Lead PCB Assembly Technician in Thatcham

Malloy Aeronautics Limited specializes in the development of heavy lift unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) for both civilian and military uses. Located in Berkshire, our operations are notable for their focus on in‑house design and manufacturing. This vertical integration means we control the production of most aircraft components on‑site, enhancing our ability to innovate and maintain high standards across all stages of development.

We are seeking an experienced and detail‑oriented Lead PCB Assembly Technician to oversee day‑to‑day PCB assembly operations and ensure products meet the highest quality standards. In this hands‑on leadership role, you will guide a small team of technicians, manage workflow, support process improvements, and collaborate closely with engineering and production planning to deliver reliable production‑ready assemblies.

What you’ll be doing (but not limited to):

• Lead and mentor a team of PCB assembly technicians, providing support and daily task management.
• Perform and oversee SMT and through‑hole assembly, reflow soldering, selective soldering, and hand soldering.
• Operate and maintain PCB assembly equipment (pick‑and‑place machines, reflow ovens, PCB inspection, and conformal coating systems).
• Ensure production builds follow IPC standards (IPC‑A‑610, J‑STD‑001) and internal quality processes.
• Conduct inspections, troubleshooting, and rework of assembled PCBs.
• Work with engineering to review assembly documentation, BOMs, and design‑for‑manufacture improvements.
• Monitor workflow to meet production schedules and maintain accurate build records.
• Implement process improvements to increase efficiency, yield, and reliability.
• Enforce ESD‑safe working practices and maintain a clean, organized production environment.

Essential Skills and Experiences:

• 5+ years of experience in PCB assembly or electronics manufacturing.
• Strong proficiency in SMT, through‑hole assembly, soldering, and rework techniques.
• Familiarity with IPC standards (IPC‑A‑610 certification preferred).
• Experience operating and troubleshooting assembly equipment and tools.
• Experience working with production planning to ensure schedules are being adhered to.
• Ability to read schematics, BOMs, assembly drawings, and work instructions.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proven experience (typically 3‑5 years) in PCB manufacturing or assembly.

Desired Skills and Experiences:

• Experience with surface mount technology (SMT) and through‑hole PCB assembly.
• Knowledge of Pick and Place machines, reflow ovens, and conformal coating processes.
• Knowledge of automated inspection and testing equipment.
• Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma certification is a plus.

Benefits you may be eligible for:

• Working Environment: 9‑day fortnight, free parking, free lunch on working Fridays, fruit twice a week, tea and coffee.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Discretionary Employee Incentive Bonus Scheme.
• Employee Share Incentive Plan (BAE Systems).
• Company Sick Pay.
• Maternity and Paternity Enhanced Leave.
• Healthcare Cash Plan including Virtual GP, Dental Cover, Vision Cover, Discounted Gym Membership, and much more! Free coverage for children under 2 years old.
• 20 days Annual Leave, increasing with long service.
• Employee Assistance Programme (24hr Helpline).
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Casual Dress.
• Bronze Level Armed Forces Covenant signals our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces.

Why Malloy Aeronautics?

Our company benefits from a streamlined process where engineering teams are involved in the entire lifecycle of our UAVs – from initial design through to production. This setup not only speeds up the development process but also improves the efficiency and effectiveness of our product launches. We value professionals who have a background in both research and development (R&D) and design for manufacture, as their expertise is crucial to our rapid and precise product development cycle.

Malloy Aeronautics employees will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit the roles you can perform for the organisation. Malloy Aeronautics is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessments or interviewing, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Note: If you have not heard from our recruitment department within 14 days, unfortunately you have not been successful. Malloy Aeronautics and BAE Systems may process information about you that may be subject to data protection laws. For more information about how we use and protect your personal information and your rights, please refer to our Privacy Notice.