Lead Quality Inspector - Radiography

Matchtech; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech Group is seeking a Lead Quality Inspector specialising in Radiography to support submarine manufacturing and inspection activities in Barrow. You will provide technical leadership for industrial, computed and digital radiography, ensuring inspection processes meet quality, safety and regulatory requirements.

The role requires PCN Level 3 radiography qualifications and extensive experience in NDT across welds and castings.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in industrial radiography, including welds and castings.
• Detailed knowledge of radiographic physics, image quality, exposure parameters and defect mechanisms.
• Experience with computed and digital radiography and image integrity requirements.
• Strong understanding of ionising radiation legislation and risk assessments.
• Knowledge of weld quality, materials, and NDT within complex engineering programmes.
• Experience in authority, audit, competence assurance and personnel authorisation.
• Familiarity with Defence Standards and NDT quality assurance requirements.
• Excellent analytical, report-writing and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical authority and process ownership for radiographic inspection activities.
• Develop, validate and maintain radiographic techniques, procedures and work instructions.
• Advise on radiation safety and regulatory compliance.
• Lead evaluation and introduction of new radiographic technologies and techniques.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Design, Manufacturing, Quality and Product Safety teams.
• Manage radiological risk assessments and complex radiological issues.
• Approve and audit the competence and authorisation of radiography personnel.
• Lead investigations and corrective actions where radiographic performance affects safety.

Skills

Industrial radiography

Computed radiography

Digital radiography

Radiation safety

NDT standards

Technical authority

Quality assurance

Welding inspection

Education

Foundation Degree in NDT

PCN Level 3 Radiography of Welds

PCN Level 3 Radiography of Castings

PCN Level 2 Computed Radiography

Advanced Radiation Safety qualification

BINDT membership (desirable)

Job description

Our client, a leading organisation within the defence and security sector, is seeking a Lead Quality Inspector specialising in Radiography to support submarine manufacturing and inspection activities in Barrow. This contract role provides technical leadership for industrial, computed and digital radiography, ensuring inspection processes meet stringent quality, safety and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical authority and process ownership for radiographic and computed or digital radiographic inspection activities.
• Develop, validate, approve and maintain radiographic techniques, procedures and work instructions.
• Provide specialist advice on radiation safety, ionising radiation legislation, local rules and radiological risk management.
• Lead the evaluation and introduction of new radiographic technologies, image-processing systems and inspection techniques.
• Work closely with Engineering, Design, Manufacturing, Quality and Product Safety teams to ensure effective inspection capability.
• Manage radiological risk assessments, technical advice, contingency requirements and complex radiological issues.
• Approve, audit and review the competence and authorisation of radiography personnel, including certification and practical capability.
• Lead technical investigations, corrective actions and concession activities where radiographic performance may affect product integrity or safety.

Job Requirements:

• Significant experience in industrial radiography, including radiography of welds and castings.
• Detailed knowledge of radiographic physics, image quality, exposure parameters, defect mechanisms and inspection limitations.
• Experience with computed radiography, digital radiography and associated image integrity requirements.
• Strong understanding of ionising radiation legislation, radiation protection arrangements and radiological risk assessment.
• Knowledge of weld quality, materials, manufacturing processes, product safety and non-destructive testing within complex engineering programmes.
• Experience in technical authority, process approval, audit, competence assurance and personnel authorisation.
• Knowledge of relevant Defence Standards, national and international NDT standards and quality assurance requirements.
• Excellent analytical, report-writing, stakeholder management and technical mentoring skills.

Qualifications:

• PCN Level 3 in Radiography of Welds is expected.
• PCN Level 3 in Radiography of Castings is desirable.
• PCN Level 2 in Computed Radiography is desirable.
• Foundation Degree in Non-Destructive Testing or an equivalent relevant engineering qualification.
• Advanced Radiation Safety qualification, with practical experience applying radiation protection arrangements in an industrial environment.
• Professional membership of BINDT and involvement in relevant technical or radiation protection forums is desirable.

Additional Information:

• Contract position based in Barrow.
• 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with potential flexibility over four days.
• Predominantly onsite, typically four to five days per week.
• Assignment operates inside IR35.