Some of the different PCB assembly jobs available in the manufacturing industry include technicians, shipment specialists, and inspectors. Some employees may construct physical printed circuit boards (PCBs) by hand, while others may operate and adjust a robotic machine to create more complex board configurations. Although most PCB assembly jobs require some level of electronics training, such as from a trade school, employers will still need to train workers on how to configure the specific modules used in their industry.
Working as a technician is one of the most common PCB assembly jobs. These workers will place electronic components on a new circuit board and solder them together to keep the PCB together permanently. From a stovetop oven to a cell phone, the vast majority of consumer devices contain some form of PCB; technicians will interpret circuit schematics and construct a PCB that will provide the functions that a consumer will use.
A completed board must be packaged properly for distribution to other factories around the world; shipment specialists will wrap these boards in static-resistant packaging to protect the components from both physical and electrical damage. These PCB assembly jobs are critical because damaged boards are frequently discarded or recycled, which can be costly for the manufacturer. Before any shipment processes can begin, inspectors must visually inspect and test the PCB. The inspector places each piece in a test fixture after the technician completes the board’s construction; he or she will power the circuitry and test all of the functions. Because the volume of large, mass-production companies makes it impossible to test each board individually, many companies will test several boards from each batch to ensure quality parameters are operating within specification.
Prior to the computer and automation era, PCB assembly jobs required employees to physically place components onto a circuit board and use a soldering iron to individually adhere each piece. Although some manufacturers still solder boards by hand, the majority of production lines now use automated machines that are controlled by employees. To ensure a properly built PCB, the worker must adjust the machine’s position and timing on a regular basis. In fact, some employees may require troubleshooting skills in order to examine a malfunctioning machine; a machine failure can be costly to the company.
Each company builds PCBs in a slightly different way. Even if a worker has a long history of education, a new employee must be taught how to build a proprietary circuit type. Once the employee is familiar with the specific board manufacturing process, he or she can work independently.