Nondestructive Testing Inspector Jobs in Santa Ana, CA

Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost.

Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built.

Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we’re building the future of American manufacturing—and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen.

If you’re ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

The Role:

The Senior NDT Engineer – Level III serves as the technical authority for the nondestructive testing (NDT) program, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory, contractual, and quality system requirements. This position provides governance, oversight, and technical leadership in a highly regulated manufacturing environment supporting mission-critical programs.

What You’ll Do

• Lead development, review, approval, and control of NDT procedures and technique sheets to ensure alignment with applicable codes, standards, and customer requirements.

• Oversee program governance including revision control, configuration management, documentation integrity, and personnel qualification tracking.

• Maintain oversight of calibration systems, equipment traceability, and certification compliance.

• Lead audit readiness efforts and serve as technical representative during internal and external audits.

• Provide technical review, complex inspection support, and mentorship to Level I and II personnel while driving continuous improvement within the NDT program.
  

What We’re Looking For

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in nondestructive testing, including demonstrated program oversight and procedure development.

• Current Level III certification in at least four methods: MT, PT, RT, UT, and VT.

• Experience operating within a regulated quality environment requiring strong documentation control, traceability, and audit support.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply technical codes, standards, and contractual requirements to compliant procedures.

• Experience leading or supporting external audits within structured quality management systems.
  

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience supporting NAVSEA or aerospace programs with comparable regulatory and compliance requirements.

• Experience in high-consequence manufacturing environments such as defense, aerospace launch, propulsion, or similarly rigorous technical sectors.

• Exposure to automated, robotic, or advanced NDT inspection systems.

• Familiarity with digital inspection platforms or electronic quality management systems.
  

Compensation

For this role, the target salary range is $180,000-$205,000 (actual range may vary based on experience).

This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees

• 401k

• Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.

• Flexible vacation policy

• Equity

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Hadrian uses AI-assisted tools in our recruiting and hiring processes to help our team work more efficiently. This may include tools that help organize and analyze recruiting data, as well as an AI-powered notetaker that can record and transcribe interviews and help coordinate feedback. These tools support our team and are not used to make hiring decisions. All candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are performed by humans. If an interview will be recorded, you will be notified in advance and may opt out at any time with no impact on your candidacy. Candidate data processed through these tools is subject to the same protections described in our Privacy Policy.

It is the Company’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Compensation Range: $150K - $180K