Drew Jeffries
San Antonio
Summary
Seasoned Nondestructive Testing (NDT) and Quality Assurance Leader with over 19 years of progressive experience in inspection management, process optimization, and personnel development across aerospace, petrochemical, power generation, and heavy industrial sectors. Proven record of leading inspection teams, establishing calibration and compliance programs, and interfacing with customers, auditors, and regulatory agencies to uphold the highest quality standards. Adept at driving efficiency, mentoring inspectors, and implementing continuous improvement strategies that strengthen safety, accuracy, and throughput.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Quality Inspector III / Calibration Specialist
Circor Leslie Controls
02.2024 - Current
- Lead and perform inspections across all manufacturing stages using Visual, PT, and MT methods; ensure compliance with NAVSEA Tech Pub and Customer Specifications.
- Manage calibration program after stepping into a personnel gap, introducing process improvements that reduced turnaround times and eliminated data gaps, while saving the company over $100,000 on an annual basis.
- Collaborated in a cross-functional Kaizen event as a subject matter expert, redesigning the gage management system to streamline workflow and elevate team efficiency and output.
- Coordinate with Source Surveillance Inspectors, as well as government and client representatives, to ensure complete traceability and strict adherence to all quality standards and specifications.
- Execute comprehensive receiving inspections, confirming specification and customer compliance to maintain quality assurance and prevent downstream production issues.
- Conduct final assembly inspections ensuring all valves conform to customer specifications, proper clearance tolerances, and full material traceability before release for shipment.
- Engaged in cross-departmental process improvement initiatives, conducting risk assessments for all sales orders and leading multiple cost analysis projects to optimize quality and reduce operational expenses.
CWI / Level II NDE Specialist
Applied Technical Services
04.2022 - 02.2024
- Conduct inspections and client interface across power generation, construction, and petrochemical sectors.
- Oversee equipment calibration and maintenance while ensuring test accuracy and documentation integrity.
- Function as AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and ASNT Level II (PT, MT, UT) for multiple high profile client bases on multi-million dollar projects.
- Recognized for strengthening communication flow between QA and engineering, reducing report revision rates by 20%.
Lead NDT Technician / CWI
Versa Integrity Group / Renegade Testing
08.2016 - 04.2022
- Led field inspection teams supporting industrial construction, aerospace, oil & gas, and mining operations.
- Directed UT, PT, MT, and RT inspections on critical weldments and structural components.
- Served as QA lead on AWS D1.1 and D1.5 bridge projects (St. Croix Bridge, Goethals Bridge) and industrial clients (Mosaic, Space X, Marathon, Citgo).
- Developed job-specific inspection plans, streamlining workflow and reducing reinspection frequency by 25%.
Owner / Principal Inspector
Patriot Testing and Inspections, LLC
11.2019 - 05.2021
- Provide third-party inspection and quality consulting across construction, petrochemical, and aerospace clients.
- Advise on code interpretation and inspection strategy under AWS D1.1–D1.6, D17.1, ASME Section VIII, B31.1, B31.3.
- Perform mine-site QA oversight, including MSHA-regulated dragline audits and critical component repairs.
- Established document control and reporting templates that improved traceability and compliance for clients.
- Authored and implemented detailed inspection procedures and plans aligned with customer requirements and governing code criteria to maintain regulatory compliance and product integrity.
Quality Manager
Dixie Southern Industrial Inc
03.2016 - 08.2016
- Oversaw all visual inspection activities for manufactured components, averaging more than 50 items daily, ensuring dimensional and visual compliance with engineering drawings and quality standards.
- Trained and supervised junior inspectors, promoting consistent inspection methods and adherence to company and code requirements.
- Restructured the Non-Conformance Report (NCR) program to better track nonconforming product, identify recurring issues, and support data-driven process improvements.
- Led pre-job kickoff meetings to define quality and NDT requirements for each project.
- Scheduled and coordinated third-party NDT services to ensure timely completion of inspections and project milestones.
Certified Welding Inspector / NDE Lead
MetalTek International Inc
08.2013 - 03.2016
- Conducted beginning and in-process inspections on nuclear and power-generation components using Visual, Liquid Penetrant (visible and fluorescent), and Magnetic Particle (visible and fluorescent) methods.
- Served as primary customer interface during audits, inspections, and surveillance visits, ensuring all client and regulatory requirements were met.
- Provided oversight of manufacturing and inspection operations to maintain compliance with NQA-1 and other applicable nuclear fabrication standards.
- Verified inspection documentation and material traceability for modules and components supporting construction of new nuclear power plants.
- Supported process improvement initiatives that enhanced inspection accuracy and reduced non-conformances.
Level II Nondestructive Testing Technician
Turbomeca Manufacturing
04.2011 - 08.2013
- Performed detailed inspections of aerospace components using Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant, Immersion Ultrasonic, Eddy Current, and Radiographic examination techniques.
- Maintained compliance with production schedules in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Established and tracked nonconforming parts per company procedures, ensuring effective corrective actions and documentation control.
- Collaborated directly with French counterparts to synchronize inspection processes and ensure consistent quality standards across facilities.
- Led documentation updates and historical record reconstruction for the penetrant line, resulting in successful NADCAP certification renewal.
- Developed and validated optimized manual inspection procedures for small-area testing, improving rework and re-inspection throughput by more than 400%.
Level II Nondestructive Testing Technician
Acuren
01.2010 - 12.2010
- Refined a Preventive Maintenance inspection program utilizing Ultrasonic Thickness Testing to evaluate facility piping systems.
- Conducted component inspections during unit shutdowns using Visible and Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant, Ultrasonic Shearwave and Magnetic Particle methods.
- Delivered timely inspection results that supported critical maintenance schedules and ensured continued safe operation.
- Maintained thorough inspection documentation and coordinated results with client maintenance teams.
Journeyman NDI Technician
United States Air Force
03.2006 - 03.2008
- Performed Nondestructive Inspections (NDI) on aircraft structures and components to ensure flightworthiness and mission readiness.
- Applied multiple NDI techniques, including Liquid Penetrant, Magnetic Particle, Eddy Current, Ultrasonic, and Radiographic Inspection.
- Maintained exceptional inspection accuracy and safety standards while supporting maintenance operations for multimillion-dollar aircraft.
- Earned Distinguished Graduate honors during NDI technical training by maintaining a 95% average or higher with exemplary conduct.
Education
Nondestructive Testing
U.S. Air Force Technical Training School
Pensacola, FL01.2006
Skills
- Nondestructive Testing
- Skilled in Microsoft Office tools
- Technical blueprint interpretation
- Code Interpretation
- Operational efficiency enhancement
- Collaborative team management
- Audit readiness
- Calibration process optimization
- Lean methodology
- Standard operating procedure development
- Collaborative project engagement
- Calibration system management
- Problem-solving strategies
- Analytical reasoning
Core Competencies
- Leadership & Team Development
- AWS / ASME / NQA-1 / NAVSEA Code Compliance
- Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement
- Multi-Method NDT (PT, MT, UT, ET, RT, VT)
- Calibration Program Management
- Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA)
- Kaizen Events
- Transactional Process Improvement
- Customer & Regulatory Audits
- Procedure Writing & Document Control
- NADCAP, MSHA & ISO 9001 Familiarity
Military Service
- United States Air Force – Airman First Class (2006 – 2008)
- Distinguished Graduate – Nondestructive Inspection Training School
Timeline
Quality Inspector III / Calibration Specialist
Circor Leslie Controls
02.2024 - Current
CWI / Level II NDE Specialist
Applied Technical Services
04.2022 - 02.2024
Owner / Principal Inspector
Patriot Testing and Inspections, LLC
11.2019 - 05.2021
Lead NDT Technician / CWI
Versa Integrity Group / Renegade Testing
08.2016 - 04.2022
Quality Manager
Dixie Southern Industrial Inc
03.2016 - 08.2016
Certified Welding Inspector / NDE Lead
MetalTek International Inc
08.2013 - 03.2016
Level II Nondestructive Testing Technician
Turbomeca Manufacturing
04.2011 - 08.2013
Level II Nondestructive Testing Technician
Acuren
01.2010 - 12.2010
Journeyman NDI Technician
United States Air Force
03.2006 - 03.2008
Nondestructive Testing
U.S. Air Force Technical Training School