NDT Physicist / NDT Research Engineer

Aimlroles; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

NOV in Houston is seeking an NDT Physicist / NDT Research Engineer to advance UT, PAUT, and EMI methods for tubular inspection and industrial applications.

The role combines hands-on testing, data analysis, method development, and problem solving while collaborating with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality teams to deliver robust inspection solutions.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on NDT experience.
• Experience with Ultrasonic Testing (UT).
• Experience with Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT).
• Experience with EMI or related electromagnetic NDT technology.
• Degree in Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, or closely related field.
• Experience interpreting and analyzing inspection data.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving ability; hands-on with equipment.
• Effective written and verbal communication; multidisciplinary teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve NDT inspection methods for tubular applications.
• Apply UT, PAUT, and EMI techniques to inspection challenges.
• Support development of inspection procedures, scan plans, and calibration approaches.
• Analyze inspection data to identify defects and evaluate quality.
• Test and validate inspection equipment, sensors, probes, and instrumentation.
• Conduct laboratory and field testing to evaluate performance and reliability.
• Troubleshoot issues with inspection workflows and systems.
• Document methods, findings, and recommendations in reports.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality teams.
• Stay current with NDT standards and industry practices.

Skills

Ultrasonic Testing

PAUT

EMI NDT

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher (Physics/Engineering/MSE)

Tools

OmniScan

BeamTool

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

LabVIEW

Job description

NOV is seeking an NDT Physicist / NDT Research Engineer to support the development, validation, optimization, and application of advanced nondestructive testing technologies for industrial and tubular inspection applications.

The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation in ultrasonic testing (UT), phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), and electromagnetic inspection (EMI), combined with a bachelor’s degree or higher in Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.

This is a hands-on technical individual contributor role focused on inspection technology, experimental testing, data analysis, troubleshooting, method development, and engineering problem solving.

• Develop, evaluate, and improve NDT inspection methods and technologies for industrial and tubular applications.
• Apply Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT), and Electromagnetic Inspection (EMI) techniques to inspection and characterization challenges.
• Support development and optimization of inspection procedures, scan plans, calibration approaches, and inspection methodologies.
• Analyze NDT and inspection data to identify defects, characterize indications, evaluate inspection quality, and improve detection performance.
• Support testing and validation of inspection equipment, sensors, probes, transducers, and related instrumentation.
• Conduct laboratory and field testing to evaluate inspection system performance, repeatability, sensitivity, and reliability.
• Troubleshoot technical issues involving inspection equipment, acquisition systems, instrumentation, and inspection workflows.
• Apply engineering and physics principles to solve inspection and measurement problems.
• Use data analysis, modeling, simulation, or programming tools to support NDT technology development and evaluation.
• Document test methods, technical findings, procedures, results, and recommendations in engineering reports and technical documentation.
• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams.
• Support technology development from concept and experimental validation through implementation and continuous improvement.
• Stay current with applicable NDT standards, customer requirements, and industry practices.

Required Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on NDT experience.
• Experience with Ultrasonic Testing (UT).
• Experience with Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT).
• Experience with Electromagnetic Inspection (EMI) or a directly applicable electromagnetic NDT technology.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or another closely related technical discipline.
• Experience interpreting and analyzing inspection data.
• Demonstrated troubleshooting and technical problem-solving ability.Ability to work hands-on with inspection equipment and technical systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering and technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with eddy current, electromagnetic, MFL, EMAT, guided wave, or other advanced electromagnetic inspection technologies.
• Experience with NDT inspection systems, sensors, transducers, instrumentation, or data acquisition.
• Experience developing or validating NDT procedures and inspection methodologies.
• Experience with tubular, OCTG, pipeline, manufacturing, aerospace, oil & gas, or other safety-critical inspection applications.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, C/C++, LabVIEW, or similar technical computing/programming tools.
• Experience with signal processing, image processing, numerical modeling, finite-element analysis, or data analytics.
• Experience with OmniScan, BeamTool, Eddyfi, Zetec, Evident/Olympus, or similar NDT equipment/software.
• Familiarity with ASME, ASTM, API, ASNT, or related inspection standards.
• Research, product development, laboratory experimentation, or technology commercialization experience.