Sr. Controls Engineer
Corning · Hickory, NC
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $106k–$145k
- Travel
- 15%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 4 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Corning (industrial) in Hickory, NC. Debug, modify, and improve new and existing equipment to support development activities.
- They ask for
- 8+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- PLC, Robotics, Automation, AutoCAD, MES
- Base pay
- $106k–$145k
- Day to day
- about 15% travel
- Openings
- 2 with this title at this site
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–$145k.
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
- More than usual (8+ vs 5+)
Typical $106k–$145k, from 19 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 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.
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 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?
- The posting says about 15% 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 · 2 people we found in controls roles at Corning.
- Automation Process Engineer · Controls
- Operations Engineer · Production
- Production Supervisor · Production · Supervisor
- Sr. Process Engineer · Process · Senior
- Laser Process Engineer · Process
- Digital - Lean Engineer · Lean / CI
Sr. Controls Engineer at Corning in other locations
Corning lists this title in 2 places. Pick the plant you can get to.
- Wilmington, NC · $106k–$145k
Full description from CorningAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate process
requirements
into control system designs, methodologies, and documentation that ensure process quality.
- ✓Produce clear controls architecture documentation to communicate
requirements
to internal teams, external partners, and vendors.
- ✓Interface with vendors to evaluate and select components that meet equipment development needs.
- ✓Develop robust code to deliver required functionality for equipment under development.
- ✓Design intuitive PC-based Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) that provide effective machine control and operator feedback.
- ✓Partner with internal IT resources to implement network connectivity and permissions that support equipment functionality.
- ✓Debug, modify, and improve new and existing equipment to support development activities.
- ✓Work closely with mechanical designers and controls technicians to resolve issues and guide best practices.
- ✓Coordinate with controls resources to keep hardware, software, and related documentation aligned through change management processes.
- ✓Design and execute test plans to validate equipment performance and prepare written reports summarizing results.
- ✓Perform safety analyses and compliance assessments to identify risks and ensure adherence to applicable standards, policies, and regulatory requirements.
Experiences/Education - Required
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Physics, Optics, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
- ✓6–8 years of engineering or manufacturing experience, with strong experience in automation controls, PLC/HMI programming, industrial instrumentation, machine integration, motion control, automated inspection, test systems, or related manufacturing applications
- ✓Experience leading technical projects, workstreams, or major automation system elements in a cross-functional engineering and manufacturing environment preferred
- ✓Experience with Omron, Allen-Bradley, or Siemens controls hardware and programming
- ✓Experience with motion control systems or robotics.
- ✓Experience developing detailed controls system architecture definitions and supporting documentation.
- ✓Experience specifying, selecting, and configuring compatible controls hardware for complete control systems.
- ✓Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, supported by advanced data analysis.
Experiences/Education - Desired
- ✓Experienced in the preparation of controls drawings using AutoCAD or EPlan
- ✓Experience writing PC based applications in C++ or similar languages.
- ✓Experience producing controls systems that interface with SCADA and MES systems.
- ✓Experience in performing machine safety analysis.
- ✓Proficient with Ladder Logic and Structured Text programming.
- ✓Experience working with large, geographically diverse project teams.
- ✓Proficient in the use of MS Office (Excel, Word, Project, PowerPoint).
- ✓Strong understanding of computer operating systems.
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $105,622.00 - $145,231.00 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
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Requisition Number: 78896
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.
Role Purpose
Sr. Controls Engineer analyzes user requirements, process design, and mechanical equipment design to develop controls architecture for automated systems. This role works closely with engineers and technicians to define and conduct experiments that support process technology development and solution design. The position also collaborates with internal and external subject matter experts to support project objectives and technical problem-solving, while applying controls theory to solve complex process control and monitoring challenges
Additional Information
- •Location: Hickory, NC
- •Work Hours/Work Schedule: 40+hours/week, Off shift support required as per the project's need.
- •Travel: Approximately 15%, including some international travel
