The posting
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.
As an Electrical Engineer you will support the electrical systems of a rare earth magnet manufacturing facility during construction ramp-up and ongoing operations. This role is responsible for verifying that electrical installations conform to engineering drawings and equipment power requirements, supporting equipment energization and site acceptance testing, and serving as a technical liaison between the site electrical engineer, factory engineering manager, and electrical contractors during construction. The ideal candidate is comfortable working on-site during active construction, can read and interpret one-line diagrams and electrical drawings, and has practical experience with low-voltage (480V and less) industrial power distribution equipment.
This role is expected to be in the Benson, NC facility as construction and operations progress.
Responsibilities
- Verify electrical installations (unit substations, bus duct, panelboards, switchboards, grounding systems, transformers, fused disconnects) against engineering drawings and equipment power requirements prior to energization.
- Support and coordinate site acceptance testing (SAT) for electrical equipment, including generators, automatic transfer switches (ATS), uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and power metering systems.
- Participate in facility ramp-up activities, tracking installation progress across 40+ unit substations and associated distribution equipment.
- Identify and document construction issues, electrical contractor deficiencies, and design constructability problems; communicate findings and proposed resolutions to the site electrical engineer and factory engineering manager.
- Review contractor redlines and as-built documentation for accuracy against design intent.
- Support commissioning of electrical systems in accordance with NEC and facility design standards.
- Coordinate with electrical contractors on installation sequencing, punch-list resolution, and equipment turnover for energization.
- Ensure work performed on-site complies with NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E electrical safety requirements and facility lockout/tagout procedures.
- Support troubleshooting of power distribution issues during startup and early operations.
- Maintain accurate records of testing, inspections, and equipment status throughout the ramp-up phase.
- Interface with equipment vendors and manufacturer representatives during startup and commissioning as needed.
- Provide technical ownership of facility electrical systems, including system reliability, asset lifecycle management, condition monitoring, and development of preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation.
- Track asset utilization and uptime, also including KPI helping ensure uninterrupted service for production teams
- Own and manage operational costs for electrical systems, including utility consumption and lifecycle costs, while identifying opportunities to improve reliability and reduce total cost of ownership.
Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from an accredited institution.
- 3+ years of relevant electrical engineering experience, ideally in an industrial or manufacturing facility environment.
- Working knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and NFPA 70E.
- Demonstrated experience with industrial power distribution equipment: unit substations, switchboards, panelboards, bus duct, transformers, fused disconnects, and grounding systems.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical one-line diagrams, panel schedules, and construction drawings.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for coordinating across engineering, construction, and contractor teams.
- Willingness to work on an active construction site and follow all site safety requirements.
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
Desired Skills
- Experience in a powdered metal, magnet, or similar heavy-industrial/manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with arc flash hazard analysis and equipment labeling requirements.
- Experience with construction punch-list management and contractor RFI/issue tracking processes.
- Exposure to fault current studies, short-circuit coordination, or protective device settings.
- Familiarity with generators, automatic transfer switches, UPS systems, and power metering systems.
- Experience supporting facility ramp-up, equipment energization, and/or site acceptance testing.
Physical and Environmental Requirements
The position requires regular presence on the production floor and the ability to navigate all areas of the facility. Candidates must be able to climb stairs, stand and walk for extended periods, and work in environments that may be hot, humid, or noisy. The role also requires the use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, and adherence to all applicable safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Employees must be able to complete required fit testing, wear appropriate PPE for the duration of assigned tasks, and respond safely to changing conditions within the production environment.
