Pressure Vessel Test Technician for Fastwater Staffing

HIKINEX•North Kingstown, RI

About The Position

The Pressure Vessel Test Technician sets up, operates, and monitors hydrostatic testing equipment to pressure-test sealed vessels, housings, and related components. The technician prepares test articles and fixtures, verifies setups before pressurization, monitors pressure and components during test cycles, and inspects for leaks or other non-conformances. The role also includes recording test parameters and results, maintaining test equipment, complying with safety procedures, and coordinating with production, quality, and engineering teams. The technician provides input on process improvements to documentation, fixtures, cycle times, and test throughput.

Requirements

At least 4 years of hands-on experience in testing, inspection, or manufacturing assembly environments.
Demonstrated experience with high-pressure testing (hydrostatic or pneumatic), leak detection methods, or comparable quality-verification testing.
Proficiency in reading and working directly from technical documentation, engineering drawings, and detailed test plans.
Strong procedural discipline and attention to detail when executing tests and recording empirical data.
Mechanical aptitude with high-pressure systems, pumps, high-pressure fittings, fluid manifolds, and instrumentation gauges.
Effective written and verbal technical communication skills for documenting test reports and conveying results to engineering teams.
Eligibility to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Background in maritime, aerospace, or defense manufacturing environments.
Hands-on experience with hydrostatic proof, leak, or burst testing of sealed electronic enclosures or pressure hulls.
Familiarity with subsea robotics, AUVs, UUVs, or marine equipment.
Active or prior VT (Visual Testing) or PT (Penetrant Testing) inspection credentials.
Experience using ERP or MES platforms for work-order tracking and test-data logging.
Current or previous certifications in overhead crane operation, rigging, or confined spaces.
Technical certificate, trade diploma, or Associate degree in a relevant technical or mechanical discipline.

Responsibilities

Set up, operate, and monitor hydrostatic test chambers to test sealed vessels, housings, and related components at specified proof pressures and dwell times.
Prepare test articles by installing fittings, plugs, seals, sensors, and fluid interfaces; verify fixtures and setups before pressurization.
Maintain and stage testing fixtures, high-pressure tooling, and supporting hardware.
Inspect components before, during, and after testing for leaks, seal degradation, weld flaws, structural anomalies, and other non-conformances; document and isolate issues.
Record test parameters, cycles, results, and observations, and complete test logs, formal reports, and quality-system documentation in accordance with procedures.
Interpret precision pressure gauges and sensor data to ensure test integrity.
Perform routine preventative maintenance on the chamber, pumps, valves, high-pressure lines, and instrumentation; flag equipment requiring repair, overhaul, or recalibration.
Follow safety guidelines for high-pressure pneumatic and hydrostatic operations, maintain clean and organized test bays, and report process anomalies or equipment hazards.
Coordinate test schedules and communicate results with production, quality assurance, and engineering teams; assist with root-cause isolation for failed units and provide feedback on recurring build anomalies or design considerations.
Provide technical input to improve test documentation, fixturing design, cycle times, and chamber throughput.