Pilot Operations Manager at Vulcan Elements in Research Triangle Park, NC

Job description

• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Translate R&D processes into robust, repeatable pilot workflows; lead process optimization, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement to improve yield, stability, and scalability.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Maintain high-precision specifications through rigorous process control, in-process verification, and structured root cause and corrective action for deviations.
• 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.
• 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.
• Integrate EHS requirements into all aspects of operations, including SOPs, training, material handling, and facility practices, ensuring safe and compliant execution at all times.
• Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in advanced materials, pilot production, or manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience leading pilot or production teams, with direct accountability for execution, safety, and performance.
• Hands-on experience working in pilot-scale or development environments, supporting process iteration, scale-up, and material qualification.
• Demonstrated experience in process engineering, pilot line operations, or scaling technologies from R&D to production.
• Strong track record of implementing SOP-driven operations, KPI management, and production documentation systems.
• Experience managing material flow, production scheduling, and cross-functional coordination.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

Skills

Required

• Process engineering
• Pilot line operations
• SOP-driven operations
• KPI management
• Production documentation systems
• Material flow management
• Production scheduling
• Cross-functional coordination
• Process optimization
• Troubleshooting
• Continuous improvement
• Root cause analysis