Aviation Services - NDT Level III / Chief Inspector

PROtect, LLC

About The Position

The Aviation NDT Level III / Chief Inspector serves in a combined role as both PROtect’s Aviation NDT Level III and the Chief Inspector for the FAA Part 145 Repair Station and may have other general NDT responsibilities as requested under PROtect’s overall Quality Program. The position serves as PROtect’s primary technical authority for Aviation NDT, with specific responsibility for Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Eddy Current Testing (ET), Penetrant Testing (PT), and Visual Testing (VT). The Level III / Chief Inspector is responsible for ensuring that NDT personnel, procedures, techniques, training, qualification, certification, equipment, calibration, technical data, and inspection records comply with NAS 410, PROtect’s Written Practice(s), applicable FAA regulations, OEM requirements, customer specifications, and approved Repair Station procedures. The position serves as the primary technical escalation point for complex UT, ET, PT, and VT inspection requirements, procedure interpretation, technique development, equipment selection, inspection discrepancies, personnel qualification matters, and other issues requiring Level III authority. As Chief Inspector, the position provides oversight of the Repair Station’s inspection and quality-control functions and ensures that work performed under the FAA Part 145 certificate is accomplished in accordance with applicable regulations, approved manuals, current technical data, customer requirements, and PROtect procedures.

Requirements

Associate of Applied Science in Nondestructive Testing, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline preferred.
Current Level III qualification and certification in accordance with NAS 410 and PROtect’s approved Written Practice in: Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Eddy Current Testing (ET), Penetrant Testing (PT), Visual Testing (VT)
Demonstrated knowledge and experience administering personnel qualification and certification requirements in accordance with NAS 410.
ASNT NDT Level III certification in UT, ET, PT, and/or VT is preferred as supplemental evidence of technical competency.
Additional OEM approvals, aviation-specific NDT certifications, advanced ultrasonic qualifications, or aircraft inspection experience are a plus.
FAA Mechanic Certificate, FAA Repairman Certificate, or other qualification applicable to the approved Chief Inspector position is required as applicable to PROtect’s approved Repair Station structure.
Prior experience serving as an Aviation NDT Level III, Chief Inspector, Quality Manager, or similar technical authority within an FAA Part 145 Repair Station is preferred.
A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in Aviation NDT, including aircraft, component, or aerospace inspection.
A minimum of 7 years of experience as an NDT Level III with direct technical responsibility for UT, ET, PT, and VT.
Strong working knowledge of NAS 410 personnel qualification and certification requirements.
Demonstrated experience developing and approving NDT procedures and techniques.
Experience administering or overseeing technician training, examinations, qualification, and certification.
Strong understanding of FAA Part 145 Repair Station inspection and quality-control requirements.
Experience reviewing OEM aircraft maintenance manuals, NDT manuals, service bulletins, engineering orders, drawings, and customer specifications.
Experience with aviation NDT equipment, reference standards, calibration requirements, inspection records, and technical documentation.
Demonstrated ability to mentor and technically develop Level II personnel.
Strong technical knowledge of UT, ET, PT, and VT inspection methods and aviation applications.
Ability to interpret NAS 410, FAA regulations, OEM requirements, technical data, drawings, procedures, and customer specifications.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to develop clear, technically accurate procedures, training materials, and inspection documentation.
Ability to provide technical leadership and make sound Level III decisions.
Ability to communicate effectively with technicians, customers, Quality personnel, management, FAA representatives, and OEM technical personnel.
Ability to conduct and support technical audits and compliance reviews.
Ability to provide guidance, coaching, training, and technical mentorship.
Strong organizational and documentation-control skills.
Proficient with Microsoft Office and electronic quality/documentation systems.
Ability to travel as required to support customer operations, audits, training, certification activities, and Aviation NDT field requirements. (Up to 25%–40% travel)
Meet the near-vision acuity and color-perception requirements of NAS 410 and PROtect’s Written Practice, including periodic vision examinations.
Ability to work in hangar, shop, and field environments, including lifting, climbing, and working in confined spaces, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Associate of Applied Science in Nondestructive Testing, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline preferred.
ASNT NDT Level III certification in UT, ET, PT, and/or VT is preferred as supplemental evidence of technical competency.
Additional OEM approvals, aviation-specific NDT certifications, advanced ultrasonic qualifications, or aircraft inspection experience are a plus.
Prior experience serving as an Aviation NDT Level III, Chief Inspector, Quality Manager, or similar technical authority within an FAA Part 145 Repair Station is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as PROtect’s designated Aviation NDT Level III for UT, ET, PT, and VT in accordance with NAS 410 and PROtect’s approved Written Practice.
Develop, review, approve, and maintain NDT procedures, techniques, work instructions, and method-specific documentation within the incumbent’s qualified methods.
Interpret and apply OEM manuals, service bulletins, engineering instructions, customer specifications, industry standards, and applicable FAA requirements.
Provide technical guidance and final Level III interpretation when inspection requirements, acceptance criteria, or procedural questions require escalation.
Evaluate new NDT techniques, equipment, probes, reference standards, and inspection technologies for potential implementation within PROtect’s Aviation Services Division.
Provide technical support for aircraft, component, structural, and maintenance-related NDT applications.
Administer and maintain PROtect’s Aviation NDT Written Practice in accordance with NAS 410 and applicable customer requirements.
Establish and maintain qualification and certification requirements for Aviation NDT personnel performing UT, ET, PT, and VT.
Review technician education, formal training, experience, OJT, examination, and certification records for compliance with NAS 410 and PROtect requirements.
Develop, approve, administer, or oversee general, specific, and practical examinations as required by the Written Practice.
Approve initial certification, recertification, suspension, revocation, and reinstatement of NDT personnel qualifications.
Maintain complete, current, and auditable personnel qualification and certification records.
Ensure technicians are qualified and authorized only for the methods, techniques, and inspection activities for which they have demonstrated competency.
Develop and maintain aviation-specific NDT training content for UT, ET, PT, and VT.
Support classroom, online, practical, and on-the-job training activities.
Ensure training content reflects current NAS 410 requirements, OEM practices, customer specifications, and applicable industry standards.
Develop method-specific training modules, practical exercises, examinations, and competency assessments.
Provide technical instruction, mentorship, coaching, and guidance to Level II technicians, Level III candidates, and trainees.
Support development of PROtect’s internal aviation NDT workforce and succession planning.
Serve as Chief Inspector for PROtect’s FAA Part 145 Repair Station.
Oversee Repair Station inspection and quality-control functions.
Ensure inspections are performed by properly trained, qualified, certified, and authorized personnel.
Verify that current and approved technical data is available and used for all applicable inspection activities.
Ensure inspection records are accurate, complete, traceable, and maintained in accordance with FAA and company requirements.
Monitor compliance with the Repair Station Manual, Quality Control Manual, NDT Written Practice, capability requirements, and applicable procedures.
Ensure inspection equipment, tooling, reference standards, and measuring devices are properly identified, controlled, calibrated, and maintained.
Review inspection discrepancies, nonconformances, and corrective actions requiring technical or quality oversight.
Support FAA surveillance, certification activities, customer audits, internal audits, and regulatory inspections.
Coordinate corrective actions resulting from audit findings, regulatory observations, or quality-system deficiencies.
Exercise authority to reject, hold, or stop work that does not conform to applicable requirements, and ensure nonconforming work is not released.
Maintain current working knowledge of 14 CFR Parts 43 and 145 and serve as a primary point of contact with the FAA for inspection and quality matters.
Review NDT specifications accompanying customer orders, work scopes, maintenance instructions, or inspection requests.
Ensure UT, ET, PT, and VT procedures are technically adequate and comply with applicable OEM, FAA, customer, and NAS 410 requirements.
Develop and approve inspection techniques where permitted by applicable technical data.
Ensure revisions to procedures and technical documents are properly reviewed, approved, and controlled.
Provide technical interpretation when conflicting or unclear inspection requirements are identified.
Support engineering coordination when inspection requirements require OEM or customer technical clarification.
Support development, review, and revision of Aviation NDT quality procedures and records.
Participate in internal and external audits related to Aviation NDT and FAA Part 145 operations.
Provide technical support for root-cause analysis, corrective-action development, and nonconformance resolution.
Review NDT documentation for accuracy, completeness, traceability, and technical compliance.
Support capability-list evaluation and self-evaluation activities applicable to NDT services.
Assist in maintaining continued compliance with FAA, NAS 410, customer, and OEM requirements.
Serve as a senior technical resource for Aviation NDT customers.
Support technical discussions, inspection planning, capability assessments, and customer-requested procedure reviews.
Assist with preparation of technical proposals, statements of work, and inspection-support requirements.
Provide technical support for embedded, AOG, project-based, and contract NDT services.
Support customer audits and technical reviews relating to PROtect’s Aviation NDT capabilities.
Maintain professional relationships with customers, OEM representatives, suppliers, and regulatory personnel.
Perform other duties as assigned.