Controls Engineer
at Vulcan Elements · 51-100 employees
Equity · $430M · Apr 2026
- Location
- Research Triangle Park, NC
- Posted
- 5d ago
python
at Vulcan Elements · 51-100 employees
Vulcan Elements is a manufacturer of rare-earth magnets.
<p><span data-contrast="none">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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none">As the Controls Engineer you will own controls execution for the finishing equipment portfolio within a massive 1 million square foot manufacturing facility expansion. You will own your equipment packages cradle-to-grave: design review, FAT witness, site commissioning, and sustaining support. This is a high-impact, high-ownership role requiring technical expertise in industrial automation and industrial robotics. The role includes hands-on implementation and travel to OEM factory acceptance tests, domestic and international, up to ~50% during test campaigns, and transitions from Durham, NC to the Benson, NC facility as commissioning begins.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Responsibilities</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="none">Lead hands-on programming, debugging, and commissioning of Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, and other industrial control hardware. Apply internal standards across grinding, wire saw, EDM, tumbling, coating, magnetization, and in-line inspection equipment.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="none">Own the integration and commissioning of robot cells(Fanuc, ABB, Kuka) - cell layout review, end-of-arm tooling, PLC-to-robot handshaking, machine vision, and coordinated motion with indexing conveyors, rotary tables, and servo feed systems.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="none">Execute task-based risk assessments to ISO 10218-1/-2, ISO/TS 15066, and ANSI/RIA R15.06; specify and validate safety functions — safe soft limits and zone monitoring, enabling devices, guard interlocks, and safety-rated stops — and demonstrate each one at Factory Acceptance Test rather than discovering it on site.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="none">Configure and maintain communications between PLCs, robots, CNC-class machine controls, and the site SCADA/MES layer, including tag mapping, alarming, and data acquisition.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="none">Review vendor electrical schematics, controls architectures, robot programs, and PLC/HMI logic. Lead controls Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and Site Acceptance Tests (SATs) to ensure full compliance with functional and safety requirements.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="none">Integrate dimensional and defect inspection, profilometry, and analytical test instrumentation into cell control and the plant data layer - measurement-to-reject interlocks, SPC data flow, and the disposition logic.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="none">Serve as the first-line, hands-on responder for diagnosing complex automation issues involving robots, networks, motion systems, instrumentation, and industrial communication protocols - on both the new facility and the running pilot.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Deliverables You Will Develop, Review, or Support</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="none">PLC code architecture, robot programs and safety zone configurations, HMI screens, vision inspection programs, tag databases, network lists, and system backups.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="none">Robot cell and machine risk assessments, safety function specifications with required performance levels, interlock and guarding logic, and safety-rated PFMEA inputs.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="none">Cell layouts, controls and network topology layouts, station cycle times, sequence diagrams, and automation simulations.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="none">Electrical schematics, pneumatic drawings, controls panel layouts, end-of-arm tooling interface drawings, and industrial