Machining Operations Leader — Startup-Scale Build

Vulcan-Elements; Benson (NC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Elements is seeking a leader to build and run a new machining operation for rare-earth magnets. You will own equipment commissioning, process qualification from FAT through first article, and ramp to full production across nine lines.

You will design the organization, shift model, and technician career paths; establish safety culture, OEE and quality metrics, and manage the operating budget in steady state. Must have U.S. work eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years in precision machining or discrete manufacturing operations.
• 5+ years leading production teams in a 24/7 multi-shift environment.
• Deep knowledge of CNC machining and precision grinding (setup, tooling, fixturing, feeds & speeds).
• Strong command of GD&T, dimensional metrology, Cpk and SPC.
• Ownership of equipment commissioning and process qualification from installation to sign-off.
• Ownership of OEE and related metrics; capable of establishing measurements.
• Direct accountability for safety, including machine guarding and LOTO.
• Operating budget ownership; cost control of labor and consumables.

Responsibilities

• Own machining process startup end to end — from equipment specification review and FAT through installation, site acceptance, commissioning, process qualification and rate ramp.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Capital Execution and Automation & Digital Manufacturing on equipment selection, tooling and fixturing strategy, cell layout, and controls integration; serve as the operations acceptance authority for equipment turnover.
• Lead first-article inspection, process capability studies and Cpk qualification for each machining, grinding, coating and finishing operation before it is released to production.
• Partner with the Manufacturing Engineering team to establish coolant, handling, tooling and abrasive management systems from scratch, including the consumable strategy and vendor relationships behind them.
• Define the lot flow, WIP staging and buffer strategy through the area in partnership with Production Controls, and confirm it physically during construction rather than after turnover.
• Drive the ramp from first qualified part to full rate across nine production lines, sequencing capability build against the equipment delivery and line startup schedule.

Skills

CNC machining

Precision grinding

GD&T

Metrology

Process capability (Cpk)

Statistical process control

Equipment commissioning

OEE ownership

Safety leadership

Budget ownership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline

Job description

Vulcan Elements is seeking a leader to build and run a new machining operation for rare-earth magnets. You will own equipment commissioning, process qualification from FAT through first article, and ramp to full production across nine lines.

You will design the organization, shift model, and technician career paths; establish safety culture, OEE and quality metrics, and manage the operating budget in steady state. Must have U.S. work eligibility.