Machining Manager

Vulcan Elements Inc.; Benson (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Elements Inc. seeks a Machining Manager to lead day-to-day magnet finishing and precision machining operations for sintered rare-earth materials.

You will supervise machinists, coordinate CNC processes, and partner with engineering and coating teams to ensure quality, cost, and on-time delivery. The ideal candidate blends hands-on machining with disciplined operations management and a strong safety mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Hands-on experience operating precision machining or grinding operations.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with CAD and CAM software.
• Familiarity with G and M code
• Familiarity with analog and digital inspection and measurement tools.
• Read and generate technical drawings.
• Demonstrated experience managing precision machining or grinding operations, including supervising a team.
• Strong understanding of operational safety in machining environments, including dust, coolant, and electrically energized systems (EDM).
• Working knowledge of GD&T, blueprint reading, and dimensional metrology (micrometers, CMM, surface-finish measurement).
• Experience developing or maintaining SOPs and operational documentation.
• Direct experience with wire saws, 5-axis grinding, or EDM.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and operate a variety of CNC equipment including wire EDM, grinders, mills, lathes, wire saws, lasers.
• Lead, train, and manage a team of machinists and operators conducting magnet finishing; plan production runs.
• Process test samples and parts to internal and external specifications.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized working environment.
• Create, document, and refine processing parameters for a variety of materials.
• Perform first article inspections on processed parts.
• Design and implement workholding solutions.
• Collaborate with engineers to establish scheduling and processing plans.
• Maintain spare parts and consumables inventory.
• Establish SOPs for workholding and equipment operation.
• Allocate personnel, equipment, and materials to support production and development campaigns.
• Enforce safety procedures and PPE requirements.

Job 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.

The Machining Manageris responsible forleading day-to-day machining operations tosafely and reliably produce finished, on-specification magnet shapesfrom sintered rare-earth material using wire saws, linear and 5-axis grinders,CNC,and EDM. This roleis expected to behands-on, andalsomanage a team of machinists and operators and works closely with the customer-facing and coating teams to ensure consistent execution,accuratecost and lead-time estimation, and a strong safety culture.

The ideal candidate combines hands-on precision-machining and grinding experience with disciplined operations management and a deep respect for the hazards inherent to machining hard, brittle magnet material.This role begins at Johnston Community College, Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Four Oaks, NC and is expected to move to Benson NC upon completion of a new facility. Some travel to the development site in Durham, NC is expected.

Responsibilities

• Maintain andoperatea variety of CNC equipment including wire EDM, grinders, mills, lathes, wire saws, lasers
• Lead, train, and manage a team of machinists and operators conducting magnet finishing. Plan and execute production runs across wire saws, linear grinders, 5-axis grinders, and EDM to meet quality, throughput, and scheduleobjectives.
• Process a variety of test samples and parts to internal and externalspecifications
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized working environment
• Create, document, and refine processing parameters for a variety of materials
• Perform first article andtest inspections on processed parts
• Design and implement customWorkholdingsolutions
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians toestablishscheduling and processing plans
• Maintain a spare parts and consumables inventory
• Establish SOPs forWorkholdingand equipment operation
• Allocate personnel, equipment, and materials to support both production anddevelopmentcampaigns.
• Enforce safety procedures, PPE requirements, and lockout/tagout practices.

Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change asdeterminedby the needs of the business

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Hands-on experience operating precision machining or grinding operations.
• Minimum3 yearsofexperience with CADandCAMsoftware’s
• Familiarity with G and M code
• Familiarity with analog and digital inspection and measurement tools
• Read and generate technical drawings
• Demonstrated experience managing precision machining or grinding operations, including supervising a team.
• Strong understanding of operational safety in machining environments, including dust, coolant, and electrically energized systems (EDM).
• Working knowledge of GD&T, blueprint reading, and dimensional metrology (micrometers, CMM, surface-finish measurement).
• Experience developing or maintaining SOPs and operational documentation.
• Direct experience with one or more of the following:
• Wire saws or precision sawing
• Linear/surface or 5-axis grinding
• Wire or sinker EDM Preferred
• Experience machining or grinding hard, brittle materials — rare-earth magnets, ceramics, carbide, or similar sintered materials.

Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experiencecreating customgcodepost processors
• Experience withmultiaxisgrinding
• Experience with laser cutters, waterjets,wireand sinker EDMs, and diamond wire saws
• Experience with die and toolmaking
• Experience with automated part loading
• Experience estimating cost and lead time for quoting new and repeat work.

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,standand walk for extended periods, and work in environments that may be hot, humid, or noisy. The role involves exposure to cut hazards and other physical risks associated with equipment, tools, and production processes. Employees must be able to recognize and avoid sharp edges, moving parts, and other potential sources of injury.

This position also requires the use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, and adherence to all applicable safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Employees must complete required fit testing, wearappropriate PPEfor the duration of assigned tasks, and respond safely to changing conditions within the production environment.