Senior Process Engineer

Corning Inc.; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 97,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

401(k) matching

Pension

Health benefits

Parental leave

Wellness programs

Recognition program

Job summary

Corning Inc. in Winston-Salem, NC seeks a Senior Process Engineer to lead development, optimization, and design of sustainable manufacturing processes for optical fiber and cable production. The role emphasizes yield, quality, safety, and mentorship of engineers.

You will drive cross-functional improvements, collaborate with suppliers, and guide equipment integration and automation initiatives to enhance reliability and manufacturability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline (Mechanical, Aerospace, Automation, Electrical, or related).
• 5+ years of process engineering experience in optical fiber/cable manufacturing.
• 3+ years leading junior/mid engineers in cross-functional teams.
• 2+ years leading: equipment design, automation, robotics, PLCs, HMIs, servo motors.
• 2+ years applying Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, FMEA, CAPA, 8D, and capability analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product introductions, material trials, and scale-up from pilot to production.
• Drive end-to-end process optimization in a fiber optic cable manufacturing plant.
• Mentor junior engineers and guide cross-functional teams in technical decisions.
• Collaborate with vendors to design and improve equipment and automation.
• Lead equipment design, integration, debugging, qualification, and documentation.
• Analyze manufacturing parameters to improve yield and process capability.
• Lead change management for new equipment and root cause analysis of issues.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to operators and engineers in assigned areas.
• Partner with Quality to resolve non-conformances and drive corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, R&D, Supply Chain, and Engineering to improve reliability and manufacturability.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects and influence manufacturing decisions.

Skills

Process engineering

Leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Data analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Manufacturing optimization

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Automation, Electrical, or related engineering

Tools

JMP

PLC/HMI

Automation equipment

Job description

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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.

Our Optical Communications segment has recently evolved from being a manufacturer of optical fiber and cable, hardware and equipment to being a comprehensive provider of industry-leading optical solutions across the broader communications industry.This segment is classified into two main product groupings – carrier network and enterprise network. The carrier network product group consists primarily of products and solutions for optical-based communications infrastructure for services such as video, data and voice communications. The enterprise network product group consists primarily of optical-based communication networks sold to businesses, governments and individuals for their own use.

Role Purpose

The Senior Process Engineer is a Technical leadership role responsible for leading development, optimization, and designing sustainable manufacturing processes across optical fiber and cable production operations. This leadership role focuses on improving process capability, product quality, yield, throughput, material utilization, and overall operational efficiency while ensuring strict adherence to safety, and quality. The position serves as a technical authority within assigned process areas and plays a key role in driving continuous improvement, supporting new products, process, and equipment introductions. This role also takes management ownership of multiple junior or mid-level engineers for mentoring, guiding, advising, and coaching.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead new product introductions, material trials, and process development activities from pilot through full production scale up.
• Lead and execute end to end process optimization initiatives in a fiber optic cable manufacturing plant.
• Lead a group of junior to mid-level engineers for mentoring, guiding, advising, and coaching.
• Collaborate with vendors’ technical team(s) to design, improve mechanical designs of new equipment involving automation.
• Lead equipment design, integration, debug, improvement, and qualification.
• Analyze manufacturing parameters to improve yield and process capability.
• Lead documentation and change management for new equipment
• Lead mechanistic understanding of manufacturing and equipment-related issues using structured root cause analysis methodologies.
• Provide technical leadership, training, and mentorship to junior engineers, technicians, and operators; serve as subject matter expert for assigned process areas.
• Partner with Quality to resolve non conformances, customer complaints, and internal quality issues through corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Maintenance, R&D, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to improve reliability, process capability, and manufacturability.
• Lead cross functional improvement projects and influence technical and manufacturing decisions.

Working Conditions/Travel Requirements/Hours of work

• This position is based in a manufacturing environment with regular floor presence and requires adherence to PPE and safety procedures.
• Extended hours or travel may be necessary during critical production, troubleshooting, supplier, or benchmarking
• Up to 25% to various manufacturing sites in the division
• 8-10 hours/day; 40-50 hours/week.
• Because this is a senior level role, complete ownership of tasks, projects will be expected; occasional after-hours and weekend activities may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Automation, Electrical, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in process engineering within optical fiber, telecom cable, demonstrating strong knowledge of cable manufacturing processes, polymer extrusion technologies, material behavior, and process control systems.
• 3+ years of demonstrated management experience in leading team of junior or mid-level engineers within cross functional teams; addressing new process development, process improvement, cost saving initiatives, talent development, and mentoring and influencing technical and manufacturing decisions.
• 2+ years experience with leading teams in any of the following: equipment design, automation, robotics, PLC’s, HMI’s, servo motors, process improvement, or material handling
• 2+ years of experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, FMEA, CAPA, 8D, and capability analysis tools focused on safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Leadership training certification (e.g., Dimension of Leadership, Dale Carnegie Training, advanced communication training, or military leadership training)
• 2+ year of experience Data analytics, (JMP preferred)

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $97,286.00-$133,768.00 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 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] .