Vulcan Elements

Defense

Manager,DefenseApplications

$125–175k ~AI est. Durham, North Carolina, United States
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Manager candidates.

The Brief

“Manager, Defense Applications at Vulcan Elements. Skills: Revenue growth, Customer relationships, Program management. Own end-to-end customer pipeline for defense programs. Lead customer relationships across defense primes, OEMs, and”

What You'll Achieve.

Drive revenue growth; Ensure successful execution of defense programs

Industry & Context.

Defense
Eligibility Requirements

U. S. Person, Security clearance

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, business, or related field, Minimum 7 years of experience in engineering, technical sales, business development, or customer program management, Experience managing long-cycle, qualification-driven sales or program lifecycles, Proven ability to manage complex programs with technical deliverables, Demonstrated experience working cross-functionally with operations, R&D, quality, and engineering teams, Must be a U. S. Person

Nice to Have

Experience in defense or advanced manufacturing, materials, or automotive/aerospace sectors, Experience working with defense primes, aerospace OEMs, or Tier 1 suppliers, Familiarity with U. S. export control regulations, Familiarity with defense or aerospace qualification, traceability, and documentation requirements, Experience supporting or capturing programs within defense acquisition cycles, Understanding of permanent magnet materials, Familiarity with electric motors, actuators, sensors, or other magnetics-based systems, Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and engineering specifications, Familiarity with quality and qualification processes, Exposure to manufacturing processes relevant to magnetics or precision components, Ability to obtain and maintain a U. S. security clearance

What You'll Do.

Own end-to-end customer pipeline for defense programs

Lead customer relationships across defense primes

Ensure opportunities progress from samples and validation to

Drive revenue growth within the defense segment

Coordinate technical and commercial execution across internal teams

Ensure alignment between customer requirements and manufacturing capabilities

Serve as the voice of the customer across

Translate market and program needs into actionable input

Act as the primary point of contact for

Ensure consistent delivery

and customer satisfaction

Coordinate customer engagement activities

Own defense customer programs through all stages

Develop and maintain relationships across multiple levels within

Own revenue growth and bookings performance across the

Identify and execute opportunities for account expansion and

Maintain accurate pipeline

Drive program capture efforts

Own customer qualification processes

Lead the quotation process

Monitor account performance and proactively address risks or

Maintain clear visibility into pipeline and opportunities

Drive customer opportunities through defined milestones

Ensure timely progression of customer programs

Work closely with operations

Translate requirements into clear technical and operational actions

Ensure alignment between commercial commitments and execution

Align internal teams around customer priorities

Develop deep understanding of defense market structure

Identify new customers

and partnership opportunities

Support broader commercial strategy and positioning

Identify and prioritize target platforms

Support engagement with U. S. government stakeholders

Navigate defense procurement environments

Support compliance with export controls and handling of

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

Cross-functional teams; Internal teams; Customer organizations

Communication Scope

Customer satisfaction; Customer communication

Process & Methodology

Program management

Full 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 Transparency. As the Manager, Defense Applications, you will own the end-to-end customer pipeline for defense programs - from initial engagement through qualification, contract award, and production ramp. You will lead customer relationships across defense primes, OEMs, and government stakeholders, ensuring that opportunities progress efficiently from samples and validation through to long-term supply agreements. This role is responsible for driving revenue growth within the defense segment, coordinating technical and commercial execution across internal teams, and ensuring alignment between customer requirements and Vulcan’s manufacturing capabilities. You will serve as the voice of the customer across the organization - translating market and program needs into actionable input for operations, product development, and leadership. This is a highly cross-functional role requiring both commercial ownership and technical fluency. Responsibilities Customer Ownership & Relationship Management Act as the primary point of contact for all defense customers Own the full customer pipeline from initial engagement through sampling, qualification, and transition to production Ensure consistent delivery, communication, and customer satisfaction across all stages of engagement Coordinate customer engagement activities including site visits, technical reviews, and ongoing communication Own defense customer programs through all stages, including sampling, testing, qualification, and transition to production contracts Develop and maintain relationships across multiple levels within customer organizations,

Free ATS check

Applying for this Manager, Defense Applications role?

Most applicants get filtered before a human reads their resume. See if yours makes the cut.

How to Apply on Greenhouse

  • Create a Greenhouse profile before applying — it saves time across multiple applications.
  • Upload your resume as a PDF; the parser handles it better than Word.
  • Answer all knockout questions carefully — wrong answers auto-reject before a human sees you.
  • Enable email notifications to track application status in real time.

ANONYMOUS · UNFILTERED

What do employees actually say about Vulcan Elements?

Real rants from real employees. Read before you apply.

Read Company Rants →