AI-Driven Phased Array Ultrasonic Inspection Engineer (KTP)

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer or physicist to work at the forefront of AI-driven non-destructive testing (NDT), developing advanced ultrasonic inspection technologies for real-world industrial applications.

Based primarily at ESR Technology, you will design and implement phased-array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) experiments and develop AI-enabled signal processing workflows for the detection and assessment of corrosion under pipe supports (CUPS). You will link inspection parameters and wave propagation behaviour to defect detection, sizing, and confidence quantification.

Working within a multidisciplinary environment, you will collaborate with NDT specialists, data scientists, and software engineers to develop and validate an innovative inspection solution (M-SKIP2). The role will involve delivering demonstrators and deployable software tools, supporting industrial implementation and future commercialisation.

This role is delivered through a 36-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Brunel University London and ESR Technology Ltd, providing a structured environment for professional development, advanced training, and close collaboration between industry and academia.

The Company

ESR Technology Ltd is a specialist engineering consultancy providing inspection, non-destructive testing (NDT), asset integrity and safety services. The company works across energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors, delivering advanced inspection solutions and developing innovative technologies for real-world applications.

The University

Brunel University London was established in 1966 and is a leading multidisciplinary research-intensive technology university delivering economic, social and cultural benefits.

The KTP is led from within BCAST which is an academic research centre dedicated to fundamental and applied research on the solidification of metallic materials and Non-Destructive Testing.

Academic advice & supervision will be provided by Dr. Ebad Bagherpour, Prof. Tat-Hean Gan and Prof. Aamir Khalid.

The candidate

The Associate will have a strong technical background in engineering or physics, ideally holding a PhD or an MSc with relevant experience.

The successful candidate should have a good understanding of ultrasonic testing (UT/PAUT), signal processing and data analysis, with programming skills (Python/MATLAB) for AI/ML workflows.

Experience in non-destructive testing, structural integrity, or industrial inspection is desirable, as is familiarity with experimental design, uncertainty quantification, or software development.

The Associate must be comfortable working between a university and an industrial partner, managing tasks across multidisciplinary teams.

Equally important are strong communication skills, an organised approach to project delivery, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

The position offers the following benefits:

• A £6,000 personal development budget and access to Innovate UK sponsored training courses.
• Access to BUL’s resources.
• The potential for career development with the company, continuing to lead ultrasonic AI software development beyond the project.