Manufacturing Engineer

Vulcan Elements•Research Triangle Park, NC

9h•Onsite

About The Position

Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets for a secure, resilient future, serving critical industries such as defense, aerospace, and automotive. The company is building a team of ambitious professionals committed to Mission Focus, Technical Excellence, and Transparency. As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will contribute to the full lifecycle of a massive 1 million square foot manufacturing facility expansion—from design and equipment specification through installation, commissioning, production startup, and scale-up to full capacity. You will be responsible for a process step, translating pilot-line processes into full-scale, stable, and repeatable production systems. This is a high-impact, high-ownership role requiring deep technical expertise and leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 7+ years of experience or a Master’s degree with 5 to 7 years of experience.
Strong, hands-on experience creating, modifying, and validating complex equipment assemblies in CAD.
A proven track record in heavy custom equipment design, vendor management, and full-cycle commissioning for thermal or raw material processing.
Expert-level experience authoring and developing standard manufacturing documents (PFMEA, Control Plans, Work Instructions, and Process Flows).
Ability to read, interpret, and create electrical schematics and pneumatic diagrams, including performing core engineering calculations (electrical/pneumatic).
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience specifically in heavy industrial manufacturing, metallurgy, foundry operations, or chemical processing.
Experience handling reactive powders or managing high-temperature vacuum furnace environments.
Proficiency with advanced simulation software for workflow and line balancing.
Familiarity with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) implementation and transaction mapping.

Responsibilities

Lead the evaluation, quote comparison, and selection of advanced manufacturing technologies and vendors, owning the technical and financial side-by-side comparisons.
Own equipment design/requirements, vendor performance and schedule, commissioning activities, process development, and production qualification for a major heavy production process (alloy production, casting, jet milling, powder production, pressing, and sintering operations).
Develop and optimize manufacturing processes to improve throughput, quality, and equipment reliability.
Monitor OEE results and station cycle times to drive yield and capacity improvements.
Manage technical schedules, budgets, and deliverables aligned with company milestones and customer commitments.
Provide hands-on support during production startup, helping stabilize processes and eliminate early bottlenecks.
Develop and innovate new processes and equipment strategies (collaborating with R&D) to implement in future production lines, pushing Vulcan to achieve best-in-class magnet manufacturing.
Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards across all process activities.
Travel to support equipment development reviews and Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) as needed (estimated at <25% travel).
Developing, reviewing, or managing Risk Assessments, Ergonomic Assessments, PFMEA.
Developing, reviewing, or managing Line Layouts, Process Flow Charts, Bill of Process (BOP), Station Cycle Times, Process Sheets, and Simulations.
Developing, reviewing, or managing CAD Drawings, Electrical & Pneumatic Drawings, and performing necessary Electrical and Pneumatic Calculations.
Developing, reviewing, or managing Quality Control Plans, R&R (Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility) Studies, Quality Checklists, and Process Checklists.
Developing, reviewing, or managing Work Instructions (SOPs), Calibration Procedures, Spare Parts Lists, Bill of Materials (BOM), and Maintenance Manuals.
Developing, reviewing, or managing HMI Controls Manuals, Vision Programs, MES Transactions Lists.