SMT Inspector

About AIS

AIS, a division of 1HMX, is a global leader in Human Machine eXperience (HMX) solutions. Headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 1HMX operates eight manufacturing facilities across the United States, United Kingdom, India, Taiwan, and China, serving the aerospace, medical, industrial, robotics, energy, and gaming industries.

Job Overview

The SMT Inspector ensures the quality and workmanship of surface mount technology (SMT) printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA) used in AIS human-machine interface (HMI) products. The inspector checks boards at key points in the SMT process to verify conformance with internal standards, IPC workmanship guidelines, inspection criteria, internal MAPS, and customer specifications.

Primary Responsibilities

• Inspection Stages - Perform visual and instrument-assisted inspection of SMT PCB assemblies at first article, in-process, post-reflow, and final stages.
• Inspection Tools - Use microscopes, magnifiers, AOI machines, and gauges to assess component placement, solder quality, polarity, and board cleanliness.
• Document Verification - Compare assembled boards against work instructions, BOMs, and engineering drawings.
• Defect Reporting - Identify, document, and communicate defects, non-conformances, and quality issues to the lead/supervisor and Quality.
• Disposition - Route units for rework or repair based on inspection results.
• Corrective Action - Help diagnose root causes and suggest improvements using Lean tools.
• Records - Maintain accurate inspection records, logs, and test results per the quality system.
• Equipment Care - Keep work areas and inspection equipment clean and working; verify equipment is within its calibration date before use.
• Continuous Improvement - Support Lean quality initiatives related to SMT assembly quality.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical/vocational training in electronics or quality inspection preferred.
• Experience visually inspecting electronic assemblies under magnification or microscope.
• Ability to read and interpret diagrams, BOMs, engineering drawings, MAPS, and quality standards.
• Ability to identify electronic components and their markings, values, and polarity.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality workmanship.
• Familiarity with IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies) and related standards is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication skills and computer proficiency for entering inspection results and accessing work instructions.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• 1+ years of inspection experience in an SMT or electronics manufacturing environment.
• Experience with AOI, X-ray, or solder paste inspection (SPI) equipment, including reviewing and dispositioning machine-flagged defects.
• Prior experience in soldering or rework.
• IPC-A-610 certification (CIS) and hands-on inspection training.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO 13485, AS9100, or similar quality systems.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and sit for extended periods, up to a full 10-hour shift, including sustained microscope work.
• Visual acuity, including color discrimination, to identify small components, markings, and solder defects, with or without magnification
• Manual dexterity for handling small parts and tools
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs

Work Environment

• Noise & heat: Machine noise and heat from reflow ovens.
• Chemicals: Solder paste, fluxes, solvents, and cleaning agents; odors may be present. Follow the SDS and Hazard Communication training.
• ESD: ESD-protected area; grounding and handling controls apply at all times.
• Schedule: Shift work and occasional overtime may be required to meet production demands.