Materials Characterization Engineer – Rare-Earth Magnets

Vulcan Elements Inc.; North Carolina; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Elements Inc. in North Carolina is seeking a Materials Characterization Engineer to lead advanced materials analysis for rare-earth permanent magnets in R&D and production.

You will design characterization plans, perform and guide measurements, and translate results into actionable engineering recommendations. Collaboration with lab and engineering teams will shape testing capabilities, process development, and quality investigations while promoting safe practices in a dynamic,

Qualifications

• B.S. or higher in materials science, materials engineering, metallurgy, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of relevant industry experience in materials characterization, metallurgical analysis, analytical chemistry, or materials and processes engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex investigations, integrate evidence, and develop actionable engineering recommendations.
• Experience developing and validating test methods, evaluating measurement quality, and transferring methods into routine laboratory or production use.
• Strong understanding of composition, microstructure, processing, and property relationships and the limitations of applicable test methods.
• Demonstrated equipment troubleshooting and practical laboratory problem-solving skills, with experience following safe work and quality-system practices.
• Ability to provide technical mentorship, review others' work, and communicate defensible conclusions to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define characterization plans that answer engineering questions and support process development, quality investigations, and product qualification.
• Perform and guide characterization within areas of expertise, using optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, ICP-OES, combustion and inert gas fusion analysis, particle sizing, powder rheometry, XRD, or DSC.
• Lead method development, validation, and transfer into routine testing, defining preparation requirements, performance criteria, and documentation.
• Establish calibration and quality-control practices; assess uncertainty, accuracy, and method limitations, and resolve questionable results.
• Review reports, validation studies, and procedures within delegated scope; communicate defensible conclusions and recommendations.
• Develop practical improvements to fixtures, sample handling, and test setups, coordinating specialized repairs or controls work with qualified personnel.
• Promote safe chemical and powder handling, data integrity, and traceability; support audits, technical nonconformance investigations, and corrective actions.

Skills

Materials characterization

Metallurgical analysis

Analytical chemistry

Troubleshooting

Mentorship

Education

B.S. in materials science or related

Tools

SEM/EDS

ICP-OES

XRD

DSC

LECO/ELTRA analyzers

Job description

Vulcan Elements Inc. in North Carolina is seeking a Materials Characterization Engineer to lead advanced materials analysis for rare-earth permanent magnets in R&D and production.

You will design characterization plans, perform and guide measurements, and translate results into actionable engineering recommendations. Collaboration with lab and engineering teams will shape testing capabilities, process development, and quality investigations while promoting safe practices in a dynamic,