Senior Metrologist - Machining

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

Job summary

Vulcan Elements Inc. in North Carolina seeks a Senior Metrologist to lead the development and implementation of inspection methods for machined magnet components, ensuring that drawing, dimensional, and quality requirements are met.

You will translate product requirements into reliable measurement strategies and collaborate with machinists, engineers, and commercial teams. Based primarily at the Johnston Community College Advanced Manufacturing Center, with occasional work at the Durham

Qualifications

• Five+ years of experience inspecting precision-machined parts in manufacturing or regulated environments.
• Strong ability to interpret technical drawings and apply GD&T.
• Proficiency with precision measuring tools and CMM or optical inspection systems.
• Experience developing inspection plans and documented methods.
• Knowledge of calibration practices, measurement uncertainty, gauge R&R, and traceability.

Responsibilities

• Select and develop inspection methods using optical systems, CMMs, gauges, profilometers, and other equipment.
• Create measurement plans evaluating drawings, tolerances, surface characteristics, and critical features.
• Develop SOPs, work instructions, and maintain inspection records and traceability.
• Investigate defects with machinists and engineers; identify variation sources and verify corrective actions.
• Conduct measurement system analysis and gauge R&R where appropriate.
• Maintain equipment, calibration records, and traceability to standards.
• Apply SPC and inspection data to improve measurement consistency and processes.
• Train staff on inspection methods and safe handling of parts and gauges.

Skills

GD&T

CMM

Inspection planning

Statistical analysis

Calibration

Tools

CMM equipment

Optical systems

Job description

About the Role

The Senior Metrologist will lead the development and implementation of inspection methods for machined magnet components, ensuring that developmental machining processes meet drawing, dimensional, and quality requirements. You will work closely with machinists, engineers, and commercial teams to translate product requirements into reliable measurement strategies.

During the first two to six months, you will establish repeatable measurement methods, address post-processing metrology challenges, and generate clear part inspection reports. The ideal candidate combines hands‑on inspection expertise with a practical, problem‑solving approach suited to a fast‑paced R&D and manufacturing environment.

This role will initially be based primarily at the Johnston Community College Advanced Manufacturing Center, with occasional work at Vulcan Elements’ Durham Pilot/R&D facility. It will later transition to Vulcan’s manufacturing plant in Benson, North Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Select and develop inspection methods using optical systems, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), precision gauges, profilometers, and other dimensional inspection equipment.
• Create measurement plans that accurately evaluate drawing requirements, tolerances, surface characteristics, and critical part features.
• Develop SOPs and work instructions, and maintain inspection records and part traceability.
• Partner with machinists and engineers to investigate defects, identify sources of variation, and verify corrective actions.
• Conduct measurement system analysis, including gauge repeatability and reproducibility studies, where appropriate.
• Maintain inspection equipment, calibration records, and traceability to applicable standards.
• Use statistical process control and inspection data to improve measurement consistency and manufacturing processes.
• Train machinists and technicians on inspection methods and the safe handling of parts and gauges.

Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change asdeterminedby the needs of the business

Qualifications

• At least five years of experience inspecting precision‑machined parts in a manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, defense, or similarly regulated environment.
• Strong ability to interpret technical drawings and apply geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Proficiency with precision measuring tools and CMM or optical inspection systems.
• Experience developing inspection plans, measurement programs, and documented inspection methods.
• Working knowledge of calibration practices, measurement uncertainty, gauge R&R, and equipment traceability.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to distinguish measurement‑system variation from manufacturing‑process variation.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and maintain clear and accurate inspection records.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate across machining, engineering, quality, and commercial teams.

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

Physical and Environmental Requirements

The position requires regular presence on the production floor and the ability to navigate all areas of the facility. Candidates must be able to climb stairs, stand and walk for extended periods, and work in environments that may be hot, humid, or noisy. The role involves exposure to cut hazards and other physical risks associated with equipment, tools, and production processes. Employees must be able to recognize and avoid sharp edges, moving parts, and other potential sources of injury.
This position also requires the use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, and adherence to all applicable safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Employees must complete required fit testing, wear appropriate PPE for the duration of assigned tasks, and respond safely to changing conditions within the production environment.

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 hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential 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.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis 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.