Eddy Current Testing (ET) Jobs

Eddy Current Testing (ET) is an advanced electromagnetic Non-Destructive Testing method used for detecting surface and near-surface defects in conductive materials. By inducing an alternating magnetic field into a component, technicians observe changes in the flow of eddy currents to identify cracks, corrosion, or material thickness variations. Because it does not require direct contact or the removal of non-conductive coatings like paint, ET is one of the most efficient methods for high-speed inspection of aerospace components and heat exchanger tubes.

In the power generation and HVAC industries, ET is the gold standard for tube inspection within condensers and boilers. Technicians use specialized bobbin probes and rotating scanners to map out wall thinning and pitting that could lead to catastrophic equipment failure. In the aerospace sector, ET is critical for inspecting rivet holes, airframe skins, and engine components for fatigue cracking. Unlike MT or PT, ET provides digital data that can be recorded and analyzed in real time, allowing for a high degree of precision and traceability.

Becoming a top-tier ET technician requires specialized training in signal analysis and impedance plane interpretation. Professionals in this field often specialize further into Remote Field Testing (RFT) or Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC). Mastery of equipment from manufacturers like Olympus, Zetec, or Eddyfi is essential for working to standards such as ASME Section V or specific Boeing and Airbus NDT manuals. Due to the technical complexity of the method, ET technicians often command higher compensation packages than those in other surface-based NDT disciplines.