Automation Process Engineer
About The Position
As an Automation Process Engineer in development at Corning’s Optical Communications segment, you will define how next-generation automated manufacturing processes must work. You will build deep technical understanding of critical functions within an assigned station, process area, or sequence of operations, then translate that understanding into process requirements that guide concept selection, internal development, and supplier implementation. The work includes developing process understanding before production equipment and empirical operating data are available. You will apply engineering judgment, mechanistic reasoning, analysis, modeling, simulation, comparison with similar systems, and targeted experimentation to resolve technical unknowns and reduce downstream risk. By the end of development, you will ensure that your assigned scope is sufficiently understood and validated and that a clear process specification defines what the production system must achieve. The role requires collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams and clear documentation of requirements, assumptions, risks, and validated learning. The position includes travel up to 15%, typically in concentrated periods every 1–2 years, and does not support immigration sponsorship.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree 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 reasoning from first principles, analogy, engineering analysis, and limited data.
- Comfort 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.
Nice To Haves
- 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.
Responsibilities
- Develop deep technical understanding of assigned 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 and resolve technical unknowns through expert input, engineering analysis, modeling, simulation, comparison with similar systems, and targeted experimentation.
- Define process requirements for material transformation, critical measurement and handling, station-level interfaces, sequencing, timing, tolerances, operating windows, and process-related controls performance.
- Define station-level logistical material-handling requirements for transport, presentation, transfer, and timing.
- Support internal development by providing clear process requirements and reviewing technical outputs against process success criteria.
- Tune, adjust, and align prototype and development equipment using provided controls, software settings, hand tools, and alignment fixtures.
- Convert validated learning into process requirements and specifications that drive production system design and supplier implementation.
- Participate in reviews of supplier-proposed concepts and hardware selections that affect the assigned scope.
- Document assumptions, risks, requirements, and validated learning for use by systems engineers, discipline engineers, and integrators.
- Model safe work practices and help ensure a safe environment for colleagues.
- Travel up to 15%, typically in concentrated periods every 1–2 years.
Benefits
- Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives.
- 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions.
- Matching contributions to the 401(k) savings plan.
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- Paid parental leave and family building support.
- Fitness benefits.
- Company-paid life insurance and disability benefits.
- Disease management programs.
- Paid time off.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Recognition program celebrating successes and rewarding exceptional contributions.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
