When Will O'Neil joined RBB earlier this year as a Test Technician, he stepped into a world that was both familiar and completely new. With a background in electronics repair, robotics, computers, cash registers, and fire alarm systems, he had spent years working around technology. But electronics manufacturing was an entirely different experience.
"When I first started at RBB, it was a challenge to grasp the concept of our manufacturing process because it wasn't something I had been exposed to before," Will explains. "I'm used to working with a small selection of products that are built the same way every time. Joining a place that produces different items on a daily basis really opened my eyes to the complexity of what we do."
That variety quickly became one of his favorite parts of the job.
"The best part of my job is that no two days are the same," says Will. "Things stay fresh, and more importantly, I get to learn new things regularly."
Every day at RBB presents a new challenge. Whether he's troubleshooting assemblies, learning a new process, using different test equipment, or supporting a completely different product, Will enjoys the opportunity to continuously expand his knowledge.
"It's fun seeing the similarities and differences between new jobs each day. There's always something new to figure out."
While his first impression of RBB was shaped by the complexity and variety of its work, his first impression of the electronics manufacturing industry was even broader.
"The industry is much larger than I had thought," he says. "PCB manufacturing was something I knew existed, but it was always in the background of my day-to-day life. I hadn't thought much about it. Now I realize that just about everything we interact with every day has a PCB inside it. It's awesome to finally see the other side of the curtain."
As Will learned more about the industry, he also developed a deep appreciation for the importance of standards, quality systems, and documentation.
"RBB is all about certifications and requirements. Between AS9100, ISO 9001, military standards, IPC requirements, traceability, and customer-specific specifications, every detail matters. I've learned that paying attention to detail isn't optional—it's essential."
That emphasis on quality aligns well with Will's long-term goals. He hopes to continue developing his technical expertise while also helping improve processes and documentation throughout the organization.
"I enjoy figuring out how things work, but I also want to make sure everything has the proper documentation and processes behind it."
Outside of work, Will continues to pursue opportunities to learn more about process improvement, automation, and operational excellence. Those interests have also shaped how he views the future of both RBB and the electronics manufacturing industry.
"For the future of RBB, it would be awesome to grow into an Industry 4.0 model," he says. "Since our workflow is anything but typical, it will be a challenge to adopt a new industry style, but we're not afraid of challenges."
Will believes artificial intelligence will play a major role in helping manufacturers achieve that vision.
"The industry is heading into the AI integration era fast—and it may be safe to say it's already there. From PCB design to optical inspection, AI is being integrated into the process more and more every day."
Rather than replacing skilled employees, he sees AI as a tool that can help organizations work smarter.
"AI is great for repetitive tasks and processes that require attention to detail. Using AI in these roles can help reduce labor time and allow technicians to focus on higher-value work. There are opportunities for AI in inspection, meetings, quoting, documentation, scheduling, and many other areas."
He is excited about the direction RBB is already taking and looks forward to contributing to future improvements.
"RBB is already implementing new systems and technologies, and there are more exciting developments ahead. I'm looking forward to being part of that journey."
Reflecting on his first few months in the EMS industry, Will has gained a new appreciation for the impact electronics manufacturing has on the modern world.
"Electronics are everything. They make up nearly everything we use every day. Without electronics manufacturing, we wouldn't have many of the modern advancements we rely on today—or the innovations that are still to come."
As he's learned during his time at RBB, electronics manufacturing isn't just building products—it's helping build the future.
"Electronics manufacturing plays a crucial role in the advancement of technology and the continued progress of humankind."
