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Vulcan Elements manufactures American rare-earth permanent magnets for defense, aerospace, and automotive applications, with a focus on national security and economic resilience. The Quality Specialist will support the pilot magnet manufacturing facility and development programs by establishing practical quality controls, creating and maintaining standard operating procedures, performing process and product quality assessments, and supporting the inspection, testing, documentation, and release of development samples.
Key Responsibilities:
Quality Systems & SOPs: Create, revise, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, inspection methods, forms, and quality records for pilot magnet manufacturing and development activities. Work with R&D, Operations, Engineering, and the Analytical Lab to translate process requirements, drawings, specifications, and development plans into practical quality controls and acceptance criteria. Support document control, training documentation, batch records/travelers, lot traceability, and other records required to demonstrate that work was performed to the approved method. Help establish and continuously improve fit-for-purpose quality practices for a fast-moving pilot and development environment while maintaining disciplined documentation and traceability.
Pilot Manufacturing Quality Support: Serve as an on-the-floor quality specialist supporting pilot manufacturing runs, development trials, and sample builds. Perform routine process and product quality assessments to verify adherence to approved SOPs, work instructions, sampling requirements, and good documentation practices. Review manufacturing and sample records for completeness, traceability, and conformance; identify and document deviations, nonconformances, and material holds when required. Provide hands-on quality guidance to operators and technical staff on sampling, labeling, inspection, documentation, and material status control. Support investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and follow-up verification for pilot process or product quality issues.
Development Sample Testing & Release: Perform or coordinate defined visual, dimensional, and other quality testing of development samples using approved methods and calibrated equipment. Coordinate with the Analytical Lab and R&D on sample testing schedules and results. Prepare sample release documentation, certificates of conformance, and traceability records for customer-facing development shipments.
Requirements:
- 3+ years of experience in quality assurance, quality engineering, or quality control in a manufacturing or product development environment
- Experience supporting pilot manufacturing, product development, customer samples, or manufacturing scale-up
- Familiarity with Quality Management Systems and ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949 practices
- Experience using ERP, MES, QMS, or laboratory data systems and proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
- Experience with magnet, materials, metallurgical, machining, or other precision manufacturing processes is a plus
- ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT), Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA), or similar certification is a plus
- Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities
