Senior R&D Engineer; NDE

EWI is a world leader in developing and deploying innovative technologies that enable companies to bridge the gap between R&D and manufacturing implementation. EWI Associates are passionate about identifying out-of-the-box solutions that provide a long-term competitive advantage for our clients. Our clients tell us we are a valuable extension and a complement to their innovation, engineering and manufacturing teams. If you enjoy working with customers and solving difficult, technical problems, EWI is the place for you.

EWI is seeking a Senior R&D Engineer to lead the application of advanced nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technology to client manufacturing challenges, with particular emphasis on integrating inspection into automated and in-process production systems. This is a customer-facing technical role. The successful candidate will work directly with client companies to define inspection problems, select and adapt leading-edge NDE methods, and implement those methods within robotic, automated, and in-line manufacturing environments.

The position emphasizes application, integration, and deployment rather than fundamental research. EWI’s value to its clients lies in identifying what is possible at the leading edge of NDE science and making it work reliably on production hardware.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Customer engagement and business development

Serve as the primary technical point of contact for client companies on inspection and NDE projects; lead collaborative internal and external teams to implement solutions

Visit client facilities to assess inspection needs, evaluate production environments, and identify opportunities for automated and in-process inspection

Translate client requirements into project scopes, technical approaches, cost and schedule estimates

Present findings, recommendations, and results to audiences ranging from shop floor operators to executive leadership

Support business development through proposal preparation, technical presentations, client council participation, and industry conference activity

Build long-term client relationships that lead to repeated and expanded work Train client personnel on delivered systems and transfer capability so solutions remain in use after a project closes

Technology implementation and automation

Evaluate and select advanced NDE methods, including phased array and full matrix capture ultrasonics, eddy current array, computed tomography, thermography, guided wave, and optical techniques, and determine which are viable for production deployment

Design and implement in-process and in-line inspection solutions that operate during manufacturing rather than after it, with emphasis on welding, additive manufacturing, and composite processes

Integrate inspection hardware into robotic cells, gantries, motion systems, and production equipment, including sensor selection and placement, fixturing, scan planning, and instrument control

Develop data acquisition, processing, and analysis pipelines, applying signal processing, image processing, and machine learning methods where they add value

Interface inspection systems with plant control and quality data systems, and support feedback to the manufacturing process where feasible

Validate system performance through designed experiments, probability of detection studies, and reliability analysis

Develop procedures, work instructions, and qualification evidence to support customer, prime contractor, and regulatory acceptance

Project execution and technical leadership

Manage project scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables, and produce clear technical reports and documentation

Maintain current awareness of the commercial and academic NDE landscape, including instrument suppliers, research institutions, and standards development activity

Contribute to EWI internal capability, tooling, and laboratory infrastructure

Mentor junior engineers and techniciansREQURIED

QUALIFICATIONS:

Demonstrated experience implementing inspection or measurement systems within automated equipment, robotic cells, or production lines

Working knowledge of at least one NDE modality, with practical familiarity across several

Programming ability sufficient to build data acquisition, processing, and analysis tools, typically in Python or an equivalent language

Experience designing and executing test programs and analyzing results statistically

Proficiency in executing scientific research and performing experimental analysis

Existing understanding of technical challenges in key…