The posting
Vision Point Systems, Inc. is seeking an experienced Structural Engineering Technician with at least five (5) years of experience supporting U.S. Navy ship structures. The successful candidate will support structural condition assessments, nondestructive testing (NDT), and repair planning for Navy ships.
This position requires 50% travel to support shipboard assessments, shipyard activities, and client requirements. When not traveling, the technician will work on site in Navy offices in Philadelphia, PA, directly with the Navy client, engineers, and maintenance stakeholders.
Primary Responsibilities
- Inspect and document the condition of hull plating, decks, bulkheads, stiffeners, frames, foundations, tanks, voids, and other ship structures.
- Identify and document corrosion, pitting, metal loss, cracking, deformation, weld discontinuities, and deterioration affecting structural condition.
- Perform assigned NDT within the limits of current method-specific qualification and certification, using approved procedures and applicable acceptance criteria.
- Collect ultrasonic thickness measurements and prepare thickness maps, inspection sketches, photographs, and traceable records of structural deficiencies.
- Read ship structural drawings, weld symbols, scantlings, repair details, and technical specifications; verify installed conditions against drawings.
- Assist engineers with structural evaluations, repair scopes, inspection plans, and recommendations for follow-up testing or corrective action.
- Prepare clear inspection reports, technical summaries, and client briefings; promptly elevate significant findings to the responsible engineer and Navy client.
- Coordinate access, inspection schedules, and work priorities with Navy personnel, ship’s force, shipyards, and maintenance organizations.
- Maintain inspection equipment, calibration records, test data, and document revision control; follow shipboard and shipyard safety requirements.
Requirements
- Associate degree + 2 yrs experience in Structural Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Marine Engineering Technology, or a related technical field.
-OR-
- Minimum of five (5) years of directly relevant experience evaluating, inspecting, maintaining, or repairing U.S. Navy ship structures.
- Working knowledge of steel and aluminum ship construction, structural members, welding, corrosion mechanisms, and common structural damage.
- Experience interpreting Navy ship drawings and specifications and producing accurate inspection records and technical reports.
- Documented NDT training applicable to ship structures, including the core methods listed below. Must obtain and maintain employer certification for assigned methods before independently performing or accepting examinations.
- Ability to communicate professionally and work directly with the Navy client while coordinating technical issues with the company’s engineering team.
- Ability to travel 50% of the time and work on site in the Philadelphia Navy offices when not traveling.
- Ability to access shipboard spaces, climb ladders, and work in tanks, voids, and other confined spaces when authorized, with required training and protective equipment.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance. Requires US Citizenship.
Required Training/Working Knowledge
Core training for this position includes the following methods and Navy-specific applications. Required qualification scope will be matched to assigned work.
- Visual Testing (VT): Structural and weld examination, weld gauges, surface condition assessment, discontinuity recognition, and inspection documentation.
- Ultrasonic Testing (UT) for Thickness Measurement: Equipment setup, calibration, thickness gauging, corrosion mapping, and evaluation of measurement limitations on pitted or coated ship structures.
Desired Training/Skills
- Magnetic Particle Testing (MT): Surface and near-surface crack detection in ferromagnetic steel structures and welds, including technique selection and indication interpretation.
- Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT): Surface-breaking discontinuity detection in nonporous materials, including aluminum and nonmagnetic structural components and welds.
- Navy Procedure and Acceptance Criteria Training: Applicable contract-invoked NAVSEA requirements, including T9074-AS-GIB-010/271, approved inspection procedures, reporting, and the acceptance standards specified for the work.
- Training in, or demonstrated working knowledge of, Naval Ships’ Technical Manual (NSTM) Chapter 100, Hull Structures. Experience applying NSTM Chapter 100 requirements and guidance to shipboard structural inspections, condition assessments, identification and documentation of structural deterioration, and development of recommendations for additional evaluation or repair is highly desired.
- Training in, or demonstrated working knowledge of, the structural inspection and assessment requirements contained in the Corrosion Control Assessment and Maintenance (CCAM) Manual. Experience applying CCAM requirements to shipboard structural assessments, including identification, characterization, and documentation of corrosion, pitting, section loss, and other structural deficiencies, is highly desired.
- Current or previous employer-issued Level II certifications in VT, UT, MT, and/or PT, supported by training and experience records.
- Ultrasonic angle-beam weld examination training; phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) training and qualification for applicable structural weld examinations.
- Eddy Current Testing (ET) training for applicable surface-crack inspections, especially aluminum structures; radiographic interpretation training where review of weld radiographs is assigned.
- Experience assessing Navy ship tanks, voids, hull structures, and weld repairs during maintenance availabilities or dry-docking.
- Experience with CAD software such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks and with digital inspection reporting, thickness mapping, and maintenance tracking systems.
- Familiarity with applicable NAVSEA welding and inspection requirements and Navy maintenance documentation; AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential is a plus.
- Ability to recognize when additional testing or engineering review is needed and to support repair verification under approved procedures.
Qualification and Safety Training
Training completion alone does not authorize independent NDT work. Personnel must satisfy applicable documented experience, examinations, vision testing, and employer certification requirements under the employer’s written practice and contract-invoked NAVSEA requirements. Level II qualification is required for assigned methods involving independent interpretation and evaluation. Prior certifications are subject to employer review and applicable recertification requirements.
Before field assignments, complete applicable shipboard and shipyard safety training, including confined-space entrant or attendant training as assigned, fall protection, hazard communication, and respiratory protection when required. Follow site-specific access and entry authorization procedures.
Benefits
Full-time employees with Vision Point Systems qualify for a generous benefits package including:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance (1× annual salary)
- Short- and Long-Term Disability
- 401(k) with company matching
- Paid Training and Professional Development
- Flexible work hours (when project and client schedules permit)
Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.
