Job PurposeAs a
Sr. Manufacturing Development Engineer - Equipment, you will serve as a primary technical driver for the deployment, commissioning, and operational stability of VulcanForms' industrial hardware infrastructure. You will own the technical execution of taking complex manufacturing equipment from initial unboxing and facility integration through strict installation and operational qualifications. This role spans a diverse and advanced asset matrix, including industrial post-processing, automation, and metal additive systems, requiring a proactive problem-solver who can ensure our machinery runs reliably in a 24/7 production environment.
Key Responsibilities- Equipment Commissioning & Validation: Lead the end-to-end deployment, site integration, and qualification (IQ/OQ/SAT) of diverse industrial manufacturing equipment matrices (including but not limited to: EOS Metal 3D Printers, Vacuum/Atmosphere Heat Treatment Furnaces, Solukon Depowdering systems, Wire EDM, Build Plate Resurfacing/Milling machinery, and industrial Clean lines).
- Vendor & OEM Interface: Act as the primary technical point of contact for external equipment manufacturers and rigging teams, managing delivery timelines, technical installation requirements, and troubleshooting major hardware anomalies.
- Hardware Stability & Optimization: Define, monitor, and improve equipment-level performance metrics, driving initiatives to maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and Uptime while minimizing MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) and MTTR (Mean Time To Repair).
- Documentation & Standards: Author standard operating procedures (SOPs), equipment preventative maintenance schedules, and clear facility integration logs to ensure seamless handoffs to the production operations and maintenance teams.
- Cross-Functional Execution: Collaborate closely with Facilities, EHS, Quality, and Process Engineering teams to ensure new equipment modules safely integrate into factory floor layouts and enterprise data/SCADA networks.
Qualifications- Experience: 5+ years of progressive engineering experience managing complex equipment deployment, factory automation, or industrial machinery integration within a high-stakes manufacturing environment.
- Validation Track Record: Documented experience executing formal equipment qualification protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ) and mechanical troubleshooting frameworks.
- Technical Versatility: Hands-on familiarity with at least two major industrial equipment categories (e.g., CNC/EDM machining, vacuum/fluid/pneumatic systems, high-temperature thermal systems, robotic automation, or industrial chemical/clean processing).
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Communication: Strong project management and communication skills, with the ability to manage vendor relationships and clearly report machine readiness metrics to leadership.
VulcanForms offers a competitive salary and equity package. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, VulcanForms provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; generous paid time off; and a 401(k) plan with company match.
The annual base salary range for this position is $106,000 to $171,000.
