Engineer, Vacuum Equipment Systems & Controls

Corning Inc.; City of Corning (NY); On-site; USD 71,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonuses

Pension plan

Health & wellness benefits

Recognition program

Paid time off

Job summary

Corning is seeking an early-career Vacuum Equipment Systems and Controls Engineer in Corning, NY to design, program, and integrate control systems for advanced vacuum and thin film processing equipment.

You will work on PLC/HMI programming, automation, and systems integration, collaborating with cross-functional teams in both cleanroom and non-cleanroom settings. This role offers hands-on exposure to sputtering, CVD, and related technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical/Controls engineering or related field.
• 0–5 years of experience; internships or co-ops acceptable.
• Foundational PLC programming knowledge on major platforms.
• Exposure to HMI development and operator interface design.
• Knowledge of systems integration including sensors, motion control, and industrial comms.
• Familiarity with electrical schematics and wiring documentation.
• Experience with CAD tools such as AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN or SolidWorks Electrical.

Responsibilities

• Develop, program, and maintain PLC-based control systems, including logic design and commissioning.
• Design and support HMI interfaces for safe and reliable operation of equipment.
• Lead systems integration across sensors, instrumentation, motion control, and vacuum subsystems.
• Support design, modification, and upgrade of vacuum and thin film processing equipment.
• Integrate equipment controls with facility systems like power, cooling, gases, and exhaust.
• Perform testing, diagnostics, and debugging of control systems.
• Document changes, software updates, wiring details, and test results.
• Provide technical support and training on control systems.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Systems integration

Electrical CAD

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

SolidWorks Electrical

SolidWorks

Job description

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Date: Sep 21, 2026

Location: Corning, NY, US, 14831

Company: Corning

Requisition Number: 78149

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

Role Purpose

The Vacuum Equipment Systems and Controls Engineer supports Corning’s R&D environment by designing, programming, and integrating control systems for advanced vacuum and thin film processing equipment. This early-career role is centered on PLC/HMI programming, automation, and systems integration, with hands‑on exposure to vacuum deposition and related technologies such as sputtering, plasma etching, and CVD. The role partners with cross‑functional teams to translate process and equipment needs into reliable, safe, and effective control solutions in both cleanroom and non‑cleanroom settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, program, and maintain PLC-based control systems, including logic design, I/O configuration, and commissioning
• Design and support HMI/operator interfaces for safe and reliable control of equipment and process sequences
• Lead systems integration across sensors, instrumentation, motion control, vacuum components, and related subsystems
• Support design, development, modification, and upgrade of vacuum and thin film processing equipment
• Integrate equipment controls with facility systems such as electrical power, cooling water, process gases, and exhaust
• Perform operational testing, troubleshooting, diagnostics, and control‑system‑level debugging
• Improve automation, process control, safety interlocks, repeatability, and equipment performance
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and technicians to translate process needs into practical control and equipment solutions
• Document equipment changes, software updates, wiring details, I/O, procedures, and test results
• Provide technical support and training on equipment control systems
• Work safely in cleanroom and non‑cleanroom environments and support continuous improvement efforts

Experiences/Education - Required

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Controls/Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related discipline
• 0–5 years of related experience; internships, co‑ops, and academic project experience applicable
• Foundational knowledge of PLC programming such as Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, or similar platforms
• Exposure to HMI development and operator interface design
• Understanding of systems integration principles including sensors, instrumentation, motion control, and industrial communication
• Exposure to electrical schematics, control panel design, and wiring documentation
• Familiarity with electrical CAD tools such as AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, SolidWorks Electrical, or similar
• Exposure to mechanical CAD tools such as SolidWorks or similar
• Understanding of integrating facility systems such as electrical, cooling water, gases, and exhaust into equipment design
• Ability to support testing, troubleshooting, diagnostics, and debugging on equipment systems
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary R&D setting

• Internship, co‑op, or professional experience in controls engineering, automation, or systems integration
• Exposure to vacuum equipment or thin film processing technologies such as sputtering, plasma etching, CVD, or related coating systems
• Exposure to semiconductor, fiber optic, optical packaging, or related high‑tech equipment environments
• Experience working in cleanroom and non‑cleanroom settings
• Willingness and aptitude to learn vacuum and thin film technologies in a hands‑on engineering role

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is$70,818.00-$97,375.00 assuming full time status. 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 ofrace, 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] .