Nondestructive Tester Training Leader (WL-3705-11)

Air Force Test Center; Edwards Air Force Base (CA); On-site; USD 111,780 - 130,416; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Test Center at Edwards AFB seeks a Nondestructive Tester Training Leader to guide a small team in Eddy-current, magnetic particle, ultrasonic, and radiographic inspections. You will serve as NDI technical advisor, lead three or more trades, and ensure currency per standards.

You will supervise work, maintain documentation, and mentor both military and civilian personnel, while upholding safety rules and ensuring adherence to quality directives.

Qualifications

• Must be able to lead a team of three or more workers and supervise work to standards.
• Instruct and mentor military and civilian personnel; ensure currency in NDT disciplines.
• Obtain and maintain security clearance; NAS-410 Certification required; drug testing position.

Responsibilities

• Perform Eddy-Current, Magnetic Particle, Ultrasonic, and Radiographic inspections on aircraft and equipment.
• Serve as NDI technical advisor to the unit and supervise execution of inspections.
• Maintain records, ensure safety, and develop procedures for nondestructive testing.

Skills

Team leadership

Instruct personnel

Safety awareness

Verbal and written communication

Tools

Ultrasonic equipment

Eddy current equipment

Penetrant and magnetic particle testing

Job description

These listed job announcements are covered by Direct Hire Authorities (DHA), which are separate from the traditional recruitment job announcements found on USA Jobs.For more information on DHA, click the Air Force Civilian Serviceimage linkon the right side of the page (or scroll to the bottom of your mobile device) and click “Find a Job.” You can also click the USA Jobs image linkto view additional job announcements. For further assistance, please contact AFTC Enterprise Recruitment at [e-mail] .

NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.

The 412th Maintenance Group is looking for a Full-Time Nondestructive Tester Training Leader (WL-3705-11) to work at the 412th Test Wing, 412th Maintenance Group, 412th Maintenance Squadron, Fabrication Flight / Non-Destructive Inspection Shop (412 MXS/MXMFN) at Edwards AFB.

The purpose of this position is to lead three or more workers to accomplish trades and/or labor work on a substantially full time and continuing bases. Leader is responsible to both perform the work assigned by supervisor and ensures that subordinates completed assigned work consistent with trades and labor standards. To assist in advancing personnel in their intermediate skill levels to achieve and/or maintain Level II Currency in all required disciplines.

Announcement Closes: 23 Aug 2026.

Typical 2026 salary range: $53.74- $62.70 per hour (includes Locality)

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible.

Areas of Consideration (AOC): Department – wide (DoD)

Desired Skills:

- Must be a team player, able to work with both military and civilian personnel.

- Willing and able to instruct new and experienced personnel, both military and civilian.

- Able to treat all personnel with dignity and respect.

- Possess outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

Major Duties:

- Performs Eddy-Current, Magnetic Particle, Ultra-Violet Radiographic, and Ultrasonic inspections on aircraft and support equipment.

- Serve as NDI technical advisor.

- Leads a team of three or more trades and/or labor workers and check work while in progress and when finished.

- Directly responsible to supervisory to ensure that work assigned to the team is carried out.

- Maintains knowledge and procedural currency, conductions tasks assigned by supervisor.

-Determines and performs inspection methods, prepared fluids, parts for non-destructive inspection and determines the test method best suited for the part.

-Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a safe and clean work environment.

-Maintains equipment records and documents actions.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest
• Obtain & maintain Security clearance.
• This is a designated Drug Testing Position
• Must have current NAS-410 Certification at least one of the 5 inspection disciplines.
• Skill to set up and operate ultrasonic, eddy current, penetrant, magnetic particle, JOAP, JETSCAN and radiographic equipment to examine a variety of aerospace parts, components, or materials, and to modify procedures to achieve inspection objectives, and ability to interpret flaw indications and their relevance to the reliability of the product.
• Knowledge of ultrasonic, eddy current, penetrant, magnetic particle, industrial x-ray radiographic methods, Joint oil analysis, JETSCAN program and equipment of nondestructive testing to investigate failures in critical aircraft structures and components when considerable unknown factors are involved; and various shapes, sizes, and density of flaw indications in parts being tested.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and procedures.
• Ability to read and interpret quality control directives, engineering drawings, NDI literature, and technical orders concerning nondestructive testing methods and procedures; document actions; and maintain records manually or on a computer terminal.
• Skill to work with quality assurance and engineering personnel to modify inspection procedures and test standards to achieve inspection objectives.

ADHERENCE TO APPLICABLE HAF/AFMC/AFTC STRATEGIC HIRING GUIDANCE IS REQUIRED