Manufacturing Engineer – Machining & Automation

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.

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).

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.