Sr. Process Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonuses

Pension plan

Healthcare benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

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

The role emphasizes safety, quality, productivity, and cost reduction, with opportunities to transfer new products and technologies into production.

Qualifications

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

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 and improve process capability.
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions with production teams.
• Lead capital and productivity projects from concept through implementation.

Skills

Problem-solving

Data analysis

Process optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Project execution

Communication

MS Office

Tools

Minitab

DMAIC

PDCA

A3

8D

PLC programming

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.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ability to provide and receive constructive coaching and feedback.
• Initiative, adaptability, sound judgment, and independent decision making.

Measures of Success

• Improved process capability, reliability, and operational performance.
• Safe, timely, and effective delivery of capital and continuous improvement projects.
• Reduced manufacturing losses and sustainable cost improvements.
• Successful implementation and transfer of new technologies into production.
• Strong partnerships across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and Technology.
• Robust, repeatable, documented, and scalable manufacturing processes.

Work Requirements

• Travel, less than 10%
• Schedule, typically 8-5 with off shift and weekend support as needed

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] .