Vacuum Systems Controls Engineer: PLC/HMI & Automation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses and incentives

Pension plan

Health benefits

Paid parental leave

401(k) and retirement matching

Employee recognition program

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Corning Incorporated is seeking an Vacuum Equipment Systems and Controls Engineer to design, program, and integrate control systems for advanced vacuum and thin film processing equipment. The role emphasizes PLC/HMI programming, automation, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced R&D setting.

The successful candidate will work with cross-functional teams to translate process needs into reliable control solutions, supporting both cleanroom and non-cleanroom environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Controls/Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering Technology, or 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.

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.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Systems integration

Electrical CAD

Mechanical CAD

Teamwork

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

SolidWorks Electrical

SolidWorks

Job description

Corning Incorporated is seeking an Vacuum Equipment Systems and Controls Engineer to design, program, and integrate control systems for advanced vacuum and thin film processing equipment. The role emphasizes PLC/HMI programming, automation, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced R&D setting.

The successful candidate will work with cross-functional teams to translate process needs into reliable control solutions, supporting both cleanroom and non-cleanroom environments.