Sr. Controls Engineer

Corning•Concord, NC

5d•$105,994 - $145,743•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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 ability to manage external system integrators and machine builders through design, build, and system integration
Strong project management skills with experience leading automation and controls-focused projects in a matrixed team environment

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of ANSI standards, NFPA, and NEC electrical codes
Knowledge of structured text programming
Working knowledge of data analysis using Microsoft Excel and Access
Performance Excellence training — Green Belt certification or higher
Experience managing machine builders through later-stage system implementation

Responsibilities

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.