Mechanical Engineering Lead - Automation and Equipment
About The Position
Corning is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Lead - Automation and Equipment to join the Digital and Automation team in Charlotte, NC. This senior, hands-on role combines leadership of small project teams with active technical involvement. Relocation support is available, and the position requires approximately 50% travel, primarily domestic, depending on project needs such as vendor support, equipment builds, testing, and other project activities. This position supports the development and deployment of advanced manufacturing automation equipment—from early concept and mechanical design through vendor build, testing, troubleshooting, and implementation. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in custom automation or precision equipment design, along with the ability to lead cross-functional engineers, manage technical project work, and work directly with external equipment vendors and suppliers to deliver reliable automation solutions.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.
- 8+ years of experience in automation engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing equipment engineering, or a closely related field.
- Experience developing manufacturing automation equipment through design, build, testing, integration, troubleshooting, and implementation.
- Experience leading small technical or cross-functional project teams.
- Experience working directly with external equipment vendors or suppliers on equipment design, build, testing, and delivery.
- Mechanical design experience using CAD software such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, or similar tools.
- Experience with precision motion and automation components, such as servo motors, stepper motors, linear actuators, sensors, and/or robotics.
Nice To Haves
- Previous direct people-management experience or strong experience mentoring junior engineers.
- Experience integrating mechanical, electrical, controls, and software components into complete automation systems.
- Familiarity with PLCs, HMIs, robotics, controls, Python, MATLAB, C++, FEA, and/or CFD tools.
- Experience in custom machine building, industrial automation, precision manufacturing, robotics, or similar equipment-intensive environments.
Responsibilities
- Lead small multidisciplinary project teams—including mechanical, electrical, controls, and software engineers—to deliver automation equipment projects from concept through implementation.
- Partner with external equipment vendors and suppliers to define requirements, review designs, support equipment builds and testing, and resolve technical issues.
- Design and integrate precision automation equipment using CAD, motion systems, actuators, sensors, robotics, and other mechanical/electrical components.
- Troubleshoot and improve equipment performance to meet manufacturing, reliability, safety, and precision requirements.
- Mentor junior engineers and provide technical direction across both larger team projects and smaller individual projects.
Benefits
- Relocation support
- Company-wide bonuses
- Long-term incentives
- 100% company-paid pension benefit
- Matching contributions to 401(k) savings plan
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Family building support
- Fitness
- Company-paid life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Disease management programs
- Paid time off
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Recognition program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
