Controls Engineer: PLC Automation & Smart Systems

Corning Inc.; Painted Post (NY); On-site; USD 71,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonuses

401(k) with company match

Pension plan

Health benefits and wellness programs

Paid time off and parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Corning Inc. near Painted Post, NY is seeking an entry‑level Controls Engineer to help design, implement, test and improve PLC-based automation and process machine systems.

This early career role requires travel to Corning manufacturing facilities and involves hands-on hardware and software problem solving. You will contribute to control architectures, program and troubleshoot PLC/HMI/SCADA solutions, and document electrical controls while ensuring safety and reliability.

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or closely related technical field.
• Zero to two years of electrical, controls, automation, manufacturing, or related engineering experience.
• Solid understanding of fundamental electrical engineering principles.
• Strong technical curiosity, logical problem solving ability, and willingness to learn quickly.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Familiarity with programmable logic controllers, microcontrollers, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, or similar hardware and controls technologies.
• Familiarity with one or more software technologies, such as C#, Java, Python, C, C++, or related programming environments.
• Ability to travel extensively based on project needs.
• Ability to work in the United States without current or future immigration sponsorship and meet export control eligibility requirements.
• Manufacturing experience or desire to work in a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to PLC programming, HMI development, SCADA, industrial automation, electrical controls, or systems integration.
• Familiarity with Rockwell, Allen Bradley, Siemens, or similar controls platforms.
• Experience with sensors, actuators, drives, robotics, instrumentation, industrial networking, or electrical schematics.
• Experience with commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, or maintenance of industrial equipment.
• Knowledge of control theory, control strategies, or PID control loop tuning.
• Familiarity with version control, code documentation, testing practices, digital twins, simulation tools, or virtual commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Support engineering project teams delivering automation and process machine systems for Corning manufacturing facilities and processes.
• Work with project teams to resolve automation and project related issues while developing an understanding of technical and process requirements.
• Participate in the development of control architectures, control functional specifications, and system integration requirements.
• Design, program, troubleshoot, and improve PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems for industrial automation applications.
• Use AI tools to support PLC code, logic sequences, function blocks, alarms, and documentation; review and validate output to ensure safety, reliability, and compliance.
• Create and maintain electrical and controls documentation, including I/O lists, sequences of operation, and functional descriptions.
• Perform system integration with sensors, actuators, drives, robots, and third party equipment.
• Conduct simulation, commissioning, startup, onsite troubleshooting, and technology transfer activities.
• Optimize existing PLC programs for safety, performance, maintainability, and downtime reduction.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, maintenance, and project teams to deliver automation solutions and support plant personnel as needed.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Electrical theory

Automation

Team collaboration

C/C++/Java

Controls platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field

Tools

SCADA software

PLC programming tools

Job description

Corning Inc. near Painted Post, NY is seeking an entry‑level Controls Engineer to help design, implement, test and improve PLC-based automation and process machine systems.

This early career role requires travel to Corning manufacturing facilities and involves hands-on hardware and software problem solving. You will contribute to control architectures, program and troubleshoot PLC/HMI/SCADA solutions, and document electrical controls while ensuring safety and reliability.