Sr. Process Engineer

Corning Incorporated; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Corning Incorporated in North Carolina is seeking a Process Engineer to drive manufacturing excellence through process optimization and data-driven decision making. You will independently manage technical projects, support day-to-day production needs, and collaborate across functions to resolve manufacturing challenges.

The role emphasizes transfer of new products and technologies into production, ensuring safety, quality, and reliability while improving costs and performance.

Qualifications

• Strong engineering fundamentals and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with data analysis and process capability.
• Ability to troubleshoot processes and equipment.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily technical support to manufacturing operations to ensure safe, stable, and efficient production.
• Lead troubleshooting for process, equipment, quality, and productivity issues.
• Analyze manufacturing data to identify trends, establish process capability, and improve performance.
• Lead capital and productivity projects from concept through implementation.
• Coordinate equipment design, procurement, startup, qualification, training, and sustainment.

Skills

Engineering fundamentals

Process improvement

Technical problem solving

Data analysis

Statistical analysis

Project execution

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Minitab

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: 78060 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.

Scope Of Position

The Process Engineer drives manufacturing excellence through process optimization, technical problem solving, equipment improvements, and implementation of new technologies. The role applies engineering principles and data-driven decision making to improve safety, quality, productivity, cost, and reliability. The Process Engineer independently manages technical projects, supports day-to-day production needs, and collaborates across functions to resolve complex manufacturing challenges. The position also supports the transfer of new products, materials, and technologies into production while ensuring sustainable, repeatable processes.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Support

• Provide daily technical support to manufacturing operations to ensure safe, stable, and efficient production.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for process, equipment, quality, and productivity issues.
• Analyze manufacturing data to identify trends, establish process capability, and improve operational performance.
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions in partnership with production teams.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and execute improvements focused on safety, quality, yield, throughput, reliability, and cost reduction.
• Use structured problem-solving methods and scientific method to develop, test, and validate solutions.
• Develop process controls that improve consistency and capability.
• Drive continuous improvement through data analysis and employee engagement.

Project Leadership

• Lead capital and productivity projects from concept through implementation.
• Prepare business cases, cost estimates, financial justifications, and capital funding requests.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, spending forecasts, risks, and documentation.
• Coordinate equipment design, specification, procurement, installation, startup, qualification, training, spare-parts planning, and sustainment.
• Ensure projects achieve safety, operational, quality, and financial objectives.

Technology and Product Transfer

• Support the transfer of new products, materials, technologies, and processes from development into manufacturing.
• Partner with Technology, Development, Maintenance, Quality, and Operations to ensure manufacturing readiness.
• Develop implementation plans and validate repeatability and process capability before production release.
• Create and maintain Manufacturing Instructions, Standard Operating Procedures, Preventive Maintenance plans, calibration requirements, and related technical documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with operators, technicians, team leaders, maintenance personnel, quality engineers, and plant leadership to implement improvements.
• Build technical capability by sharing knowledge, providing coaching, and promoting engineering best practices.
• Foster a culture of safety, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Experience Requirements

• Three to five years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience supporting production processes, equipment improvements, or continuous improvement initiatives preferred.

Required Skills

• Strong engineering, process improvement, and technical problem-solving fundamentals.
• Data analysis, statistical analysis, and manufacturing process capability skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot processes and equipment and translate findings into sustainable solutions.
• Ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries and integrate cross-functional solutions.
• Strong project execution, planning, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Results orientation, accountability, and the ability to learn new technologies and processes quickly.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant engineering data-analysis tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Minitab or similar statistical software.
• Experience with structured problem-solving methods such as DMAIC, PDCA, A3, or 8D.
• Knowledge of extrusion, cable manufacturing, polymer processing, UV-curable technologies, or related manufacturing processes.
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent experience.
• Capital project management experience, including cost estimation, planning, and execution.
• Experience with automation, control systems, PLC programming, or industrial networking.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methods.

Leadership And Professional Skills

• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and technology organizations.
• Engaging, open, and effective interpersonal style.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.