Job Information
Corning Incorporated Technical Project Leader- Process & Systems Engineering in Hickory, North Carolina
Technical Project Leader- Process & Systems Engineering
Date: Apr 8, 2026
Location: Painted Post, NY, US, 14870Hickory, NC, US, 28601
Company: Corning
Requisition Number: 74367
*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.
Corning’s businesses are ever-evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets. We are changing the world with:
Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives
Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected
Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light
Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences
Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation
Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions
Role Purpose
Lead the development and scale-up of complex manufacturing processes and systems, enabling advanced technologies to transition from research and development into reliable, production-ready manufacturing. This role integrates process engineering with systems-level thinking to deliver solutions that are robust, scalable, and repeatable across manufacturing environments.
Key Responsibilities
Lead technical execution of manufacturing process and system development from early concept through manufacturing readiness.
Define end-to-end process architectures, including process flow, equipment requirements, controls interfaces, and quality checkpoints.
Apply systems engineering principles to ensure alignment across process design, equipment capability, controls, and manufacturing operations.
Identify technical risks and tradeoffs early and drive resolution through structured analysis and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Partner closely with process, mechanical, controls, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure solutions are designed for scale.
Support pilot builds, process validation, and ramp-up into manufacturing, ensuring knowledge transfer and long-term operability.
Required Experience & Attributes
Strong background in designing, integrating, and scaling manufacturing processes—not just individual components or tools.
Demonstrated ability to work across technical domains (process, mechanical, controls, quality, manufacturing) to deliver integrated solutions.
Technical credibility that enables broad influence across teams, functions, and partner organizations.
Experience transitioning technologies from R&D or pilot environments into manufacturing.
Comfortable operating in complex, evolving technical environments with incomplete information.
Communicates effectively with team members and leadership, influencing cost- and quality-focused recommendations to support efficient decision-making.
Must be available for significant travel, primarily domestic, to multiple locations to support business needs. International travel could be required as well.
Preferred Capabilities
Minimum Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline
8+ years of applied engineering experience in process engineering, systems engineering, or advanced manufacturing environments. Will consider less years of experience with advanced degree
Experience with high-precision, automated, or high-throughput manufacturing processes.
Familiarity with process modeling, capability analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
Experience working with external equipment suppliers or integrators to develop production systems.
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
What Differentiates Success in This Role
Process-First Mindset: Designs systems around stable, capable processes rather than equipment alone.
Systems Thinking: Anticipates interactions across process steps, equipment, controls, and operations.
Scalability Focus: Engineers solutions that perform reliably beyond the pilot or prototype stage.
Influence Through Expertise: Builds alignment and momentum through sound technical judgment and credibility.
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $97,286.00 - $133,768.00 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.
*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.co m .
Nearest Major Market: Corning