Capital Projects Engineer

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 is expected to be in the Benson, NC facility as construction and operations progress.

Responsibilities

• Manage capital projects from scope development through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Support the Benson facility buildout, including process equipment, utilities, infrastructure, and supporting facility systems.
• Develop and manage project scopes, budgets, schedules, risks, and execution plans.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders, engineering consultants, contractors, equipment vendors, and other project partners.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, proposals, submittals, and technical documentation.
• Support equipment selection, procurement, installation, startup, commissioning, and operational handoff.
• Monitor project cost, schedule, quality, and change management, including review of contractor and vendor change requests.
• Own facility and utility improvement projects, ensuring systems are efficient, reliable, cost-effective, and capable of supporting production needs.
• Support permitting, code compliance, inspections, and construction safety requirements.
• Provide hands-on engineering support to resolve field, installation, commissioning, and operational issues.
• Identify and execute facility improvements that increase safety, reliability, capacity, efficiency, and maintainability.
• Maintain accurate project and facility documentation, including drawings, equipment records, closeout packages, and lessons learned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting engineering, construction, manufacturing, or capital projects in an industrial environment.
• Ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders, priorities, and project activities.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Ability to work onsite and support construction, commissioning, startup, and operational activities as business needs require.

Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

Desired Skills

• Experience managing capital projects in manufacturing or process-industry environments.
• Experience supporting greenfield construction, facility expansions, or major equipment installations.
• Experience with commissioning, startup, and transition into sustained plant operations.
• Working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, process, controls, structural, civil, and utility systems.
• Experience managing contractors, engineering firms, equipment suppliers, budgets, schedules, and change orders.
• Familiarity with permitting, building codes, OSHA requirements, and industrial construction safety.
• Experience reviewing P&IDs, equipment layouts, utility drawings, electrical one-lines, and construction drawings.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Proficiency with project management and engineering tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, or similar platforms.

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.