Materials Characterization Engineer

Vulcan Elements • Research Triangle Park, NC

15h

About The Position

Vulcan Elements is seeking a Materials Characterization Engineer to provide technical expertise in materials analysis supporting rare-earth permanent magnet research and development and production. This hands-on individual-contributor role leads complex investigations, integrates analytical findings into production and R&D plans, and develops reliable testing capabilities in partnership with laboratory and engineering teams. The position requires strict adherence to laboratory safety protocols and regulatory guidelines, including consistent use of appropriate PPE and safe handling of potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and processes. The employee must complete required training, maintain a clean and compliant work area, follow established safety rules, and promptly report unsafe conditions. Responsibilities and tasks are not exhaustive and may change according to business needs.

Requirements

• B.S. or higher in materials science, materials engineering, metallurgy, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• At least 3 years of relevant industry experience in materials characterization, metallurgical analysis, analytical chemistry, or materials and processes engineering.
• Ability to lead complex investigations, integrate evidence, and develop actionable engineering recommendations.
• Experience developing and validating test methods, evaluating measurement quality, and transferring methods into routine laboratory or production use.
• Strong understanding of composition, microstructure, processing, and property relationships, as well as the limitations of applicable test methods.
• Equipment troubleshooting and practical laboratory problem-solving skills, with experience following safe work and quality-system practices.
• Ability to provide technical mentorship, review others' work, and communicate defensible conclusions to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
• Ability to complete required training and consistently follow laboratory safety practices and PPE requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Deep hands-on expertise in metallurgy and microscopy or elemental analysis, with working knowledge of complementary methods for metallic materials.
• Experience with rare-earth alloys, permanent magnets, powder metallurgy, sintering, or air-sensitive metal powders.
• Proficiency spanning microscopy and analytical chemistry, including SEM/EDS, ICP-OES, LECO/ELTRA analyzers, XRD, powder characterization, or thermal analysis.
• Experience with heat treatment, plating, protective coatings, corrosion evaluation, or fracture analysis.
• Experience commissioning laboratory equipment, designing test fixtures, or improving laboratory workflows during manufacturing scale-up.
• Familiarity with ASTM methods, statistical experimental design, measurement systems analysis, and AS9100 or ISO/IEC 17025 quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Define characterization plans to answer engineering questions and support process development, quality investigations, and product qualification.
• Perform and guide characterization using applicable methods, including optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, ICP-OES, combustion and inert gas fusion analysis, particle sizing, powder rheometry, XRD, and DSC.
• Lead test-method development, validation, and transfer into routine testing, defining sample preparation requirements, performance criteria, and documentation.
• Establish calibration and quality-control practices; assess uncertainty, accuracy, and method limitations; and resolve questionable results.
• Review reports, validation studies, and procedures within delegated scope, and communicate defensible conclusions and recommendations.
• Develop practical improvements to fixtures, sample handling, and test setups, coordinating specialized repairs or controls work with qualified personnel.
• Promote safe chemical and powder handling, data integrity, and traceability; support audits, technical nonconformance investigations, and corrective actions.
• Follow laboratory safety protocols, use appropriate PPE, maintain a clean and compliant work area, and report unsafe conditions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level