NDT Manager

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we're inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We're proud to play a part in protecting the world's democracies. And we're committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world's aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

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.

Job Responsibilities

• 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.

Job Qualifications

• 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)is preferred..
• Leadership Skills: Excellent communication skills, the ability to manage high-pressure deadlines, and a "quality-first" mindset.

We'll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

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. It's a culture that won us 'The Best Workplace Culture Award'. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We're also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.