NDE Level I, II, & III

Job summary:

The NDE Level I, II, & III (UT / MT / PT / VT / ET) serves as the technical authority for Hi Tech Solutions nondestructive examination activities in assigned methods. This role establishes NDE techniques and procedures, interprets codes and specifications, and trains, examines, and certifies NDE personnel in accordance with the HTS written practices developed to SNT-TC-1A and CP-189 as amended by ASME Section XI.

The position supports HTS nuclear programs under ASME Section III, Section V, and Section XI and the Hi Tech Solutions Quality Assurance Program (10 CFR 50 Appendix B / NQA-1). The Level III may be designated Responsible Level III or Administrative Level III and is accountable for the technical adequacy of the NDE program in the methods for which certified.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the HTS Level III for assigned methods (UT, MT, PT, VT, ET), and as Responsible Level III or Administrative Level III when designated, providing technical direction for all NDE activities performed in those methods.
• Develop, review, and approve NDE procedures and techniques in accordance with ASME Section V, ASME Section XI, applicable ASTM standards, and client specifications.
• Interpret codes, standards, specifications, and procedures; designate the methods, techniques, and procedures to be used for specific examinations.
• Assist in establishing acceptance criteria where none are otherwise available.
• Review and approve the HTS written practices, NDE procedures, and associated examination and certification forms when designated Administrative Level III.
• Develop and maintain training outlines, course materials, and lesson plans that meet the minimum training hours in the written practice appendices.
• Conduct or oversee Level I and Level II training, including Level II Limited certifications and supplemental VT-1/VT-2/VT-3, IVVI, MRP-227/228, IWE, and IWL endorsements.
• Prepare, administer, and grade general, specific, and practical examinations; maintain controlled examination question banks and practical examination specimens.
• Verify training, experience, and vision examination records prior to certification; evaluate outside training and experience (including technical school lab hours) for credit in accordance with the written practices.
• Certify Level I and Level II personnel in accordance with the written practices; administer recertification, interrupted service, and revocation actions.
• Maintain personnel certification records in the HTS certification tracking system (CerTrack).
• Evaluate and interpret examination results against applicable codes, standards, and specifications; resolve and disposition indications.
• Review and approve examination reports and data packages for technical accuracy and completeness.
• Perform field surveillance and on-the-job performance evaluations of NDE personnel during outages and project work.
• Establish NDE equipment, M&TE, and reference standard requirements; verify calibration and recall status of program equipment.
• Support customer audits, ANII reviews, and NQA-1 surveillances of the HTS NDE program; provide objective evidence and support corrective actions.
• Interface with client Level IIIs, engineering, and project management on technical issues and procedure acceptance.
• Mentor Level II personnel toward advanced certifications and Level III qualification.
• Maintain strict compliance with nuclear safety culture expectations, human performance tools, radiological protection, and industrial safety requirements.
• Travel and work flexible schedules, including outage support, as required by project demands.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support operational excellence.

Work Schedule & Physical Requirements:

• Must meet vision requirements equivalent to Jaeger I at 12 inches and pass Ishihara color differentiation testing.
• Ability to work at heights utilizing fall protection equipment.
• Capable of performing inspections in confined spaces and industrial environments while wearing required PPE or respiratory protection.
• Ability to lift or move materials up to 50 pounds.
• Work conditions may include hot, cold, noisy, or contaminated industrial environments consistent with nuclear facility operations.
• Ability to travel and support outage schedules or extended work hours as needed.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of ASNT SNT-TC-1A, ANSI/ASNT CP-189, ASME Section III, Section V, and Section XI (including IWA-2300).
• Working knowledge of 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, ASME NQA-1, and nuclear Quality Assurance program requirements.
• General familiarity with other common NDE methods sufficient to support method and technique selection.
• Demonstrated ability to write, qualify, and approve NDE procedures and techniques.
• Ability to develop, administer, and grade written and practical certification examinations.
• Ability to evaluate indications and disposition results against code acceptance criteria.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, weld symbols, material specifications, and inspection plans.
• Strong technical writing skills for procedures, training materials, examination reports, and QA records.
• Professional communication with clients, auditors, and field personnel at all levels.
• Proficiency with computer systems, databases, and digital documentation tools.
• Fluent written and verbal English communication skills.

Education and Experience:

• Meet the Level II training and experience requirements of the HTS written practices in each method of certification.
• A current ASNT NDT Level III certificate in the method satisfies the Level III training and experience requirements.
• Without an ASNT NDT Level III certificate, experience as a certified Level II in the method, based on education:
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or science: one (1) year
  • Two (2) years of engineering or science study at a university, college, or technical school: two (2) years
  • High School Diploma or equivalent: four (4) years
• Preferred: Nuclear outage and ASME Section XI inservice inspection experience, including IVVI and reactor vessel internals examinations.

Required Certifications (Level III):

• One of the following:
  • Current ASNT NDT Level III certificate with a valid endorsement in UT, MT, PT, VT, or ET; or
  • ASME Section XI inspection-only Level III (no ASNT certificate required): current Level II certification in the method plus the experience above. This certification is limited to ASME Section XI inspection and evaluation duties; training, examination, and certification of personnel require the ASNT certificate.
• Level III certification, or eligibility for certification, to the HTS written practices in the applicable method(s).
• Successful completion of HTS Level III Specific and Practical examinations for each method, and the Demonstration examination for ASME Section XI. Candidates without an ASNT endorsement in the method also complete the HTS Basic and Method examinations.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to obtain unescorted access to nuclear facilities.

Preferred Certifications:

• VT-1/VT-2/VT-3 with IVVI, MRP-227/228, IWE, or IWL endorsements.
• ASNT NDT Level III certificate, or endorsements in multiple methods.
• EPRI Performance Demonstration Initiative (PDI) qualifications.
• PAUT, TOFD, or FMC Level III (requires a current UT Level III, documented procedure-writing experience, and demonstrated proficiency in evaluating results).
• ET Qualified Data Analyst (QDA) per the EPRI Steam Generator Performance Demonstration Program.
• NQA-1 Lead Auditor qualification.