Senior Industrial Engineer
Vulcan Elements · Research Triangle Park, NC
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Industrial
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior industrial role at Vulcan Elements (metals) in Research Triangle Park, NC. You will contribute to the full lifecycle of a massive 1.1 million square foot manufacturing facility expansion—focusing on the master layout, capacity planning, and total factory flow.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Green Belt, Kaizen, 5S
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 142 other live industrial postings in the US.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $86k–$126k, from 51 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 66%
- ✓ Time studies 55%
- New product launch 36%
- ✓ Six Sigma 31%
- ✓ Plant layout 29%
- ✓ AutoCAD 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Black Belt, Green Belt, 5S, IATF 16949, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Industrial team at Vulcan Elements
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is it more layout and capacity work, or time studies and standard work?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Vulcan Elements in Research Triangle Park
9 other open roles at this site.
- Controls Technician · Controls · Technician
- Product Quality Engineer · Quality
- Staff Process Engineer · Process · Senior
- Controls Engineer · Controls
- Sr. Controls Engineer · Controls · Senior
- Sr. Quality Engineer · Quality · Senior
Full description from Vulcan ElementsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Own the complete facility layout and space allocation across the 1.1M sqft footprint. Optimize the placement of production lines, raw material storage, shipping/receiving, and support infrastructure for optimal workflow.
- ◆Conduct deep-dive capacity analyses and equipment cycle time studies to identify bottlenecks, calculate overall factory throughput, and ensure the site meets its aggressive scaling targets.
- ◆Design the overall Plan for Every Part (PFEP) and internal material logistics. Run discrete-event simulations to model material movement, AGV traffic, forklift operations, and operator walk paths across the factory.
- ◆Create and maintain Yamazumi charts (operator workload balancing), line balance tables, and value stream maps to eliminate non-value-added time and optimize human-machine interactions.
- ◆Develop data-driven headcount models for various production volumes, calculating both direct labor and indirect support staff
requirements
as the plant scales.
- ✓Act as the central industrial engineering hub for the company—partnering directly with Process, Equipment, Quality, and Operations teams to understand and incorporate their specific spatial and utility needs into the master plan.
- ✓Lay the groundwork for 5S, visual management, and continuous improvement (Kaizen) frameworks before mass production begins.
You will also be responsible for developing, reviewing, or managing the following deliverables:
- ✓Line Layouts (AutoCAD/FactoryCAD), Bill of Process (BOP), Station Cycle Times, Yamazumi Charts, and Material Flow Simulations.
- ✓Ergonomic Assessments, Egress/Aisle Safety planning, and workflow PFMEA inputs.
- ✓Input on standard work combinations, quality check visual management, and station checklists.
- ✓Staffing plans, work measurement standards, operator standard work instructions, and space allocation matrices.
Responsibilities
and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 5+ years of experience OR a Master’s degree with 3+ years of experience.
- ✓Proven, hands-on experience actively setting up a new, large-scale manufacturing facility from the ground up from an Industrial Engineering standpoint. Must be able to share high-level examples of successful scaling projects.
- ✓Expert capability in developing Yamazumi charts, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), line balancing, and calculating takt times vs. cycle times.
- ✓Direct experience using advanced discrete-event simulation software (e.g., FlexSim, Arena, Simio) to model complex factory flows, alongside proficiency in AutoCAD for massive spatial layouts.
- ✓Strong background using statistical analysis to calculate machine standard minutes, operator efficiency, and equipment utilization rates.
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Experience specifically in massive-scale facilities, heavy industrial manufacturing, or automotive/aerospace gigafactories.
- ✓Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, or heavy lean manufacturing training.
- ✓Familiarity with racking systems, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), and specialized chemical or hazardous material storage regulations.
- ✓Experience in highly regulated industries such as Defense (DoD), Aerospace (AS9100), or Automotive (IATF 16949).
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.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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 Senior Industrial Engineer, you will contribute to the full lifecycle of a massive 1.1 million square foot manufacturing facility expansion—focusing on the master layout, capacity planning, and total factory flow. You will be the primary thread connecting all departments, understanding their technical needs to optimize the physical and operational footprint. This is a high-impact, high-ownership role requiring deep analytical expertise and a proven history of setting up greenfield factories.
