Operations Engineer
Corning · Hickory, NC
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Production
- Base pay
- $82k–$112k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 4 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level production role at Corning (industrial) in Hickory, NC.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, EHS / safety
- Base pay
- $82k–$112k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Production Engineer roles in North Carolina: typical posted base $114k–$166k. This one lists $82k–$112k.
Median of the low and high ends of 12 live postings that list pay, out of 49 production 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 production postings in North Carolina.
- Base pay
- About 31% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 7+)
Typical $114k–$166k, from 11 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 7+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 45%
- Team leadership 45%
- ✓ Six Sigma 31%
- Automation 24%
- ✓ EHS / safety 22%
- Root cause 20%
✓ = 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 Production team at Corning
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find 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.
- 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 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.
- Automation Process Engineer · Controls
- Sr. Controls Engineer · Controls · Senior
- Production Supervisor · Production · Supervisor
- Sr. Process Engineer · Process · Senior
- Laser Process Engineer · Process
- Digital - Lean Engineer · Lean / CI
Full description from CorningAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Provide day-to-day engineering support for assigned manufacturing processes and equipment, troubleshooting process, equipment, quality, and productivity issues using data and engineering fundamentals
- ◆Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions, verify their effectiveness, and maintain process controls, documentation, and standard work
- ◆Identify and execute improvements in safety, quality, yield, throughput, reliability, energy, and cost using statistical analysis and structured problem-solving tools
- ◆Lead technical and capital projects of moderate complexity from definition through implementation, including scope, schedule, cost estimates, business justification, risk assessment, startup, training, and handoff
- ◆Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS), Supply Chain, Finance, and Technology teams; provide clear technical recommendations and escalate safety, quality, or compliance risks
Required Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a directly related technical discipline
- ✓2+ years of relevant manufacturing or engineering experience
- ✓Experience applying data analysis and technical problem solving to manufacturing issues
- ✓Experience executing projects from definition through implementation
Qualifications
- ✓Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience or certification
- ✓Experience leading capital or productivity projects
- ✓Experience with applicable manufacturing processes, controls, or quality systems
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $81,750.00 - $112,406.00 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: 78774
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.
Overview
Corning is seeking an Operations Engineer to provide engineering support to manufacturing operations in Hickory. You will troubleshoot process and equipment issues, drive improvements in safety, quality, yield, and cost, and independently lead technical projects of moderate complexity. The role typically follows a 40-hour week with off-shift or weekend support as business needs require, and minimal travel.
