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 Staff Manufacturing Engineer, you will contribute to the full lifecycle of a massive1million square foot manufacturing facilityexpansionfrom design and equipment specification through installation, commissioning, production startup, and scale-up to full capacity. You willbe responsible fora process step, translating pilot-line processes into full-scale, stable, and repeatable production systems. This is a high-impact, high-ownership role requiring deep technicalexpertiseand leadership.
Core Expectations & Responsibilities
- Lead the evaluation, quote comparison, and selection of advanced manufacturing technologies and vendors. You willown the technicaland financial side-by-side comparisons to ensure selected machinery meets our aggressive scaling and quality goals.
- 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 andoptimizemanufacturing 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 andeliminateearly 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.
- This position will require some interaction and travel to support equipment development reviews and Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) as needed (estimated at <25% travel).
You will alsobe responsible fordeveloping, reviewing, or managing the followingdeliverables:
- Risk Assessments, Ergonomic Assessments, PFMEA.
- Line Layouts, Process Flow Charts, Bill of Process (BOP), Station Cycle Times, Process Sheets, and Simulations.
- CAD Drawings, Electrical & Pneumatic Drawings, and performing necessary Electrical and Pneumatic Calculations.
- Quality Control Plans, R&R (Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility) Studies, Quality Checklists, and Process Checklists.
- Work Instructions (SOPs), Calibration Procedures, Spare Parts Lists, Bill of Materials (BOM), and Maintenance Manuals.
- HMI Controls Manuals, Vision Programs, MES Transactions Lists.
Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change asdeterminedby the needs of the business.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related technical discipline with7+ years of experienceoraMaster'sdegree with5+ years of experience.
- Strong, hands-on experience creating,modifying, andvalidatingcomplex equipment assemblies in CAD.
- A proventrack recordin 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.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience specifically in heavy industrial manufacturing, metallurgy, foundry operations, or chemical processing.
- Experience handling reactive powders or managing high-temperature vacuum furnace environments.
- Proficiencywith advanced simulation software for workflow and line balancing.
- Familiarity with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) implementation and transaction mapping.
Physical and Environmental Requirements
The position requires regular presence on the production floor and the ability to navigate all areas of the facility. Candidates must be able to climb stairs, stand and walk for extended periods, and work in environments that may be hot, humid, or noisy. The role also requires the use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, and adherence to all applicable safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Employees must be able to complete required fit testing, wear appropriate PPE for the duration of assigned tasks, and respond safely to changing conditions within the production environment.
#LI-CM1
