CNC Lead

Corning Incorporated; Glendale (AZ); On-site; USD 82,436,000 - 99,945,000; Full time

Job summary

Corning Incorporated in the United States is seeking a CNC Machining Lead to coordinate operator assignments, maintain schedule flow, and ensure safe, quality production. You will work with CNC operators, cell leads, production control, quality, and maintenance to keep production moving and resolve issues quickly.

Ideal candidates bring deep CNC knowledge, strong communication skills, and a track record of safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of CNC machining operations, routers, work orders, production flow.
• Ability to read and follow drawings, procedures, routers, inspection requirements.
• Strong communication across operators, leads, supervisors, quality, maintenance, and control.
• Ability to prioritize work and adapt to changing production needs.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Basic computer skills to review schedules and enter metrics.

Responsibilities

• Schedule operators on machines and coordinate daily work assignments with cell leads.
• Ensure hot jobs and priority work orders are pursued as per schedule.
• Partner with production control on schedule changes, job releases, material needs, and updates.
• Create maintenance work orders for equipment issues or repairs.
• Verify programs are downloaded and available in the system before work begins.
• Review finished jobs, routers, and operator sign‑offs for accuracy.
• Review closed jobs in progress areas to confirm documentation and status.
• Review suspect parts with the quality auditor and support containment or escalation.
• Produce daily CNC report and update production schedule with metrics.
• Process production metrics and support reporting of output, efficiency, and progress.
• Attend daily production meetings and communicate updates and needs.
• Perform quarterly safety audits and drive corrective actions when gaps identified.
• Maintain department inventory of oils and production materials.
• Monitor staff adherence to policy, safety, quality, and SOPs.

Skills

CNC machining

Reading drawings

Communication

Prioritization

Safety commitment

Basic computer skills

Tools

Maintenance work order systems

Job description

The company built on breakthroughs. Join us.

Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Requisition Number: 76913

The company built on breakthroughs. Join us.

Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible. How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations – not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward. At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at‑home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more. Come break through with us. Corning’s businesses are ever‑evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets. We are changing the world with Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives; Damage‑resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected; Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light; Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences; Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation; Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions.

Position Summary

The CNC Machining Lead supports daily machining operations by coordinating operator assignments, monitoring production priorities, maintaining schedule flow, and ensuring work is completed safely, accurately, and in alignment with quality and SOP requirements. This role works closely with CNC operators, cell leads, production control, quality, maintenance, and the supervisor to help keep production moving and resolve issues in a timely manner.

Key Responsibilities

• Schedule operators on machines and coordinate daily work assignments with cell leads.
• Ensure hot jobs and priority work orders are actively being worked according to schedule needs.
• Partner with production control on schedule changes, job releases, material needs, and priority updates.
• Create maintenance work orders when equipment issues or repair needs are identified.
• Verify programs are downloaded and available in the system before work begins.
• Review finished jobs, routers, and operator sign‑offs for accuracy and completion.
• Review closed jobs in outgoing work in progress areas to confirm proper documentation, sign‑offs, and completion status.
• Review suspect parts with the quality auditor and support containment, documentation, or escalation as needed.
• Process daily emails, provide timely replies, and communicate production updates to appropriate stakeholders.Complete the daily CNC report and update the production schedule with daily metrics as needed.
• Process production metrics when needed and support accurate reporting of output, efficiency, and schedule progress.
• Attend daily production meetings and communicate key updates, barriers, and support needs.
• Perform quarterly department safety audits and help drive corrective actions when gaps are identified.
• Maintain department inventory of oils, supplies, and related production support materials.
• Monitor the team for policy, safety, quality, and SOP adherence.
• Communicate concerns, barriers, staffing needs, equipment issues, and other items requiring additional support to the supervisor.

Leadership Expectations

• Serve as a first point of support for CNC operators during the shift.
• Promote a safe, organized, and productive work environment.
• Set a positive example by following company policies, procedures, and standard work.
• Support training, coaching, and knowledge‑sharing with team members as needed.
• Escalate issues appropriately and communicate clearly with the supervisor and support teams.

Required Skills And Qualifications

• Strong understanding of CNC machining operations, routers, work orders, production flow, and shop floor expectations.
• Ability to read and follow drawings, procedures, routers, inspection requirements, and production documentation.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to coordinate across operators, leads, supervisors, quality, maintenance, and production control.
• Ability to prioritize work, adjust to changing production needs, and support multiple machines or work centers.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to review schedules, respond to emails, enter or update metrics, and complete required reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years machining experience.
• Previous experience in a lead, trainer, or informal leadership role.
• Experience supporting production metrics, daily reports, schedule updates, and work center performance tracking.
• Experience troubleshooting machining, tooling, documentation, or process‑related issues.Familiarity with maintenance work order systems, production control processes, and quality escalation procedures.

Work Environment

This position operates in a manufacturing environment and requires regular time on the shop floor. The CNC Machining Lead may be required to stand, walk, communicate with operators and support teams, review production documentation, and respond to changing production priorities throughout the shift.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $28.75 hourly rate – $34.88 hourly rate. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job‑related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

A job that shapes a life.

Corning offers you the total package.

Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.

• Company‑wide bonuses and long‑term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
• As part of our commitment to your financial well‑being, we provide a 100% company‑paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning’s total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
• Our health and well‑being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company‑paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an employee assistance program (EAP) to support you and your family.
• Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That’s why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.

We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at [e-mail].