---
title: 'Laboratory Technician – Materials Characterization at Vulcan Elements'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/laboratory-technician-materials-characterization-vulcan-elements-research-dyjdvhdanh07'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-18'
---

# Laboratory Technician – Materials Characterization at Vulcan Elements

- **Company:** Vulcan Elements
- **Location:** Research Triangle Park, NC
- **Posted:** 2026-10-15
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-18
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/vulcanelements/jobs/5442056008

## Job description

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.

As an Analytical Laboratory Technician, you will perform sample preparation, analytical testing, and materials characterization in support of rare-earth permanent magnet R&D and production. Working under the guidance of the Laboratory Manager, experienced technicians, and Testing & Characterization Engineers, you will learn established test methods, operate laboratory instruments, and maintain accurate records. This hands-on role requires attention to detail, safe working practices, and a willingness to develop new laboratory skills.

## Responsibilities

- Perform routine analytical testing on raw materials, metal powders, in-process samples, and finished magnets to support quality control, production, and R&D.
- Follow established standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assist with experimental testing and procedural updates under technical guidance.
- Operate assigned analytical equipment following training, including elemental analyzers (LECO/ELTRA), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), laser diffraction particle size analyzers, X-ray diffraction (XRD), powder rheometers, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
- Prepare samples in ambient and glovebox environments, maintaining accuracy, traceability, and contamination control.
- Prepare metallographic specimens through sectioning, mounting, grinding, and polishing following training.
- Perform routine instrument checks, quality-control measurements, and basic maintenance; report equipment issues to experienced laboratory personnel.
- Record and report results accurately and promptly; flag unexpected results or procedural deviations for review.
- Maintain a clean, organized laboratory and safely handle chemicals, metal powders, and laboratory waste in accordance with established procedures.
- Maintain laboratory records and support applicable quality-system requirements.
- Coordinate assigned work with laboratory team members and participate in training across sample preparation and testing methods.

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

## Requirements

- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or protected individual as defined under ITAR).
- High school diploma/GED.
- Hands-on laboratory experience through employment, technical training, or academic coursework.
- Ability to follow written instructions, SOPs, and safety procedures accurately and consistently.
- Strong attention to detail in sample handling, measurements, and recordkeeping.
- Basic computer skills, including data entry and spreadsheets, and the ability to perform basic laboratory calculations.
- Ability to communicate clearly, organize assigned tasks, and recognize when to seek assistance.
- Ability to work safely with hazardous chemicals and materials following training.

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

## Qualifications

- Associate degree or coursework in chemistry, materials science, laboratory technology, or a related field.
- One to two years of experience in an analytical, materials testing, or manufacturing laboratory.
- Exposure to one or more of the listed analytical techniques or metallographic sample preparation.
- Experience handling metal powders or working with inert-atmosphere gloveboxes.
- Familiarity with laboratory documentation, quality-control checks, or established quality-management systems.

## About Vulcan Elements

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Vulcan Elements manufactures American rare-earth permanent magnets to build a resilient, Western supply chain for critical industries including defense, aerospace, automotive, and AI datacenters.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed + Series A + Debt financing)
- **Headquarters**: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States (primary R&D operations also in Research Triangle Park, NC)
- **Founded**: 2023
- **Founders**: John Maslin (CEO) and Dr. Piotr Kulik (CTO)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Advanced manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets (neodymium).
- Target customers: B2B and government/defense – enterprise customers in defense, aerospace, automotive, industrial, consumer electronics, AI datacenters, semiconductor fabrication.
- Mission: "Improving U.S. and allied security by producing the Rare Earth Magnets that are critical to economic and national security." – [vulcanelements.com](https://vulcanelements.com/)

## Products & Services
- **Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (Neodymium)**: High-performance sintered and bonded magnets used in motors, generators, sensors, and actuators. Application areas include defense systems, satellites, AI datacenters, semiconductor fabrication, consumer electronics, industrial motors, power tools, and non-drive train motors. – [vulcanelements.com](https://vulcanelements.com/)
- **R&D and Process Optimization**: Developing next-generation magnetic technologies and advanced manufacturing processes focused on efficiency, cost competitiveness, and supply chain transparency. – [vulcanelements.com](https://vulcanelements.com/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed.
- **Total Funding**: $690.2 million (as of November 2025) across three rounds:
  - Seed Round (Dec 2023): $5.2M – 3 investors.
  - Series A (Sep 2025): $65M – led by Washington Harbour Partners and Altimeter.
  - Debt Financing (Nov 2025): $620M – led by the Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital (OSC). – [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/vulcan-elements) / [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vulcan-elements)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding $690.2M; production output of 10 metric tons in 2025.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital, Washington Harbour Partners, Altimeter.
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Announced a $1.4 billion partnership with the United States government.
  - Selected Benson, North Carolina, for a 1.1 million sq ft facility – the largest magnet manufacturing plant outside China.
  - Employee headcount of 38 (+200% YoY) as of mid-2026.
  - Rapidly scaling pilot operations; 37 open job listings on Greenhouse. – [vulcanelements.com](https://vulcanelements.com/) / [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vulcan-elements) / [greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/vulcanelements)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Domestic Supply Chain**: The only U.S. company vertically integrating rare earth magnet production, reducing reliance on Chinese supply.
- **Technical Expertise**: Co-founder Dr. Piotr Kulik is one of four rare earth magnet science professors in the U.S. and opened the first academic rare earth magnetics lab in the country in over 20 years.
- **Government Backing**: Strong ties to U.S. national security agencies and over a billion dollars in government-funded partnerships.
- **Process Innovation**: Proprietary process optimization methods aimed at cost competitiveness without sacrificing performance.
- **National Security Focus**: All operations require U.S. Person status, aligning with defense and aerospace customer needs.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scale Production**: Transition from pilot-scale (10 metric tons/year) to mass production at the Benson, NC facility to meet surging demand from defense, AI, and automotive sectors.
- **Supply Chain Resilience**: Partnering exclusively with U.S. and allied-country suppliers (UK, Australia, Japan).
- **R&D**: Developing next-generation magnetic materials and advanced manufacturing processes.
- **Talent Acquisition**: Actively hiring engineers, scientists, operations, and business development talent to support rapid growth. – [greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/vulcanelements)

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven Culture**: Employees contribute directly to national security and economic resilience, with values of Mission Focus, Technical Excellence, and Transparency. – [vulcanelements.com](https://vulcanelements.com/careers/)
- **Benefits**: Competitive equity, unlimited PTO, 90% health insurance (100% for employee), 99% dental and vision, 401K, fully stocked kitchen. – [vulcanelements.com](https://vulcanelements.com/careers/)
- **Work Environment**: Fast-paced startup with a "startup manufacturer" ethos; roles are largely on-site in Research Triangle Park, NC or Benson, NC. Internship opportunities available with mentorship and real impact on critical projects.
- **Growth Opportunity**: Extremely high headcount growth (+200% YoY) and large-scale facility expansion offer rapid career advancement.
- **U.S. Person Requirement**: Many positions require U.S. Person status due to government contracts.

## Sources
1. [vulcanelements.com](https://vulcanelements.com/)
2. [vulcanelements.com/careers](https://vulcanelements.com/careers/)
3. [greenhouse.io (Vulcan Elements jobs)](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/vulcanelements)
4. [linkedin.com/company/vulcan-elements](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vulcan-elements)
5. [cbinsights.com/company/vulcan-elements](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/vulcan-elements)

## Other roles at Vulcan Elements

- [Safety Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/safety-manager-vulcan-elements-research-triangle-park-pt78qasw38w5) — Research Triangle Park, NC
- [Maintenance Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/maintenance-manager-vulcan-elements-research-triangle-park-16xbaat3zj0e) — Research Triangle Park, NC
- [Operator - R&D / Pilot Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/operator-r-d-pilot-operations-vulcan-elements-research-triangle-park-35krxp35k1yr) — Research Triangle Park, NC
- [Capital Projects Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/capital-projects-analyst-vulcan-elements-research-triangle-park-r89w58fw2m94) — Research Triangle Park, NC
- [Controls Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/controls-technician-vulcan-elements-research-triangle-park-44dpx717q56q) — Research Triangle Park, NC
- [Mechanical Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-systems-engineer-vulcan-elements-benson-th27p71e149r) — Benson, NC
- [Capital Projects Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/capital-projects-engineer-vulcan-elements-benson-snfcd58ssmqm) — Benson, NC
- [Electrical Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-systems-engineer-vulcan-elements-benson-t95hqdykgzfk) — Benson, NC
- [Senior Laboratory Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-laboratory-technician-vulcan-elements-research-triangle-park-mc2ps4vvd8jj) — Research Triangle Park, NC
- [Technical Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-program-manager-vulcan-elements-benson-bztp80dghrxt) — Benson, NC