Senior Design Engineer
Vulcan Elements · Research Triangle Park
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.
The CAD Designer owns new designs for parts and equipment in our R&D and pilot facility, from initial measurements and concepts through fabrication drawings, assembly and as-built documentation.This role uses SolidWorks, Fusion 360 or similar CAD software to turn evolving process needs into practical, buildable parts and assemblies.The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical design skills with hands-on machining, building, welding, repair or similar experience, and works closely with engineers, technicians and fabricators to make designs work in practice.
Responsibilities
Mechanical Design and Development
- Design reactor parts, refractory geometry, cathodes, lids, and replacement components for high-temperature molten-salt electrochemical cells.
- Develop powder-metal feed-system parts, including hoppers, feed chutes, interfaces and mechanisms.
- Add features to machined components and design tooling, fixtures and equipment modifications for R&D and pilot projects.
- Create parametric 3D models and assemblies; check fits, interference, clearances and access for installation and maintenance.
- Work with engineers to incorporate material compatibility, thermal expansion, electrical isolation and cooling requirements into reviewed designs.
Fabrication and Build Support
- Design for available manufacturing methods and practical shop constraints, including:
- Machining access, achievable tolerances, standard stock sizes and inspection requirements.
- Weld access, assembly sequence, fasteners and serviceability.
- Measure existing equipment and reverse-engineer worn or undocumented parts; verify critical dimensions before fabrication.
- Work directly with machinists, welders, suppliers and technicians to resolve build issues, check fit and improve designs after testing.
Drawings and Spare Parts
- Produce fabrication-ready drawings with dimensions, tolerances, materials, finishes and applicable weld details.
- Maintain bills of materials, part numbers, CAD files and revision-controlled drawing packages.
- Own spare-part drawings and update as-built records so replacement parts can be ordered and installed reliably.
- Support supplier quotations and review proposed manufacturing changes with the responsible engineer.
- Manage multiple design requests and communicate priorities, lead times and design changes to the project team.
Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business.
Qualifications
- Technical training in CAD, drafting or mechanical design, or equivalent practical experience.
- Demonstrated experience designing mechanical parts and assemblies in SolidWorks, Fusion 360 or similar parametric CAD software.
- Hands-on experience in machining, fabrication, welding, equipment assembly, repair or a similar trade.
- Ability to produce clear shop drawings and apply appropriate dimensions, tolerances and fits.
- Ability to use measuring tools and translate physical parts and equipment into accurate CAD models.
- Understanding of manufacturing constraints and how design choices affect cost, lead time and buildability.
- Ability to incorporate feedback from the shop floor and work through design changes in a fast-moving R&D environment.
- Strong attention to detail, organized documentation and clear communication with engineers, technicians and suppliers.
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with high-temperature equipment, materials selection at high temperature, or metals processing equipment.
- Experience with powder handling, press feed systems, tooling or precision-machined components.
- Experience with copper busbars or buspipes, cooled assemblies, weldments or refractory components.
- Familiarity with GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, CAD data management or CAM workflows.
- Experience supporting pilot plants, prototype builds or equipment commissioning.
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