Analytical Manager

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 Integrity. 

This role has end-to-end responsibility for developing the Benson laboratory into a fully operational commercial capability, including laboratory commissioning, analytical instrumentation and metrology, SOPs and controlled test methods, LIMS configuration, staffing and technician qualification, calibration systems, quality controls, capacity planning, and laboratory productivity. The manager will serve as the technical and operational leader for analytical testing, materials characterization, and product measurement at the Benson facility. 

Working closely with Vulcan's R&D and pilot laboratory leadership, this individual will implement and optimize analytical methodologies for reliable, repeatable, and efficient use in commercial manufacturing. The ideal candidate combines advanced expertise in analytical chemistry and inorganic materials characterization with demonstrated experience establishing and operating a disciplined, high-performing industrial laboratory. 

Responsibilities 

Laboratory Establishment and Commissioning 

• Lead the establishment and commissioning of the Benson analytical laboratory, defining the 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; work directly with OEMs and internal engineering teams to ensure equipment is capable and production-ready. 
• Develop and execute laboratory readiness plans covering instrumentation, standards and consumables, procedures, LIMS workflows, staffing, training, calibration, maintenance, and contingency capability in alignment with the manufacturing startup schedule. 

Analytical Methods, Metrology and Technical Leadership 

• Serve as the technical authority for analytical testing, materials characterization, and product metrology within the Benson laboratory, establishing standards for analytical quality, measurement integrity, and technical execution. 
• Partner closely with R&D and pilot laboratory leadership on analytical methodology and specialized technical issues; implement methods at Benson with the SOPs, sample-preparation practices, standards, controls, training, and equipment configurations required for consistent commercial execution. 
• Ensure methods are fit for their intended use with appropriate controls for accuracy, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, robustness, detection capability, and measurement uncertainty; maintain methods through controlled change and periodic review.