NDT Team Lead

Job Summary

As the NDT Supervisor, you will lead the Non-Destructive Testing department, ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality for critical aerospace composite components. You will oversee a team of technicians, manage department workflows, and serve as the primary technical authority for Nadcap and NAS 410 compliance. This role combines high-level technical expertise in Ultrasonic Testing (UT) and Radiography (RT) with the leadership skills necessary to maintain a world‑class inspection program.

• Department Leadership:
  Supervise, schedule, and mentor a team of NDT technicians to ensure production targets are met while maintaining 100% compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Compliance Authority:
  Act as the Point of Contact for all Nadcap audits and FAA/EASA regulatory reviews. Maintain the NDT Quality Manual and ensure the facility meets all NAS 410 requirements for personnel certification and training.
• Quality & Training:
  Manage the internal certification program, including the facilitation of general, specific, and practical exams for NDT personnel. Track technician hours and ensure vision eye exams and annual performance reviews are current.
• Process Improvement:
  Identify and implement advanced NDT technologies (e.g., Phased Array UT or Digital Radiography) to improve throughput and defect detection sensitivity in composite laminates.
• Collaboration:
  
  Work closely with the Engineering and Quality Assurance departments to resolve non‑conformance reports (NCRs) and assist in root cause analysis for manufacturing defects.

• Certification: NAS 410 Level 2 or 3 certification in Ultrasonic Testing (UT) and/or Radiographic Testing (RT) is preferred. If Level 2, the candidate must be on a clear path to Level 3.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 5–7 years of NDT experience in the aerospace industry, preferred experience working with composite materials.
  • At least 2 years in a supervisory or lead technician role.
• Regulatory Knowledge:
  Deep, hands‑on experience with Nadcap audit criteria (AC7114 series) and the NAS 410 standard for qualification and certification of personnel.
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  • Strong understanding of aerospace composite manufacturing processes (e.g., layup, cure cycles, and bonding).
• Leadership
  
  Skills:
  
  Excellent communication skills, the ability to manage high‑pressure deadlines, and a quality‑first mindset.

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute.