Senior Process Engineer
Corning · Hickory, NC
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Process
- Base pay
- $95k–$131k
- Travel
- 25%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior process role at Corning (industrial) in Hickory, NC. Corning's Optical Communications division is seeking a Materials Engineer to lead raw material cost reduction initiatives for optical cables on a global scale.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Minitab
- Base pay
- $95k–$131k
- Day to day
- about 25% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Process Engineer roles in North Carolina: typical posted base $88k–$120k. This one lists $95k–$131k.
Median of the low and high ends of 23 live postings that list pay, out of 49 process 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 48 other live process postings in North Carolina.
- Base pay
- About 9% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $88k–$120k, from 22 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 43%
- Six Sigma 43%
- Lean 27%
- SPC 24%
- Team leadership 24%
- FDA / GMP 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
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 Process team at Corning
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 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 Christopher → (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?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- The posting says about 25% travel. Between which sites?
- 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 Hickory
17 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in process roles at Corning.
- Automation Process Engineer · Controls
- Operations Engineer · Production
- Sr. Controls Engineer · Controls · Senior
- Production Supervisor · Production · Supervisor
- Sr. Process Engineer · Process · Senior
- Laser Process Engineer · Process
Senior Process Engineer at Corning in other locations
Corning lists this title in 3 places. Pick the plant you can get to.
- Newton, NC · $97k–$134k
- Winston-Salem, NC · $97k–$134k
Full description from CorningAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Lead regional and global materials projects targeting raw material cost reduction, improved process consistency, and maintained or enhanced product quality
- ◆Assess material change implications on quality architecture; drive early identification of specification changes and coordinate cross-functional engagement and implementation
- ◆Partner with Technology Materials, Division Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to understand raw material specifications and develop alternate and substitution material roadmaps
- ◆Solve manufacturing process issues through data analysis, structured experimentation, and collaboration with subject matter experts
- ◆Document and communicate lessons learned and technical insights across organizational boundaries and manufacturing sites
Location, Work Hours and Travel
Requirements
- ✓Location: Hickory, NC
- ✓Hours of work/work schedule/flex-time : 8 hours/day; 40 hours/week
- ✓Travel: Up to 25% to various manufacturing sites in the division (Includes both domestic and international travel)
Experiences/Education - Required
- ✓Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials, Chemical, Mechanical, or Polymer Engineering.
- ✓5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment
- ✓Demonstrated ability to apply scientific methodology and data-driven analysis to diagnose and resolve complex manufacturing problems
- ✓Proficiency in data analysis and statistical tools, including Microsoft Excel, Access, and Minitab or equivalent
Experiences/Education - Desired
- ✓Experience synthesizing data from multiple sources to establish and communicate technical direction
- ✓Experience leading cross-functional engineering or materials projects with accountability for measurable business outcomes
- ✓Knowledge of manufacturing cost accounting
- ✓Project management experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $95,402.00 - $131,179.00 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.
- ✓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.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Requisition Number: 78255
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's Optical Communications division is seeking a Materials Engineer to lead raw material cost reduction initiatives for optical cables on a global scale. In this role, you will apply materials expertise and engineering rigor to improve manufacturing processes, develop material substitution roadmaps, and deliver measurable cost and quality outcomes
