Sr. Controls Engineer

Company: Corning

The company built on breakthroughs.
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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.

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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.

Corning's Optical Fiber and Cable division is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, and commissioning of advanced automation systems for fiber manufacturing and cable processing equipment. This is a senior‑level, project‑driven role at the forefront of manufacturing automation — driving innovation in process control, material handling, and system integration that directly impacts product quality, safety, and throughput across Corning's fiber and cable operations.

• Lead end‑to‑end automation projects from concept through commissioning and production start‑up, delivering integrated control systems — including PLCs, motion control, robotics, and vision systems — that meet performance, safety, and quality requirements.
• Design and implement control solutions for fiber and cable manufacturing processes, including process control, material transformation and handling, measurement and inspection systems, and fail‑safe/recovery sequences.
• Define control logic, analog/digital I/O requirements, system architectures, and functional safety requirements, including Safety Integrity Level (SIL) or Performance Level determination, design, and validation.
• Interface with external system integrators and machine builders to specify and deliver robust, cost‑effective automation systems; develop specifications, validate concepts through testing, and ensure systems meet performance requirements.
• Provide production support, lead continuous improvement initiatives, mentor engineers and technicians in controls and system design, and collaborate cross‑functionally with process engineering, IT, and operations teams.

Hours of work/work schedule/flex‑time: 8am - 5pm

25% in North America. Limited international travel may be required.

Location: Concord, NC, Wilmington NC or Hickory, NC, Charlotte (Midland), NC

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, or an applicable discipline with demonstrated controls/electrical aptitude
• 8+ years of equipment/controls engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience with Allen Bradley controllers — PLC, I/O devices, motion control, communication protocols, and field wiring
• Ability to generate, debug, and modify PLC code, including ladder logic
• Experience with machine functional safety design, including Safety Integrity Level (SIL) or Performance Level determination and validation
• Working knowledge of 6‑axis robotics; ability to write and modify Fanuc Teach Pendant programs
• Experience with industrial vision systems and scanning devices
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical for generating and interpreting electrical drawings
• Demonstrated…