Process Engineering Manager
Vulcanelements · Research Triangle Park, NC · Posted Jul 8, 2026
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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.
As a Process Engineering Manager you will be the owner’s side process engineering expert for a large industrial installation to convert rare earth oxides to metals. You will provide oversight, internal technical review, and project management support for the work product of external engineering firms related to process engineering of molten salt electrolysis. This role will serve as the owner’s side technical authority on process documentation for metallization processes, transitioning to process engineering management as the plant is commissioned. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience taking complex, high-temperature, materials-intensive processes from definition through construction and into operation.
Responsibilities
Own the process definition for production scale metallization, from raw material through finished quality metal.
Manage a team to introduce technology developments out of pilot to the metallization cells.
Manage and organize timelines and deliverables with external EPC and ensure smooth interfaces with internal and external organizations.
Review / Maintain all core process documentation, including:
Process flow diagrams (PFDs)
Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P IDs)
Heat and mass balances
Equipment lists and design bases
Operating philosophies and control narratives
Ensure systems meet operational, safety, and environmental performance requirements.
Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related field
8+ years of hands-on experience in industrial process engineering
Experience working with external engineering partners or EPCs
Demonstrated experience defining and documenting full production-scale processes, setting targets and limits, and optimizing performance
Proven ability to develop and own PFDs, P IDs, and Design bases
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with high-temperature metallurgical or electrochemical plants
Direct involvement in permitted industrial facilities
Startup, scale-up, or first-of-kind plant experience
Familiarity with owner’s engineering standards and capital project execution
Experience supporting commissioning and early operations
Experience supporting change management