Digital - Lean Engineer
Apply now »Date: Oct 14, 2026
Location: Hickory, NC, US, 28601
Company: Corning
Requisition Number: 78777
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 Position:
The Digital / Lean Engineer improves manufacturing performance by integrating digital technologies, data analytics, automation, and Lean Manufacturing methods. The role leads improvement initiatives of moderate complexity and partners with Operations, Engineering, IT, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Finance to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and employee effectiveness.
Digital and Data Solutions:
• Develop and deploy dashboards, reporting tools, automated workflows, and digital solutions that address defined operational needs.
• Translate business requirements into practical, scalable, secure, and supportable solutions in partnership with IT and system owners.
• Improve data visibility, integrity, usability, and decision support.
• Document solutions, controls, ownership, access, training, and sustainment requirements.
Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
• Plan and facilitate improvement activities using methods such as Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Visual Management, 5S, SMED, Kanban, flow, pull, and problem solving.
• Identify waste, constraints, and performance losses using process observation and data analysis.
• Develop implementation plans, track actions, verify results, and support sustainment.
Project and Change Leadership:
• Lead digital and Lean projects of moderate complexity from definition through implementation.
• Develop project scope, schedules, benefit estimates, risks, stakeholder plans, and training.
• Promote adoption through employee engagement, coaching, communication, and change-management practices.
Governance and Collaboration:
• Follow applicable cybersecurity, data privacy, access control, change management, record retention, and intellectual property requirements.
• Partner with Finance and process owners to validate projected and realized benefits
Measures of Success:
• Verified safety, quality, delivery, productivity, or cost improvement
• Digital solution adoption, reliability, usability, and sustainment
• Lean capability and employee participation
• Project delivery and validated benefit realization
• Compliance with data governance, cybersecurity, and change-control requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Data Analytics, or a related technical field.
• 1-3 years of relevant manufacturing, digital or analytics experience
Preferred Qualifications:
• Operations Experience
• Lean Six Sigma certification.
• Experience with Power BI, SQL, Python, SAP, MES, workflow automation, AI tools, or industrial data systems.
• Experience deploying digital manufacturing or operational excellence solutions.
Work Requirements:
• Travel: Up to 10%
• Schedule: Typically 40 hours per week with off-shift or weekend support as business needs require.
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $86,197.00 - $118,521.00 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.com.
Nearest Major Market: Hickory