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Staff Manufacturing Engineer

Vulcan Elements · Research Triangle Park, NC

Level
Senior
Team
Manufacturing
Degree
Required
Experience asked
7+ years
Industry
Metals
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior manufacturing role at Vulcan Elements (metals) in Research Triangle Park, NC. 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.

They ask for
7+ years · degree required
Tools it names
OEE, FMEA, Control plans, Casting, Time studies, MES

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

How this role compares

Against 23 other live manufacturing postings in North Carolina.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $97k–$143k, from 10 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (7+ vs 2+)

Similar roles usually ask 2+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • Tooling 54%
  • Lean 46%
  • Root cause 46%
  • Automation 42%
  • New product launch 33%
  • Team leadership 33%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for OEE, Casting, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 7+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing 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. 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. 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 the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
    • How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 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. 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.

All 10 roles at Vulcan Elements →
Full description from Vulcan ElementsAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

  • ◆Lead the evaluation, quote comparison, and selection of advanced manufacturing technologies and vendors. You will own the technical and 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 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.
  • ◆This position will require some interaction and travel to support equipment development reviews and Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) as needed (estimated at

You will also be responsible for developing, reviewing, or managing the following deliverables:

  • ◆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 as determined by the needs of the business.

Qualifications

  • ✓Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 7+ years of experience or a Master’s degree with 5+ 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.

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.
  • ✓Proficiency with 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.

Show full description ↓

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 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.

Core Expectations &

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