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R&D Technician - Metals

VULCAN ELEMENTS

VULCAN ELEMENTS

Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
Posted on Jan 16, 2026

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.

As a R&D Technician - Metals, you will accomplish a broad set of tasks in a research and development environment. You will operate equipment, optimize processes alongside engineering, prepare materials, load & unloaded materials, and maintain a safe, orderly working environment. You will work alongside a team of materials & process engineers, magnetics engineers, and technicians to accomplish company milestones.

Description

  • Contribute to the buildout of Vulcan’s pilot and R&D line, including equipment installation, commissioning, and continuous equipment and facility improvements
  • Operate vacuum furnaces, induction melting systems, and electrolysis cells to produce molten and solid metals.
  • Prepare raw materials, charge systems, and consumables according to process instructions.
  • Execute startup, steady-state operation, shutdown, and cleaning procedures.
  • Monitor critical process parameters (temperature, voltage, current, pressure, time, chemistry) to ensure operation remains within specification.
  • Respond to alarms, deviations, and abnormal operating conditions in accordance with procedures.
  • Develop, build, and implement new prototype equipment, tooling, and processes alongside engineering, including electromechanical, chemical, and/or analytical/test equipment.
  • Establish standard operating procedures alongside engineering.

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

Qualifications

  • High School Diploma or GED at a minimum
  • Strong communication and planning skills
  • Able to lift and carry 50 lbs.
  • Comfortable with hands on work requiring extended physical activity and standing
  • Comfortable operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining sophisticated manufacturing equipment.
  • Comfortable reading equipment schematics, both electrical and plumbing, to troubleshoot mechanical issues

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

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience running vacuum furnaces, casting machines, atomizers, or other related metal manufacturing equipment
  • Experience with Welding, Plumbing, or CAD
  • Experience with hot metal