MJS Designs provides test solutions across a wide range of applications, helping solve some of the industry’s toughest product challenges. At the center of that work is Test Engineer Tim Jefferies. With more than two decades at MJS Designs, Tim brings deep technical expertise to every project. His patience, steady leadership and commitment to quality make him an invaluable resource.
“I love the variety – it’s always changing,” expresses Tim. “”We build in small to mid-volume quantities and I am proud of our high-quality products. I want to make sure that the high quality stays.”
Tim has always had a strong interest in mechanics. As a young adult, he served in the military as a jet engine mechanic for eleven years, experience that strengthened his technical foundation and problem-solving skills. After leaving the military, Tim enrolled in college to study engineering and has been building his career in the field ever since. He joined the MJS Designs team 23 years ago, starting as a test technician. After three years in that role, he was promoted to test engineer, a position he has held ever since. Throughout his tenure, Tim has been instrumental in advancing our testing capabilities, including encouraging MJS Designs to invest in our first flying probe machine, a move that helped elevate our testing standards and efficiency.
“When I came to MJS Designs, we did not have a flying probe. I did the research to buy the flying probe and then learned how to use it. It’s been almost 20 years since we got our first flying probe and I’ve been involved since then,” shares Tim.
As Test Engineer, Tim’s work spans a wide range of responsibilities including mechanical builds, programming the flying probe machine, and cables, including quoting, building, and testing. Cables are a vital component across many of the industries MJS Designs serves, making his involvement especially valuable. Tim’s value is also reflected in his expertise as a flying probe machine specialist, having learned the system inside and out when it was first introduced at MJS Designs. This deep knowledge allows him to design precise test programs to test boards, often in close collaboration with the testing team. He has also shared this expertise by training and supporting others as they learned to operate the machine, ultimately passing day-to-day flying probe operations to his three test technicians as he shifts his focus to other critical areas. In addition to working closely with the testing team, Tim regularly collaborates with the mechanical assembly and engineering departments. Beyond supporting the internal team, Tim’s commitment extends to clients, as seen in the times he has traveled to customer sites to assist with mechanical builds and onsite testing.
“Because we’re building such small quantities for the first time, I often get involved. Especially with cables and mechanical assemblies, I help and suggest alternative solutions,” says Tim. “Sometimes I can just look at the quote and make suggestions for improvements immediately: other times, we have to get it in-hand and work it out.”
Tim finds fulfillment in the daily technical challenges of his work and takes great pride in the high-quality products that result from it. The constant introduction of new, first-time builds presents a puzzle to be solved, an aspect of the role he finds both engaging and rewarding. He also takes satisfaction in identifying the best possible solutions for customers, often recognizing effective approaches early in the process, a skill he has developed and refined throughout his tenure. Tim enjoys being the person that his team, colleagues and customers turn to for advice, guidance and suggestions, especially when it pertains to mechanical assemblies. He feels supported by the collaborative environment, which is one of his favorite aspects of working at MJS Designs.
“I first met Tim when his boss, who was a customer at the time, called Jerry, our founder and CEO, and told him their company was having a layoff and said, “You need to hire this guy right away.” And 24 years later, we can still say that he was absolutely right, and are so thankful his boss chose us to call (and put in a good word about us to Tim) rather than another company,” shares Dawn Northrop, President of MJS Designs. “We interviewed Tim and immediately asked him to join the team, and we are fortunate that he accepted. He never ceases to amaze me with his problem-solving skills and willingness to tackle technical challenges in all facets of manufacturing. Tim has been instrumental in so much of the expansions and equipment purchases and installations over the years and he will continue to play a key role in these areas moving forward. I am truly grateful that Tim is on our team and chose to make MJS Designs his career path.”
When Tim isn’t testing, building or quoting, working on cables or assisting on the flying probe machine, he’s likely mountain biking. He’s been an avid mountain biker for forty years, even racing competitively in the 1980s and 1990s. It’s an activity that he continues to enjoy immensely.
For over 45 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.
