Non-destructive testing specialist

Description

Non-destructive testing specialists carry out testing of vehicles, vessels, other manufactured objects, and construction structures without having to damage them. They use special equipment such as X-ray, ultrasound, radiographics, or infrared instruments to perform testing activities and report based on the observed results.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to non-destructive testing specialist:

non-destructive testing technician
nondestructive test specialist
non-destructive testing technologist
non-destructive testing assistant
non-destructive testing technology specialist
non-destructive testing technology expert
non-destructive test specialist
nondestructive testing specialist

Minimum qualifications

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a non-destructive testing specialist.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Non-destructive testing specialist is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Non-destructive testing specialist career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to non-destructive testing specialist.

veneer grader
engineered wood board grader
aircraft de-icer installer
motor vehicle assembly inspector
rolling stock assembly inspector

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of non-destructive testing specialist. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of non-destructive testing specialist with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

material testing technician
pneumatic engineering technician
sewerage maintenance technician
quality engineering technician
rolling stock engine tester

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of non-destructive testing specialist.

  • Non-destructive testing: The techniques used to assess the characteristics of materials, products and systems without causing damage, such as ultrasonic, radiographic, and remote visual inspection and testing.
  • Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of non-destructive testing specialist.

  • Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
  • Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
  • Report test findings: Report test results with a focus on findings and recommendations, differentiating results by levels of severity. Include relevant information from the test plan and outline the test methodologies, using metrics, tables, and visual methods to clarify where needed.
  • Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
  • Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
  • Use non-destructive testing equipment: Use specific non-destructive testing methods and equipment that do not cause any damage to the product, such as X-rays, ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection, industrial CT scanning and others, in order to find defects in and assure quality of a manufactured and a repaired product.
  • Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
  • Examine civil structures: Perform non-destructive testing on civil structures such as bridges and pipelines in order to find abnormalities or damage.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of non-destructive testing specialist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
  • Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of non-destructive testing specialist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Perform liquid penetrant tests: Detect surface cracks by covering the surface of objects with fluorescent dyes and applying developer.
  • Make radiographic images: Produce radiographic images to detect flaws in objects.
  • Develop material testing procedures: Develop testing protocols in collaboration with engineers and scientists to enable a variety of analyses such as environmental, chemical, physical, thermal, structural, resistance or surface analyses on a wide range of materials such as metals, ceramics or plastics.
  • Analyse test data: Interpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.
  • Calibrate electronic instruments: Correct and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer and using calibration devices.
  • Identify defects in concrete: Use infrared techniques to discover defects in concrete.
  • Maintain test equipment: Maintain equipment used for testing the quality of systems and products.
  • Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
  • Use ultrasonic equipment: Use ultrasonic techniques and equipment to discover defects in solid materials.
  • Assist scientific research: Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
  • Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
  • Lead inspections: Lead inspections and the protocol involved, such as introducing the inspection team, explaining the purpose of the inspection, performing the inspection, requesting documents, asking appropriate questions, and maintaining a high level of professionalism when investigating subjects.

ISCO group and title

7543 – Product graders and testers (excluding foods and beverages)


References
  1. Non-destructive testing specialist – ESCO
Last updated on October 22, 2022

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