PPG NDT Lead

About the Role
The Pipeline Senior NDT Lead is responsible for ensuring seamless integration of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques throughout the project lifecycle, focusing on the integrity and reliability of welded joints. This role requires extensive knowledge and experience in Advanced Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) Techniques, including Zonal Discrimination, Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT), Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD), and the inspection of Corrosion Resistant Alloys (CRA) girth welds. The position emphasizes the development of NDT techniques, qualification, and implementation of NDT systems to maintain high productivity and consistent quality according to project requirements on pipelay vessels. The Lead coordinates multidisciplinary teams, interfaces with key stakeholders—including NDT Subcontractors, Engineering, Procurement, Marine, Quality, and Clients—to achieve project objectives. Compliance with international standards, resource optimization, and risk mitigation are critical facets of the role, as the NDT Lead is accountable for the overall project execution, covering engineering, budget management, qualification, equipment readiness, quality assurance, production KPIs, and integration of lessons learned across all Pipeline NDT activities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement detailed Advanced NDT procedures, including calibration blocks required by contracts for pipeline welding activities during project planning and execution phases.
• Liaise with Operations Manager (Fabrication/Marine), Discipline Managers, PMT, customers, Operations/Field Engineers, QC/NDT Engineers, Certifying Authority, NDT Subcontractors, and other technical agencies (e.g., TWI, DNVGL).
• Participate in the bidding process to review and summarize customer specifications, identify bid qualifications and clarifications, project welder and procedure qualification requirements, NDT consumable requirements, and provide inputs to develop pipeline technological cycle times/lay rates. Identify special needs for execution and account for them in the bid package.
• Responsible for project setup, planning, and readiness by developing the full scope of NDT procedures during welding procedure, welder qualification, and materials estimation for qualification and production onboard.
• Seek review and approval of all Project Pipeline NDT Procedures through direct and indirect communications with the customer and Certifying Authority.
• Review the awarded NDT budget and ensure that costs remain within budget, schedule, and productivity during execution.
• Ensure adequate staffing levels within the team according to project schedules and Personnel On Board (POB) requirements during offshore installation phases.
• Coordinate with stakeholders, subcontractors, and testing laboratories regarding testing of procedure and welder qualification coupons.
• Support procurement activities related to pipeline components by participating in the review of Material Requisitions (MR), Technical Bid Evaluations (TBE), vendor documents, and technical queries.
• Provide Requests for Quotation (RFQ) and technical selection of NDT subcontractors as per project requirements and conduct regular reviews of subcontract award status.
• Estimate NDT consumable requirements and periodically review NDT consumables to optimize costs.
• Provide inputs for kick-off meetings and readiness reviews, including lessons learned during project setup, starting of welding procedures, welder qualification, pipeline installation, and project closeout.
• Investigate issues and quality-related problems, identifying causes of failures, and prescribing fit-for-purpose approaches.
• Supervise and monitor offshore pipeline fabrication and installation, ensuring adherence to project specifications, codes, and standards.
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) requirements and quality assurance procedures throughout all pipeline operations.
• Manage firing line activities, ensuring readiness, resolving start-up issues, monitoring actual pipelay rates against planned, and providing technical support during the installation phase.
• Evaluate the performance of NDT subcontractors onboard regarding productivity and interpretation of results.
• Prepare progress reports, maintain documentation, and support audits for project quality and safety compliance.
• Perform NDT surveillance audits and regular monitoring of inspection activities, verifying jobs performed by Operators/Technicians in the Welding Technical Center (WTC) and firing line on pipelay vessels.
• Foster innovation within the industry and collaborate with all departments to execute Research and Development (R&D) projects/goals identified for pipelines under the Pipeline Project Group (PPG).
• Assess employee performance and provide leadership and mentoring to the team.
• Offer inputs based on NDT results during welding procedure development and welder qualification to improve welding quality and workmanship practices for an efficient transition to offshore pipelay.

Qualifications
Essential Qualifications and Education:

• High School Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, NDT Technology, or a related field.
• Certification in Magnetic Ultrasonic Testing (MUT), Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), Liquid Penetrant Testing (LPT), and AUT/PAUT (e.g., ISO 9712, PCN, CSWIP, ASNT Level III preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in NDT/AUT operations, with at least 5 years in a supervisory role.
• Proficiency with computer and Microsoft programs, preparation software, e.g., ES Beam tool, AUT software platforms (e.g., TomoScan, UltraVision, FocusScan, PipeWizard).
• Occupationally qualified to internationally recognized schemes that determine competency (i.e., PCN, CSWIP, ASNT, etc.).
• Proficient in accurately assessing examination results, sentencing welds, and reporting the outcomes according to relevant code/spec acceptance criteria.
• Preferred qualifications include valid BOSIET, HUET, and Offshore Medical Certificates, as well as experience working on pipelay vessels, lay barges, or similar offshore assets.