Machining Operations Lead: Precision & Safety

Vulcan Elements Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Elements Inc. is seeking a Machining Site Lead to oversee day-to-day precision machining operations and lead a team of machinists and operators. You will ensure safe, on-spec magnet shapes are produced from sintered rare-earth materials using wire saws, grinders, CNC, and EDM.

This hands-on role requires coordinating with coating and customer-facing teams to meet cost and lead-time goals. The ideal candidate combines hands-on machining experience with disciplined operations management and

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 one or more of the following: wire saws, linear/surface or 5-axis grinding, wire or sinker EDM; machining hard, brittle materials.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day machining operations to safely produce magnet shapes from sintered rare-earth material using wire saws, grinders, CNC, and EDM.
• Manage a team of machinists and operators; coordinate with customer-facing and coating teams for cost and lead-time estimates.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment; ensure quality and schedule objectives.
• Create and refine processing parameters for various materials; perform first article and inspections.
• Collaborate with engineers to plan scheduling and processing; manage inventory of spare parts and consumables.
• Establish SOPs for workholding and equipment operation; allocate personnel and equipment for production and development campaigns.

Skills

CAD/CAM software

G-code / M-code

GD&T

Blueprint reading

Team leadership

Safety compliance

Quality inspection tools

Project scheduling

SOP development

Cost/lead time estimation

Machining processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or equivalent hands-on experience

Tools

CMM

Job description

Vulcan Elements Inc. is seeking a Machining Site Lead to oversee day-to-day precision machining operations and lead a team of machinists and operators. You will ensure safe, on-spec magnet shapes are produced from sintered rare-earth materials using wire saws, grinders, CNC, and EDM.

This hands-on role requires coordinating with coating and customer-facing teams to meet cost and lead-time goals. The ideal candidate combines hands-on machining experience with disciplined operations management and