Modeling and Simulation Manager

<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></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">As the Modeling and Simulation Manager you will grow and lead a </span><span data-contrast="auto">multidisciplinary team of computational scientists and engineers, driving physics-based and data-based modeling efforts that directly improve magnet performance, production yields, and process efficiency.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":80,"335559739":80}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You will both contribute directly to modeling work and grow a team with deep expertise across a variety of modeling and simulation modalities, including but not limited to mechanical, fluid dynamics, electronic structure, and mathematical and image analysis. Your group’s output will shape process decisions, reduce experimental iteration cycles, and create quantitative links between structure, processing conditions, and final properties. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":80,"335559739":80}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">This role will initially support pilot-scale and R&D activities (RTP, NC), with the potential to contribute to commercial plant operations (Benson, NC) in the next year. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with one or more of COMSOL, Fluent, finite element analysis, thermodynamic modeling (FactSage, ThermoCalc), mathematical and image analyses, and density functional theorgy, as well as experience as a people leader. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<h4><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}">Responsibilities </span></h4>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Build and manage a matrixed modeling and simulations team with broad expertise spanning Finite element analysis, Computational fluid dynamics, Stress/Strain analysis, thermodynamic modeling, mathematical/image analysis, and DFT; define hiring roadmap, team structure, and capability milestones.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Translate R&D priorities into a modeling agenda with clear deliverables, timelines, and success criteria in partnership with process engineering, materials science, and production teams.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Foster a culture of scientific rigor, reproducibility, and rapid iteration; establish standards for model validation, documentation, and peer review.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Present results and recommendations to technical and executive stakeholders; communicate uncertainty and model limitations clearly.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559740":240}"> <em><span data-contrast="auto">Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business.</span></em></span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Qualifications</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">Ph.D. or M.S. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related quantitative field.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">5+ years of hands-on experience with COMSOL, Fluent, or equivalent; demonstrated ability to build and validate coupled multiphysics models and finite element analysis (FEA).</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Strong mathematical modeling background; experience with image analysis, machine learning, statistical modeling, or signal processing applied to materials characterization data.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Familiarity with rare earth magnets, NdFeB alloy systems, or related metallic/magnetic materials.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="9" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Experience leading or mentoring a small technical team; ability to set priorities, provide technical guidance, and develop junior researchers.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="10" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, Git, or equivalents for scripting, data analysis, and model post-processing.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to produce clear technical reports and present complex results to non-specialist audiences.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559740":240}"><em><span data-contrast="auto">Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities</span></em></span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1">Preferred Qualifications</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":360,"335559739":80}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="12" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Direct experience with DFT codes (VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, or similar) or demonstrated ability to direct and interpret DFT studies.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="13" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Background in rare earth processing, hydrometallurgy, or magnet manufacturing.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="14" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with grain boundary diffusion processes or sintering simulation.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="15" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Familiarity with thermodynamic modeling and databases such as FactSage, or ThermoCalc</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="16" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Knowledge of machine learning principles for data analysis</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="17" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Familiarity with electron microscopy image analysis (SEM/EDS/EBSD) and quantitative microstructural characterization.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="18" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Publication record in computational materials science, process simulation, or permanent magnets.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="•" data-font="" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"•","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="19" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Experience managing budgets, external collaborators, or academic partnerships.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>