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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 include:
**Quality Systems & SOPs:** Create, revise, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, inspection methods, forms, and quality records for pilot magnet manufacturing and development activities. Translate process requirements, drawings, specifications, and development plans into practical quality controls and acceptance criteria. Support document control, training documentation, batch records, lot traceability, and records demonstrating work was performed to approved methods. Establish and continuously improve fit-for-purpose quality practices for a fast-moving pilot environment while maintaining disciplined documentation.
**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 and work instructions. Review manufacturing and sample records for completeness, traceability, and conformance; identify and document deviations and nonconformances. Provide hands-on quality guidance to operators and technical staff. Support investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and follow-up verification for quality issues.
**Development Sample Testing & Release:** Perform or coordinate visual, dimensional, and other quality testing of development samples using approved methods and calibrated equipment. Confirm required inspection and laboratory results are complete and evaluate against approved criteria. Maintain sample identification, chain of custody, lot traceability, and test records. Compile and review quality release packages for customer-bound development samples, including inspection records, test results, Certificates of Analysis, and traceability documentation. Complete quality release of development samples prior to shipment; place incomplete or nonconforming samples on hold.
**Quality Assessments & Continuous Improvement:** Participate in internal process assessments and quality audits focused on pilot manufacturing execution, documentation, and material control. Identify recurring quality gaps and recommend practical improvements. Support calibration, verification, and upkeep of quality inspection and test equipment. Work cross-functionally to improve repeatability, yield, sample turnaround, and overall quality of pilot manufacturing and development output.
The role works closely with R&D, Operations, Engineering, and the Analytical Lab to ensure pilot work is traceable, repeatable, well documented, and ready for customer-facing development shipments.
**Requirements:**
- 2+ years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing, pilot, laboratory, inspection, or quality environment
- Experience creating or updating SOPs, work instructions, inspection methods, or other controlled quality documentation
- Experience performing inspections or quality testing and maintaining clear, traceable records
- Ability to read and apply engineering drawings, specifications, acceptance criteria, and documented test or inspection requirements
- Strong attention to detail, organization, written communication, and ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional technical teams
- Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities
**Desired Skills:**
- Associate degree or higher in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field
- 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
- ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT), Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA), or similar certification
