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Equipment and Tool Installation Manager

Research Triangle Park, NC

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.

As the Equipment & Tool Installation Manager, you will own the full installation lifecycle for rare earth magnet processing equipment — from early engagement with OEM manufacturers through contractor selection, site installation, system acceptance testing, and handover to production operations. This role carries direct management authority over installation contractors and may lead internal team members as the facility grows. The position bridges greenfield construction and ongoing operations, requiring equal fluency in capital project execution and manufacturing startup.

This is a multi-phase capital project. Equipment installation will be executed across three defined phases, each corresponding to a distinct stage of facility build-out and production ramp. The Installation Manager will be responsible for planning and executing all three phases — coordinating contractor resources, OEM schedules, and facility readiness across the full program timeline. Phase sequencing requires the ability to manage concurrent workstreams, transition lessons learned between phases and maintain continuity of contractor relationships and documentation standards throughout.

Responsibilities

OEM & Pre-Installation Engagement

  • Engage directly with equipment manufacturers during the procurement phase to review installation requirements, utility specifications, and site preparation needs.
  • Participate in factory acceptance testing (FAT) and pre-shipment reviews to identify and resolve issues before equipment arrives on site.
  • Develop installation packages — including utility layouts, rigging plans, and sequencing logic — in coordination with engineering and facilities design teams.
  • Establish documentation standards and acceptance criteria to be used throughout the installation and commissioning lifecycle.

Contractor Selection & Management

  • Lead the qualification, bid evaluation, and selection of installation contractors across mechanical, electrical, piping, and rigging scopes.
  • Lead the development and negotiation of contracts with installation contractors, OEM field service providers, and other project vendors — including scope of work, terms, deliverables, and performance requirements — in coordination with legal and procurement teams.
  • Review and provide input on OEM supply agreements, service contracts, and warranty terms as they relate to installation, commissioning, and post-handover support obligations.
  • Define scope of work, safety requirements, and performance expectations for all contracted installation trades.
  • Manage day-to-day contractor performance, schedule adherence, and quality compliance on the installation floor.
  • Coordinate across multiple contractors and OEM field service teams simultaneously to maintain schedule and avoid conflicts.
  • Enforce site EHS protocols — including LOTO, PPE, and safe work practices — serving as the authority for contractor safety compliance.

Installation Execution

  • Oversee equipment move-in, rigging, precision alignment, and all mechanical, electrical, and piping hook-ups.
  • Verify utility readiness and facility interfaces prior to each tool installation; resolve discrepancies with the general contractor and engineering teams.
  • Maintain installation schedules aligned with the broader facility construction milestones and production ramp timeline.
  • Track progress against plan, identify risks early, and drive resolution to keep the overall program on schedule.
  • Own the punch-list process: generate, assign, and close items with full documentation before commissioning activities begin.
  • Provide support during Site Acceptance Testing

Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business 

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in industrial equipment installation, capital project execution, or manufacturing startup.
  • Demonstrated experience managing installation contractors across mechanical, electrical, and/or piping scopes — including contractor qualification, scope definition, and performance oversight.
  • Direct involvement in site acceptance testing (SAT) or commissioning of complex industrial or process equipment.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, electrical schematics, and utility layout documents.
  • Proven ability to coordinate across OEM vendors, general contractors, and internal engineering teams in a fast-paced project environment.
  • Strong working knowledge of site EHS requirements including LOTO, hazardous energy control, and contractor safety management.

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

Desired Skills

  • Experience with greenfield facility build-out or manufacturing site startup — ideally through full handover to production.
  • Familiarity with factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT) and OEM engagement during equipment procurement.
  • Degree or equivalent training in mechanical, electrical, industrial, or process engineering; PMP, OSHA 30, or rigger certification a plus.
  • Experience building or scaling an installation function — developing standards, selecting vendors, and onboarding team members.

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