in which team members routinely check one another’s work to catch issues early and maintain the highest manufacturing standards. Communication is equally essential, as sharing knowledge and past experiences often leads to quicker problem-solving during manufacturing. Beyond troubleshooting, the SMT team frequently divides and conquers when working on the same project. One team member may be setting up the stencil printer while another prepares the pick-and-place machine. At the same time, others may be checking components, loading feeders, or preparing materials to keep the manufacturing process moving efficiently.
While teamwork keeps manufacturing moving efficiently, precision and inspection remain equally important responsibilities for the SMT department as they serve as the first step in the manufacturing process. Utilizing components from the stockroom, customer-supplied components, bare boards, and materials collected from other departments, the team initiates the assembly process before passing products along to quality control and testing. Because of this responsibility, the SMT team takes tremendous pride in the high-quality boards they produce. Throughout manufacturing, the team is constantly asking questions, double-checking their work, verifying their paste and profile, and inspecting assemblies every step of the way.
“Dominique has developed a dedicated team throughout her career. The longevity of the SMT team attests to her leadership. I am grateful for the team’s focus on our customer requirements and deadlines, as the component technologies and materials continue to change and become more complex” says Dawn Northrop, President of MJS Designs.
Using the latest machines and technologies allows for faster, more consistent, and more accurate results, a major advantage in the manufacturing process that has also provided the team with rewarding opportunities, including working on highly complex projects and producing boards used on the Mars Rover. What makes this possible is the team’s strong reliance on one another’s strengths and shared commitment to supporting each other’s growth. When asked to describe the SMT team in three words, they responded: “creative, critical, and precise” – a fitting reflection of the discipline, craftsmanship, and collaboration that define their work every day.
For over 50 years, MJS Designs has been a trusted leader in PCB engineering, CAD Layout, assembly and test driven by a commitment to delivering exceptional quality and precision. We partner with industry leaders in the semiconductor, agriculture, medical, commercial, aerospace, and military sectors, providing reliable PCB assembly solutions that bring their projects to life. Learn more about our capabilities and how MJS Designs can support your next project by visiting our homepage here.
