Quality Specialist - Pilot Manufacturing

Job Description

Job Description

QUALITY SPECIALIST - PILOT MANUFACTURING  

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. 

The Quality Specialist supports 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. This 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. 

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 or verified equipment, as trained and qualified. 

• Confirm required inspection and laboratory results are complete and evaluate results against approved internal or customer development criteria. 

• Maintain sample identification, chain of custody, lot traceability, and test records from pilot manufacturing through final disposition. 

• Compile and review the quality release package for customer-bound development samples, including applicable inspection records, test results, Certificates of Analysis (COAs), and traceability documentation. 

• Complete quality release of development samples prior to shipment within delegated authority and approved procedures; place incomplete or nonconforming samples on hold and route exceptions for appropriate technical disposition and approval. 

Quality Assessments & Continuous Improvement 

• Participate in internal process assessments and quality audits focused on pilot manufacturing execution, documentation, material control, and adherence to established methods. 

• Identify recurring quality gaps and recommend practical improvements to SOPs, inspection methods, sampling plans, records, and operator practices. 

• Support calibration, verification, readiness, and basic upkeep of quality inspection and test equipment used by the role. 

• Work cross-functionally to improve repeatability, yield, sample turnaround, and overall quality of pilot manufacturing and development output. 

• Perform other quality-related duties as assigned in support of pilot manufacturing and development programs. 

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

Qualifications  

• 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. 

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 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.