Director, Non-Destructive Evaluation

Divergent

$222K — $305K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of NDE, manufacturing, materials, or related engineering experience, preferably in aerospace, defense, or space.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related technical field.
  • Active level III certification in at least one NDE method (RT, CT, UT/PAUT, or PT).
  • Experience leading NDE engineering and production inspection operations.
  • Demonstrated experience developing and qualifying NDE procedures and deploying them into production.
  • Proven ability to build teams and technical capabilities from the ground up.
  • Experience with specifying, procuring, installing, and qualifying NDE capital equipment.

Responsibilities

  • Build and lead the NDE engineering and production inspection teams.
  • Own the enterprise NDE strategy and technology roadmap across diverse materials and processes.
  • Lead the development, validation, and qualification of NDE methods including RT, CT, PT, UT/PAUT.
  • Establish standardized workflows for inspection, training, certification, and governance.
  • Develop novel NDE approaches tailored to Divergent's fixtureless manufacturing system.
  • Integrate NDE equipment and data into MES and broader digital operations.
  • Serve as the senior NDE technical authority, collaborating with various departments.

Benefits

  • World-class compensation package, including salary, equity plan, and performance-based bonuses.
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays, including a year-end shutdown.
  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits with HMO and Premium PPO options, life insurance, and disability coverage.
  • Reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives.
  • Collaborative work environment within a fast-paced, innovative team.
Full Job Description
Purpose

The Technology organization is the engine that creates DAPS, the 21st-century automated design and manufacturing platform accelerating advancements in aerospace & defense and high-volume automotive markets.

The Director, Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) owns the strategy, roadmap, engineering maturity, and operational excellence of Divergent's NDE capabilities. This leader will build and lead the NDE organization across both method development and production inspection, ensuring Divergent meets customer and industry requirements while advancing the state of the art in automated, digitally integrated inspection.
The Role
  • Build and lead both the NDE engineering team and production inspection organization.
  • Own the enterprise NDE strategy and technology roadmap across multiple materials, manufacturing processes, and product applications.
  • Lead development, validation, and qualification of methods including RT, CT, PT, UT/PAUT, and emerging inspection technologies.
  • Establish standardized inspection workflows, training, certification, calibration, equipment controls, and technical governance.
  • Develop novel NDE approaches suited to Divergent's fixtureless, adaptable DAPS manufacturing system, rather than simply replicating legacy inspection practices.
  • Integrate NDE equipment and inspection data into MES, traceability, automated disposition, and the broader DAPS digital thread.
  • Serve as Divergent's senior NDE technical authority and partner closely with Materials, Design, Manufacturing, Production, Factory Development, and Quality.
  • Support product development, process qualification, root-cause investigations, customer requirements, and acceptance-criteria development.
Basic Qualifications
  • Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls.
  • 10+ years of NDE, manufacturing, materials, or related engineering experience, preferably in aerospace, defense, or space.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related technical field.
  • Demonstrated experience leading both NDE engineering and production inspection operations.
  • Active level III certification in at least one of the following RT, CT, UT/PAUT, or PT.
  • Experience developing and qualifying NDE procedures and deploying them into production.
  • Experience specifying, procuring, installing, and qualifying NDE capital equipment.
  • Demonstrated experience building teams and technical capabilities from the ground up.
  • Strong engineering and operational background, with the ability to connect NDE results to materials, manufacturing processes, design requirements, and production performance.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with inspection of additive manufactured hardware, structural adhesive joints, or aerospace weldments.
  • Current or past level III certification in multiple NDE methods
  • Strong knowledge of aerospace NDE standards, qualification requirements, and quality systems (AMS, ASTM, MIL, ...).


Pay Range

$222,130-$305,430 USD

What We Offer:
  • Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
  • Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
  • Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
  • Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
  • Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint.

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