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Vulcan Elements manufactures American rare-earth permanent magnets for defense, aerospace, and automotive applications. As Mechanical Systems Engineer, you will serve as the technical owner for HVAC, ventilation, compressed air, plumbing, and fire protection systems at the Benson, NC production facility.
You will support the full lifecycle of mechanical utility systems: design, specification, installation, commissioning, and ongoing operation. Key responsibilities include developing and reviewing system layouts, equipment requirements, and distribution networks; coordinating with process equipment suppliers, engineering partners, and contractors; reviewing P&IDs, mechanical drawings, and vendor documentation; performing equipment sizing and capacity evaluations; providing field engineering support during construction and startup; troubleshooting system performance and reliability issues; and identifying improvements to safety, efficiency, and maintainability.
Additional responsibilities include developing system documentation and operating standards, supporting capital projects affecting mechanical systems, tracking asset utilization and KPIs to ensure uninterrupted production support, and managing operational costs including utility consumption and lifecycle expenses while identifying opportunities to reduce total cost of ownership.
The role is expected to be onsite at the Benson facility as construction and operations progress. You will work in production environments that may be hot, humid, or noisy, requiring regular floor presence, ability to climb stairs, extended standing and walking, and use of personal protective equipment including respirators.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related engineering discipline
- Experience with mechanical utility, HVAC, ventilation, compressed air, or plumbing systems in industrial or manufacturing environment
- Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, specifications, and equipment documentation
- Working knowledge of fluid flow, pressure systems, ventilation, and mechanical equipment
- Ability to work onsite and support construction, commissioning, startup, and operational activities
- Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities
**Desired Qualifications:**
- Experience with industrial HVAC and ventilation systems (air handling, exhaust, make-up air, environmental control)
- Experience with compressed air systems (compressors, dryers, receivers, filtration, distribution)
- Experience with plumbing systems (potable water, sanitary waste/vent, piping, valves, fixtures)
- Experience with fire protection systems (sprinkler, suppression, fire water, pumping systems)
- Experience supporting greenfield manufacturing facility construction or major utility system installations
- Experience with system commissioning (pressure testing, leak testing, TAB, functional testing, performance verification)
- Familiarity with applicable mechanical, fire, building, and industrial gas codes and standards
- Experience troubleshooting airflow, pressure, capacity, controls, and system reliability
- Experience reviewing P&IDs, equipment layouts, ductwork/piping drawings, vendor submittals, control narratives
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional coordination skills
- Experience with AutoCAD, Bluebeam
- PE, EIT, or other relevant professional certification
