Automation Process Engineer

Requisition Number: 79630

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

As an Automation Process Engineer working in development, you will define how next-generation automated manufacturing processes must work. You will develop deep technical understanding of an assigned set of critical functions within a station, process area, or related sequence of operations, and translate that understanding into clear process requirements that guide concept selection, internal development, and downstream supplier implementation. You will use engineering judgment, mechanistic reasoning, modeling, simulation, analogy to similar systems, and targeted experimentation to mature process understanding and reduce downstream risk. A major portion of this work is performed before production equipment exists and before empirical operating data is available. By the end of process development, you will be responsible for ensuring that your assigned scope is sufficiently understood and validated, and that a clear process specification exists defining what the production system must be designed to achieve.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop deep technical understanding of an assigned set of critical functions within a station, process area, or related process sequence.
• Define how material is transformed, positioned, presented, constrained, transferred, sequenced, measured, and verified through the automated process.
• Generate and evaluate automation concepts from a process perspective and contribute to concept down-selection.
• Identify the key technical unknowns that must be resolved to support concept selection and process maturity, and close those gaps through expert input, engineering analysis, modeling, simulation, comparison to similar systems, and targeted experimentation.
• Define process requirements within assigned scope for material transformation, critical measurement, critical material handling, station-level interfaces, sequencing, timing, tolerances, operating windows, and process-related controls performance.
• Define station-level requirements for logistical material handling - transport, presentation, transfer, timing - that broader system handling must satisfy.
• Support internal development by providing clear process requirements and reviewing technical outputs against process success criteria.
• Tune, adjust, and align prototype and development equipment as needed to mature the process - using provided controls, software settings, hand tools, and alignment fixtures.
• Convert validated learning into the process requirements and specifications that drive production system design and supplier implementation.
• Participate in review of supplier-proposed concepts and hardware selections where they affect the assigned scope.
• Document assumptions, risks, requirements, and validated learning clearly enough to be used by systems engineers, discipline engineers, and integrators.
• Be a model for safe work practices, ensuring a safe environment for colleagues.
• Travel up to 15%, typically in concentrated periods every 1–2 years.

Experiences/Education - Required

• BS in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, Industrial, or Automation Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Relevant experience or coursework in engineering mechanics, automation, manufacturing systems, process development, equipment engineering, applied physics, or related technical work.
• Demonstrated analytical problem-solving ability, including the ability to reason from first principles, analogy, engineering analysis, and limited data.
• Comfortable making hands-on adjustments to prototype and development equipment - using provided controls, software interfaces, hand tools, and alignment fixtures - or willingness to develop these skills.
• Strong technical curiosity and ability to learn unfamiliar processes quickly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including documentation, requirements, and diagrams.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional engineering teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Experiences/Education - Desired

• Advanced degree in a relevant technical discipline.
• Familiarity with material handling, station sequencing, timing analysis, or process characterization.
• Understanding of tolerancing, alignment sensitivity, repeatability, and mechanical error budget concepts.
• Exposure to automated manufacturing systems, pilot systems, advanced equipment development, precision automation, or high-speed automation environments.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for engineering analysis or simulation.
• Familiarity with structured experimentation methods such as DMAIC, DOE, MEEs, Six Sigma, or equivalent.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $68,243.00 - $93,835.00 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.

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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 accommodations@corning.com.