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Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets for defense, aerospace, and automotive applications with a focus on national security and economic resiliency.
This role has end-to-end responsibility for developing the Benson laboratory into a fully operational commercial capability. You will serve as the technical and operational leader for analytical testing, materials characterization, and product measurement at the facility.
Key responsibilities include:
**Laboratory Establishment and Commissioning**
Lead the establishment and commissioning of the Benson analytical laboratory, defining capabilities required to support raw materials, in-process testing, product characterization, qualification, and final product release. Lead technical specification, procurement, installation, commissioning, qualification, and calibration of analytical and metrology equipment in collaboration with OEMs and internal engineering teams. Develop and execute laboratory readiness plans covering instrumentation, standards, procedures, LIMS workflows, staffing, training, calibration, maintenance, and contingency capability aligned with the manufacturing startup schedule.
**Analytical Methods, Metrology and Technical Leadership**
Serve as the technical authority for analytical testing, materials characterization, and product metrology, establishing standards for analytical quality and measurement integrity. Partner closely with R&D and pilot laboratory leadership on analytical methodology and implement methods at Benson with appropriate SOPs, sample-preparation practices, standards, controls, and training. Ensure methods are fit for their intended use with appropriate controls for accuracy, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, robustness, and measurement uncertainty. Own the laboratory calibration and measurement-management system, including equipment qualification, calibration requirements, reference standards, and metrological traceability. Establish and maintain Measurement System Analysis practices, including Gage R&R, bias, linearity, and stability studies.
**LIMS, Laboratory Systems and Data Integrity**
Lead the configuration and implementation of the laboratory LIMS, including sample workflows, test plans, specifications, approval paths, result reporting, equipment interfaces, and traceability. Establish controlled laboratory procedures for sample receipt, identification, prioritization, preparation, testing, review, disposition, and reporting aligned with ISO-based practices. Drive appropriate instrument integration and automation to improve data integrity, reduce manual transcription, increase throughput, and connect laboratory information with plant quality and manufacturing systems.
**Laboratory Operations, Team and Productivity**
Build and lead the Benson laboratory organization, including workforce planning, recruiting, training, technician qualification, and technical development. Own day-to-day laboratory performance, including sample prioritization, technician scheduling, equipment loading, and escalation of constraints affecting production or product release. Develop laboratory capacity and staffing models based on sample demand, testing frequency, method cycle time, and future production growth. Optimize technician productivity, instrument utilization, and testing cost through workflow design, standard work, and automation. Own the laboratory operating budget and key performance indicators, including labor, consumables, calibration, service contracts, turnaround time, equipment availability, and cost per test.
**Manufacturing and Quality Support**
Provide analytical and metrology expertise for incoming material acceptance, manufacturing process control, product qualification, PPAP, finished-product release, nonconformance investigations, root-cause analysis, CAPA, and customer issues.
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
**Requirements**
Preferred qualifications include: direct experience establishing or commissioning a new commercial or industrial analytical laboratory; experience implementing or configuring a LIMS and integrating laboratory instruments or data workflows with manufacturing quality systems; experience with rare earth materials, specialty metals, powder metallurgy, permanent magnets, magnetic property characterization, or related advanced inorganic materials; experience supporting automotive or similarly controlled manufacturing environments, including IATF 16949, PPAP, MSA, SPC, and control plans; familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 10012 principles.
This role requires strict adherence to all laboratory safety protocols and regulatory guidelines, including consistent use of appropriate personal protective equipment (lab coats, safety glasses, gloves). The position involves working around equipment and procedures that present cut hazards and other physical risks associated with slicing, grinding, and tumbling operations. Team members must follow all established safety rules, use tools and machinery only as trained, and maintain awareness of mechanical pinch points, sharp components, and moving parts.
