Staff Manufacturing Engineer

Vulcan Elements • Durham, NC

3d • Hybrid

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. 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. This role begins in Research Triangle Park, NC and is expected to move to Benson, NC upon completion of new facility.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 3+ 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.
• 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.
• Develop, review, or manage deliverables including Risk Assessments, Ergonomic Assessments, PFMEA, Line Layouts, Process Flow Charts, Bill of Process (BOP), Station Cycle Times, Process Sheets, Simulations, CAD Drawings, Electrical & Pneumatic Drawings, Electrical and Pneumatic Calculations, Quality Control Plans, R&R Studies, Quality Checklists, Process Checklists, Work Instructions (SOPs), Calibration Procedures, Spare Parts Lists, Bill of Materials (BOM), Maintenance Manuals, HMI Controls Manuals, Vision Programs, and MES Transactions Lists.

What This Job Offers

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