Metrology Lead

Vulcan Elements; North Carolina; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Elements is constructing a dedicated Metrology Lead role to develop and manage measurement systems ensuring product quality from development through high-volume manufacturing. You will own the metrology strategy, partnering with Analytical Laboratory, R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to meet critical CTQ metrics.

The ideal candidate will drive measurement method development, calibration management, and SPC implementations across Pilot and Benson facilities, while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (Chemistry/Engineering/Materials Science/Physics).
• 7+ years in manufacturing quality, metrology, or measurement systems; advanced degrees exempted from some requirements.
• Strong analytical method development experience; proficiency with MSA and SPC.

Responsibilities

• Lead metrology strategy and measurement system development from Pilot to Benson manufacturing.
• Own Gauge R&R, bias, linearity, stability studies and measurement uncertainty estimation.
• Develop inspection methods, sampling plans, and CTQ characteristic definitions.
• Support ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 aligned practices; participate in audits and continuous improvement.
• Standardize measurement methods across facilities and lead transfer of qualified methods between sites.

Skills

Metrology

Quality systems

Statistical analysis

MSA

Process capability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Materials Science/Physics/Chemistry

Tools

Calibration equipment

Gage R&R methods

SPC software

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.

Initially supporting Pilot operations in Durham, then transitioning and moving to Benson (early 2027), the Metrology Lead is responsible for developing and managing the company's measurement systems to ensure product quality from development through high-volume manufacturing. This role serves as the owner for metrology strategy, partnering closely with the Analytical Laboratory, R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain.

The role focuses on ensuring that critical product and process characteristics outlined in the Control Plan can be measured accurately, repeatably, and efficiently throughout the product lifecycle. This includes defining measurement requirements, selecting and qualifying metrology equipment, developing inspection methods, performing Measurement System Analysis (MSA), implementing Statistical Process Control (SPC), and transferring qualified measurement systems from Pilot to Benson manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Measurement Strategy

• Assess current metrology capabilities against product, process, and customer requirements.
• Develop the company's metrology roadmap to support Pilot operations and future high-volume manufacturing.
• Define measurement requirements for Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) characteristics identified through PFMEAs and Control Plans.
• Define measurement methods and sampling plans within Control Plans.
• Ensure measurement capability supports process capability objectives and production readiness.

Measurement Systems Analysis

• Lead selection, specification, procurement, installation, and qualification of metrology equipment.
• Develop equipment qualification protocols and acceptance criteria.
• Develop and validate inspection and measurement methods in collaboration with the Analytical Laboratory.
• Help to perform Gauge R&R, bias, linearity and stability studies.
• Establish measurement uncertainty where appropriate.
• Ensure appropriate calibration, preventive maintenance, and lifecycle management of quality inspection equipment.

Statistical Quality

• Support the development and implementation of SPC strategies for operation.
• Support process capability studies (Cp, Cpk).
• Analyze quality data and identify opportunities for process improvement.

Method Development & Transfer

• Standardize measurement methods across facilities.
• Lead installation, and qualification of metrology equipment in Benson facility.
• Lead transfer of qualified inspection methods from Pilot to Benson.
• Create SOPs, work instructions, and training materials.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Support ISO 9001 implementation and measurement-related processes.
• Develop laboratory and metrology practices consistent with ISO/IEC 17025 principles where applicable.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.

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

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing quality, metrology, or measurement systems, with reduced experience requirements for candidates holding advanced degrees (M.S. or Ph.D.)
• Strong experience in analytical method development.
• Strong experience with MSA and SPC.
• Experience selecting and qualifying metrology equipment.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and measurement system requirements.
• Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory principles.
• Experience supporting new product introduction and manufacturing scale-up.
• Excellent statistical analysis and problem-solving skills.

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

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

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.

As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

• A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
• A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
• An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
• An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp .

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

Because we are a federal contractor or subcontractor and must provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We must measure our progress towards ensuring at least 7% representation of people with disabilities in our workforce. We ask applicants whether they have or have had a disability to comply with OFCCP regulations.

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