Trainee SMT Machine Operator & PCB Assembler
| Posting date: | 13 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 13 December 2025 |
| Location: | Fowlmere |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Horizon Search & Selection Ltd |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
We are seeking a Trainee SMT Machine Operator/ PCB Assembler for our brilliant client who are within a technical manufacturing industry. The company are based in rural Cambridgeshire and close to Royston and due to the rural nature of the location, candidates must be able to drive to site. This is a great opportunity to join a thriving company within their PCBS team. This is a full-time permanent position and the salary is negotiable depending on experience.
The company
Is a global leader in the development and manufacture of advanced gas detection instrumentation and sensing technologies, for a vast range of industries. With a commitment to innovation, quality and safety, the company empower industries worldwide to enhance workplace environments and safeguard lives.
They have grown steadily and consistently since they over 36 years ago and offer a superb place to work, thrive and be part of something truly exciting. Having won the Queens Award for Enterprise within the innovation category, the company values are at the core of everything they do so with each recruit as they grow, they are seeking like-minded people to help build on the success which they already enjoy.
The role
Within this role, you will assist in the manufacture of a wide range of PCB assemblies within the PCBA team, to ensure goods are produced in a timely manner to meet customer specifications. Within your team, you will be responsible for the daily setting up, operating and maintenance of the checks for the Surface Mount Technology Cell.
The primary responsibility will be to carry out the reliable operation of the SMT process to ensure the SMT Production Program is achieved effectively. This will require the correct loading of PCB’s into the SMT machine, checking codes against the pick list and appropriate programme selection, carrying out visual and automatic optical inspection of finished boards and completing the documentation ready for the next step in the process. Carrying out any manual reworking if required. Within this role you will be one of the primary machine minders, carrying out day to day trouble shooting and set-up as necessary to keep production levels on track.
You will also be required to undertake other assembly processes on various circuit board assemblies.
Other duties will include:
• Carry out conventional and SMT soldering in accordance with relevant IPC standards
• Loading and setting the Euro-placer SMT feeders
• Set-up and run speed printer
• Operating the re-flow oven as required
• Produce all PCB variants via the relevant in-house processes and IPC standards
• Carrying out inspection of boards using the X-ray component counting machine
• PCBA assembly, test and rework production processes as required including some manual soldering
• Maintaining information through MS Applications
The Person
This is a hands-on role within the company we are seeking someone with the following skill and attributes:
• Ideally, previous experience of working in a technical manufacturing environment
• Some familiarity of SMT, Machine, AOI or other related processes or equipment
• Organised, methodical, logical and detail orientated
• IT literate and proficient with MS Office tools
• Numerate with excellent communication skills
• A high degree of manual dexterity and the ability to work precisely with very small components (0201 SMT components)
• A brilliant team player.
Full spec is available
Details
This role is offered on a Full-time, permanent basis. The salary offered is depending on experience and plus benefits
The successful candidate will be prepared to be flexible with working hours to ensure that the SMT process is aligned to the wider business needs. Therefore, the successful candidate will be prepared to accommodate some degree of flexibility around start & finish hours (i.e. starting earlier or later day shift patterns & potentially twilight shift working). Also, possess the flexibility to work additional overtime hours for short periods as necessary to meet customer demands.
The initial hours during the initial induction and training period will be as follows; -
Monday to Thursday 08:30 – 17:00
Friday 08:30 – 15:45
How to Apply
Please apply to Gemma Turp through our website or alternatively, you can email a copy of your CV and covering letter to gemma@horizoneast.co.uk
We aim to respond with specific feedback to every applicant via email within 14 days. However, as we are a small two-person independent agency, if we are extremely busy this may take longer. If you would like feedback sooner, then feel free to contact us via email and we will come back to you ASAP.
About Horizon
Horizon Search and Selection Ltd is owned and run by Gemma and Kate from our private offices in Bury St Edmunds. We’ve been in business for 12 years but have a combined 30(ish!) years’ recruitment experience between us. We’re friendly recruitment folks and love what we do. Here, we are acting as an employment agency on behalf of our client, the employer. We act as the ‘introducers’, so if you are successful, you will be directly employed by our client. We never share your details with anyone (including our client) without your consent. Any questions? Get in touch!
GDPR
Please note that all applications and enquiries are treated in the strictest of confidence. As part of our GDPR compliance, your CV and contact details will not be held by us for longer than 30 days unless written consent to do so is requested and obtained. Your CV and contact details will never be shared by us with a 3rd party unless specific consent has been obtained to do so. For more information on our privacy policies and how we comply to the GDPR then please visit our website and click on our privacy policy at the bottom of the page.
Find us on Facebook & LinkedIn (Horizon Search & Selection Ltd) and Twitter (@Horizon_East), as well as Instagram (@horizonsearchandselection)
The company
Is a global leader in the development and manufacture of advanced gas detection instrumentation and sensing technologies, for a vast range of industries. With a commitment to innovation, quality and safety, the company empower industries worldwide to enhance workplace environments and safeguard lives.
They have grown steadily and consistently since they over 36 years ago and offer a superb place to work, thrive and be part of something truly exciting. Having won the Queens Award for Enterprise within the innovation category, the company values are at the core of everything they do so with each recruit as they grow, they are seeking like-minded people to help build on the success which they already enjoy.
The role
Within this role, you will assist in the manufacture of a wide range of PCB assemblies within the PCBA team, to ensure goods are produced in a timely manner to meet customer specifications. Within your team, you will be responsible for the daily setting up, operating and maintenance of the checks for the Surface Mount Technology Cell.
The primary responsibility will be to carry out the reliable operation of the SMT process to ensure the SMT Production Program is achieved effectively. This will require the correct loading of PCB’s into the SMT machine, checking codes against the pick list and appropriate programme selection, carrying out visual and automatic optical inspection of finished boards and completing the documentation ready for the next step in the process. Carrying out any manual reworking if required. Within this role you will be one of the primary machine minders, carrying out day to day trouble shooting and set-up as necessary to keep production levels on track.
You will also be required to undertake other assembly processes on various circuit board assemblies.
Other duties will include:
• Carry out conventional and SMT soldering in accordance with relevant IPC standards
• Loading and setting the Euro-placer SMT feeders
• Set-up and run speed printer
• Operating the re-flow oven as required
• Produce all PCB variants via the relevant in-house processes and IPC standards
• Carrying out inspection of boards using the X-ray component counting machine
• PCBA assembly, test and rework production processes as required including some manual soldering
• Maintaining information through MS Applications
The Person
This is a hands-on role within the company we are seeking someone with the following skill and attributes:
• Ideally, previous experience of working in a technical manufacturing environment
• Some familiarity of SMT, Machine, AOI or other related processes or equipment
• Organised, methodical, logical and detail orientated
• IT literate and proficient with MS Office tools
• Numerate with excellent communication skills
• A high degree of manual dexterity and the ability to work precisely with very small components (0201 SMT components)
• A brilliant team player.
Full spec is available
Details
This role is offered on a Full-time, permanent basis. The salary offered is depending on experience and plus benefits
The successful candidate will be prepared to be flexible with working hours to ensure that the SMT process is aligned to the wider business needs. Therefore, the successful candidate will be prepared to accommodate some degree of flexibility around start & finish hours (i.e. starting earlier or later day shift patterns & potentially twilight shift working). Also, possess the flexibility to work additional overtime hours for short periods as necessary to meet customer demands.
The initial hours during the initial induction and training period will be as follows; -
Monday to Thursday 08:30 – 17:00
Friday 08:30 – 15:45
How to Apply
Please apply to Gemma Turp through our website or alternatively, you can email a copy of your CV and covering letter to gemma@horizoneast.co.uk
We aim to respond with specific feedback to every applicant via email within 14 days. However, as we are a small two-person independent agency, if we are extremely busy this may take longer. If you would like feedback sooner, then feel free to contact us via email and we will come back to you ASAP.
About Horizon
Horizon Search and Selection Ltd is owned and run by Gemma and Kate from our private offices in Bury St Edmunds. We’ve been in business for 12 years but have a combined 30(ish!) years’ recruitment experience between us. We’re friendly recruitment folks and love what we do. Here, we are acting as an employment agency on behalf of our client, the employer. We act as the ‘introducers’, so if you are successful, you will be directly employed by our client. We never share your details with anyone (including our client) without your consent. Any questions? Get in touch!
GDPR
Please note that all applications and enquiries are treated in the strictest of confidence. As part of our GDPR compliance, your CV and contact details will not be held by us for longer than 30 days unless written consent to do so is requested and obtained. Your CV and contact details will never be shared by us with a 3rd party unless specific consent has been obtained to do so. For more information on our privacy policies and how we comply to the GDPR then please visit our website and click on our privacy policy at the bottom of the page.
Find us on Facebook & LinkedIn (Horizon Search & Selection Ltd) and Twitter (@Horizon_East), as well as Instagram (@horizonsearchandselection)