Manufacturing Engineer – Machining & Automation

Vulcan Elements Inc.; North Carolina; On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Elements Inc. in North Carolina is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer specializing in machining and automation. This role involves managing the entire lifecycle of a significant manufacturing facility expansion, from design to production startup.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering and relevant experience. Responsibilities include optimizing processes, selecting technologies, and ensuring compliance with safety standards while working in a high-impact environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in a relevant engineering role.
• Hands-on experience with complex equipment assemblies.
• Ability to read and create electrical and pneumatic diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Lead equipment and vendor selection for manufacturing technologies.
• Own end-to-end process from design to production startup.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

Skills

CAD Proficiency

Technical Literacy

Process Optimization

Project Management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Automation Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD software

Automation systems

MES systems

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer – Machining & Automation

Location: Research Triangle Park, NC

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 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 & Responsibilities

• Critical Priority – Equipment & Vendor Selection: Lead the evaluation, quote comparison, and selection of advanced manufacturing technologies and vendors. Own the technical and financial side‑by-side comparisons to ensure selected machinery meets our aggressive scaling and quality goals.
• End‑to‑End Process Ownership: Own equipment design/requirements, vendor performance and schedule, commissioning activities, process development, and production qualification for a major automated production process (machining, grinding, coating, testing, and packaging).
• Process Optimization: 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.
• Project Management: Manage technical schedules, budgets, and deliverables aligned with company milestones and customer commitments.
• Hands‑on Startup Support: Provide hands‑on support during production startup, helping stabilize processes and eliminate early bottlenecks.
• Future Innovation: 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.
• EHS & Quality Compliance: Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards across all process activities.
• Travel: This position will require some interaction and travel to support equipment development reviews and Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) as needed (estimated at <10% travel).

Key Deliverables

• Process Design: Line layouts, process flow charts, Bill of Process (BOP), station cycle times, process sheets, and simulations.
• Engineering Diagrams: CAD drawings, electrical & pneumatic drawings, and performing necessary electrical and pneumatic calculations.
• Quality & Control: Quality control plans, R&R (Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility) studies, quality checklists, and process checklists.
• Operations & Maintenance: Work instructions (SOPs), calibration procedures, spare parts lists, bill of materials (BOM), and maintenance manuals.
• Controls & IT: HMI controls manuals, vision programs, MES transaction lists.

Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s or Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 3+ years of experience.
• CAD Proficiency: Strong, hands‑on experience creating, modifying, and validating complex equipment assemblies and custom automation layouts in CAD.
• Advanced Automation & Systems: Direct, hands‑on experience specifying, integrating, or operating heavy automation, robotics, AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), advanced vision systems, and industrial laser systems.
• Documentation Mastery: Expert‑level experience authoring and developing standard manufacturing documents (PFMEA, Control Plans, Work Instructions, and Process Flows).
• Technical Literacy: 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 precision CNC machining, high‑volume grinding, or industrial surface coating applications.
• Hands‑on experience with machine vision programming (e.g., Cognex, Keyence).
• Proficiency with advanced simulation software for automated workflow and line balancing.
• Familiarity with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) implementation and automated transaction mapping.

As set forth in Vulcan Elements’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

This position requires access to information and technology that is subject to U.S. Export Control. Vulcan Elements will use this information to determine if you are eligible to receive this information under U.S. law.