Automation Controls Engineer

Corning · Concord, NC

Apply on Corning ↗

Level: Engineer
Team: Controls
Base pay: $106k–$146k
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 5+ years
Certification: Green Belt preferred
Industry: Industrial
Posted: 30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at Corning (industrial) in Concord, NC.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree required · Green Belt preferred
Tools it names: Six Sigma, Green Belt, Root cause, PLC, Robotics, Automation
Base pay: $106k–$146k
Day to day: some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in North Carolina: typical posted base $106k–$145k. This one lists $106k–$146k.

Median of the low and high ends of 20 live postings that list pay, out of 51 controls engineer openings in North Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

North Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 50 other live controls postings in North Carolina.

Base pay: In line with similar roles
Experience asked: Typical (5+ years)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Automation 78%
✓ PLC 69%
✓ Robotics 37%
✓ AutoCAD 33%
Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 25%
Team leadership 24%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Six Sigma, Green Belt, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Corning
We found 2 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Scott → (free)
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- The posting mentions a Green Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Corning in Concord

4 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in controls roles at Corning.

Process/Electrical Technician · Reliability · Technician
Shipping Shift MM/MMT (Mechanical Maintenance Tech) · Reliability · Technician
Lean Engineer II · Lean / CI
Facilities Engineer IV · Reliability · Senior

Full description from CorningAs posted on their careers site.Show

requirements

in terms of safety, quality and reliability. Monitor process attributes daily, initiate and verify responses throughout the support chain. Champion continuous improvement activities, including implementation of new technology and fundamental process understanding, in support of cost reduction and quality improvement projects. Seek out and implement cost reduction opportunities. Consult and advise on projects you are not directly involved in and provide coaching / mentoring to others in Automation Engineering. Candidates should be versed in various controls platforms, and electrical engineering principles.

Key Responsibilities

◆Provide electrical controls support for a 24/7 manufacturing environment — troubleshoot complex equipment and process issues, isolate root causes, and validate corrective actions with measurable results
◆Create and manage project plans including scope, schedule, cost estimates, and acceptance criteria for assigned automation engineering projects
◆Track daily production and quality metrics, own key attribute performance, and maintain dashboards and trend tools to support operational decision-making
◆Champion continuous improvement initiatives including new technology implementation, automation upgrades, and cost reduction projects
◆Partner with Operations, IT, Facilities, Project Engineering, and Quality Engineering (QE) teams to resolve equipment issues and drive process performance improvements
◆Coach and mentor automation engineering team members on machine controls, programming, and safe operating practices

Work Location, Hours and Travel

Requirements

✓Location: Concord, NC
✓Standard business hours, Monday–Friday; flexibility required for off-hours.
✓Less than 5% domestic travel in support of project objective

Experiences/Education - Required

✓B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technology degree
✓5+ years of controls or equipment engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
✓Subject matter expertise in Allen Bradley controllers including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), I/O devices, motion control, communication protocols, and field wiring; ability to generate, debug, and modify PLC code in ladder logic and structured text
✓Knowledge of IEC 61131 programming methodology, closed-loop control systems, PID tuning, and AC/DC electrical theory
✓Experience with electro-mechanical devices including servo motors, valves, sensing devices, and conveyors; experience with industrial vision systems and scanning devices
✓Working knowledge of robotics and ability to write and modify Fanuc Teach Pendant programs; ability to generate and interpret electrical drawings using AutoCAD Electrical
✓Familiarity with National Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI standards, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) electrical codes, and lockout/tagout (LOTO) safety procedures

Experiences/Education - Desired

✓Knowledge of Beckhoff TwinCAT
✓Experience leveraging external suppliers and system integrators for process equipment design, build, and integration
✓Experience with data analysis using Microsoft Excel or Access
✓Six Sigma or Performance Excellence training (Green Belt or higher)
✓Knowledge of electrical grounding and shielding principles

Show full description ↓

Requisition Number: 77592

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.

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.

Scope of Role

Corning Incorporated is seeking an Automation Controls Engineer to join our Automation Engineering group in Concord, NC. In this role, your main responsibility is to ensure that complex manufacturing equipment and processes meet daily production

Skills and Comptences

•Identifies root causes of process variation and implements corrective actions with data-driven, measurable outcomes
•Manages multiple projects and priorities effectively in a fast-paced, 24/7 manufacturing environment
•Collaborates across functional teams — Operations, IT, Facilities, Engineering, and QE — to deliver shared equipment and process goals
•Communicates technical findings and project status clearly to engineering peers and plant leadership

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $105,994.00 - $145,743.00 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.