NDT Manager

Use your knowledge and leadership skills to keep the world safe—every day.

When you’re an NDT manager, you’ve gained advanced specialized skills that are transferable across many industries and are in high demand, and with the additional responsibilities of your role, you are qualified for higher pay rates.

What Does an NDT Manager Do?

An NDT manager (or quality assurance manager or Responsible Level III) develops, implements, and maintains programs, methods, and procedures that ensure assets are tested according to quality standards, keeping these assets functioning reliably and safely.

Imagine a role in which you lead by:

supervising NDT personnel
interacting with customers and suppliers
selling NDT services
finding innovative inspection solutions
maintaining high ethical standards in your workplace

This career offers skilled NDT practitioners the chance to shape and implement successful programs that keep the world safe – with the potential of a more stable schedule.

What Does It Take to Be an NDT Manager?

The term NDT manager applies to the people responsible for creating the NDT programs and procedures used by NDT technicians and practitioners to test assets according to quality standards.

On this career path, you’ll typically hold a Level III certification and lead a team of NDT technicians. You’ll continue to evaluate and innovate your NDT program, incorporating the latest technological advances and quality standards updates. You’ll also be responsible for training and evaluating your team of technicians to ensure they have the skills needed to perform the inspections. You may also sell your company’s services and engage with customers and suppliers.

As an NDT manager, you’ll have a variety of roles and responsibilities and could work in a number of industries. Consider a few examples:

We need to ensure that companies understand how critical our role is, and the importance of attracting and retaining high-caliber people to it. Our product is generally just the sum of the planes that didn’t crash, the boilers that didn’t explode, the bridges that didn’t collapse, and all the other catastrophic failures that were prevented.”

Jacob Wallace

NDT Manager

Essential Certifications: Meet NDT Manager Requirements

ASNT standards-based certifications demonstrate your mastery of nondestructive testing methods and practical field experience—creating both stability and growth opportunities.

These globally recognized certifications are highly transferable—so you can take them with you as you advance or change roles and jobs.

Which Certification Is Right for Me?

A female worker in a hard hat and safety glasses stands confidently in a workshop, with sparks in the background.

What’s Next? Career Pathways for NDT Managers

As an NDT manager, you’re building a body of knowledge and skills that open doors to career advancement in many directions.

As your experience grows, you may find yourself with options for transitioning your skills into new companies, locations, applications, or even across industries.

See where your advanced skills can lead.