NDT Physicist / NDT Research Engineer
NOV
Houston, TX · Posted September 25, 2026
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About the job
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.