Operations Specialist

Vulcan Elements•Durham, NC

About The Position

Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets for a secure, resilient future. With a focus on national security and economic resiliency, we serve critical industries such as defense, aerospace, and automotive powering a high-technology future. Vulcan Elements is building a team of ambitious professionals committed to Mission Focus, Technical Excellence and Transparency. The Operations Specialist (Metals) is a senior, hands-on operational role responsible for leading shift execution of high-temperature metallurgical processes within Vulcan’s operations. This role acts as the shift leader, coordinating Metal Operators, ensuring disciplined execution of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and maintaining safe, stable, and efficient operations, with safety as the top priority always. In the initial phase, the Operations Specialist is the primary responsible person on shift, supporting commissioning, startup, and early-stage operations, while serving as the escalation point for operational decision-making. This position reports directly to the Metal Operations Manager.

Requirements

Proven experience in industrial or metallurgical operations, preferably in high-temperature or molten metal environments.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams or act as a shift supervisor in an operational setting.
Strong understanding of operational safety in hot metal, gas handling, and electrically energized systems.
Ability to interpret and enforce SOPs, checklists, and operational standards.
Experience with troubleshooting process and equipment issues in real time.
Willingness and ability to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends.
Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs and perform physically demanding work in industrial environments.
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience in pilot plants, demonstration facilities, or early-stage industrial operations.
Experience operating vacuum furnaces, casting machines, atomizers, or similar metal manufacturing equipment.
Familiarity with electrolysis, molten salt processes, or vacuum/thermal systems.
Experience with PLC/HMI systems and process monitoring.
Knowledge of foundry operations, or pyrometallurgy.
Forklift and lifting/rigging equipment operation (certification preferred).
Experience with welding, plumbing, or CAD.
Strong hands-on experience in training operators and developing operational procedures.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate shift activities, acting as the primary responsible person for safe and efficient operations.
Prepare equipment and work areas prior to startup, including cleaning, inspection, and execution of field checklists.
Execute controlled startup, steady-state operation, shutdown, and cleaning procedures.
Collect in-process samples and ensure proper handling and documentation.
Perform metal tapping and molten metal handling activities in accordance with defined procedures.
Maintain housekeeping and orderly working conditions in operational areas.
Complete operational logs, checklists, and production records accurately.
Communicate process status and escalate anomalies to supervisors.
Direct and support Metal Operators in daily execution of startup, steady-state operation, casting, sampling, and shutdown activities.
Ensure strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), checklists, and safety protocols.
Monitor process performance via PLC/HMI systems and ensure timely response to alarms, deviations, and abnormal conditions.
Serve as the first escalation point for operational issues, troubleshooting process, equipment, and safety-related events.
Verify operational readiness of equipment, utilities, and safety systems prior to process execution.
Communicate shift status, priorities, and issues clearly to the Metal Operations Manager and cross-functional teams.
Support commissioning, startup, and ramp-up activities, contributing to continuous improvement of procedures and practices.
Promote a strong safety culture, ensuring hazards are identified, communicated, and mitigated proactively.