Machining Manager

About the role

Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets for a secure, resilient future, serving critical industries such as defense, aerospace, and automotive. The Machining Manager will lead day-to-day machining operations to safely and reliably produce finished, on-specification magnet shapes from sintered rare-earth material using wire saws, linear and 5-axis grinders, CNC, and EDM. This hands-on role involves managing a team of machinists and operators while collaborating with customer-facing and coating teams to ensure consistent execution, accurate cost and lead-time estimation, and a strong safety culture. The position begins at Johnston Community College, Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Four Oaks, NC, and is expected to move to Benson, NC, upon completion of a new facility. Some travel to the development site in Durham, NC, is expected.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and operate a variety of CNC equipment including wire EDM, grinders, mills, lathes, wire saws, and lasers.
• Lead, train, and manage a team of machinists and operators conducting magnet finishing.
• Plan and execute production runs across wire saws, linear grinders, 5-axis grinders, and EDM to meet quality, throughput, and schedule objectives.
• Process a variety of test samples and parts to internal and external specifications.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized working environment.
• Create, document, and refine processing parameters for a variety of materials.
• Perform first article and test inspections on processed parts.
• Design and implement custom workholding solutions.
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians to establish scheduling and processing plans.
• Maintain a spare parts and consumables inventory.
• Establish SOPs for workholding and equipment operation.
• Allocate personnel, equipment, and materials to support both production and development campaigns.
• Enforce safety procedures, PPE requirements, and lockout/tagout practices.

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

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Hands-on experience operating precision machining or grinding operations.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with CAD and CAM software.
• Familiarity with G and M code.
• Familiarity with analog and digital inspection and measurement tools.
• Ability to read and generate technical drawings.
• Demonstrated experience managing precision machining or grinding operations, including supervising a team.
• Strong understanding of operational safety in machining environments, including dust, coolant, and electrically energized systems (EDM).
• Working knowledge of GD&T, blueprint reading, and dimensional metrology (micrometers, CMM, surface-finish measurement).
• Experience developing or maintaining SOPs and operational documentation.
• Direct experience with one or more of the following: wire saws or precision sawing, linear/surface or 5-axis grinding, wire or sinker EDM.
• Experience machining or grinding hard, brittle materials — rare-earth magnets, ceramics, carbide, or similar sintered materials (preferred).
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience creating custom gcode post processors.
• Experience with multiaxis grinding.
• Experience with laser cutters, waterjets, wire and sinker EDMs, and diamond wire saws.
• Experience with die and toolmaking.
• Experience with automated part loading.
• Experience estimating cost and lead time for quoting new and repeat work.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Regular presence on the production floor and ability to navigate all areas of the facility.
• Ability to climb stairs, stand, and walk for extended periods.
• Work in environments that may be hot, humid, or noisy.
• Exposure to cut hazards and other physical risks associated with equipment, tools, and production processes.
• Ability to recognize and avoid sharp edges, moving parts, and other potential sources of injury.
• Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, and adherence to all applicable safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Completion of required fit testing and ability to wear appropriate PPE for the duration of assigned tasks.
• Ability to respond safely to changing conditions within the production environment.