Analytical Chemist
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.
We are seeking an Analytical Chemist to join our laboratory team. This individual will develop and maintain chemical analysis methods, support chemical processing operations, and lead corrosion testing efforts for NdFeB permanent magnets and protective coating systems. This is a hands-on role requiring strong analytical chemistry fundamentals, careful method development practices, and the ability to generate reliable, production-relevant data in a fast-paced industrial environment.
Responsibilities
- Develop, validate, and maintain analytical procedures for chemical analysis, with a primary emphasis on ICP-OES.
- Prepare and analyze samples using wet chemistry techniques including dissolution, digestion, dilution, and standard preparation.
- Establish and maintain calibration protocols, quality control standards, and reference material traceability.
- Support development and control of chemical processing operations such as cleaning, etching, phosphating, and electroplating.
- Design and execute corrosion testing programs for NdFeB materials and coating systems, including salt spray (ASTM B117), humidity exposure, and electrochemical methods.
- Interpret and report analytical and corrosion data clearly, with appropriate statistical treatment and uncertainty quantification.
- Troubleshoot instrument performance issues and coordinate preventive maintenance and service.
- Document methods, results, and deviations in a structured manner consistent with quality system requirements.
- Collaborate with materials, process, and data engineers to integrate analytical data into broader manufacturing and quality workflows.
Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business.
Qualifications
- B.S. or higher in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
- Hands-on experience with ICP-OES or comparable atomic spectroscopy techniques (ICP-MS, AAS, XRF).
- Strong foundation in wet chemistry, sample preparation, and quantitative analysis.
- Familiarity with electrochemistry, including techniques such as potentiodynamic polarization, EIS, or open circuit potential measurements.
- Familiarity with corrosion testing methods and standards (ASTM B117, salt spray, electrochemical testing).
- Proficiency with Python for data analysis, scripting, or instrument data processing.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple concurrent analyses, and take ownership of laboratory methods and instrument health.
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting chemical processing operations (plating, phosphating, passivation, or similar surface treatments).
- Broad exposure to complementary analytical and characterization methods such as XRD, SEM/EDS, titration, or thermal analysis.
- Experience in a production, industrial, or commercial laboratory environment.
- Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or structured data workflows.
- Experience with statistical methods for method validation, measurement uncertainty, or process control.
- Comfort operating in environments where throughput, repeatability, and data integrity are priorities.
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