Pilot Operations Manager
Vulcan Elements
<p>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.<br><br>The Pilot Operations Manager is responsible for end-to-end execution of pilot-scale manufacturing for advanced rare earth materials, serving as the critical link between development and full-scale production. This role combines production leadership, process engineering, and material coordination to deliver qualified materials safely, on specification, and on schedule.</p> <p>The leader will establish disciplined, scalable operations while partnering closely with development, commercial, quality, and EHS teams to enable rapid iteration, material qualification, and successful transition to production.<br><br><strong>Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>Own daily pilot manufacturing operations from planning through delivery, ensuring reliable, safe, and on-time execution of material and testing plans aligned with program and commercial priorities.</li> <li>Translate R&amp;D processes into robust, repeatable pilot workflows; lead process optimization, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement to improve yield, stability, and scalability.</li> <li>Oversee end-to-end material flow including raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods; coordinate staging, inventory, and movement of sensitive materials to align production output with testing and delivery requirements.</li> <li>Establish and enforce SOPs, work instructions, and standardized workflows; coordinate production schedules, resource allocation, and equipment readiness; implement and manage KPIs (yield, throughput, quality, schedule adherence) to drive performance and accountability.</li> <li>Ensure complete and accurate batch records, material qualification traveler sheets, and process documentation; synthesize and communicate clear material testing summaries to support data-driven decisions and stakeholder alignment.</li> <li>Maintain high-precision specifications through rigorous process control, in-process verification, and structured root cause and corrective action for deviations.</li> <li>Lead, coach, and develop a team of technicians; establish clear expectations for execution, safety, and documentation; build a culture of accountability, precision, and continuous improvement.</li> <li>Partner closely with development, commercial, quality, and EHS teams to align on priorities, communicate progress and risks, and ensure readiness for customer requirements and scale-up milestones.</li> <li>Integrate EHS requirements into all aspects of operations, including SOPs, training, material handling, and facility practices, ensuring safe and compliant execution at all times.</li> </ul> <p><em>Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business</em></p> <p><strong>Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.</li> <li>5+ years of experience in advanced materials, pilot production, or manufacturing environments.</li> <li>Proven experience leading pilot or production teams, with direct accountability for execution, safety, and performance.</li> <li>Hands-on experience working in pilot-scale or development environments, supporting process iteration, scale-up, and material qualification.</li> <li>Demonstrated experience in process en