Quality Engineer
Apply now »Date: May 14, 2026
Location: Newton, NC, US, 28658
Company: Corning
Requisition Number: 74935
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.
The Quality and Continuous Improvement Engineer drives process improvements by leading and supporting projects and engaging the organization to adopt Continuous Improvement (CI) tools and techniques for achieving Total Quality; provides technical support to the overall deployment of CI initiatives in support of the CI Plan; drives Quality initiatives in support of the plant’s Quality Strategy with specific support of Lean and Green Belt projects; works to strengthen the Product Quality Architecture within the plant by driving fundamental understanding to positively influence the Quality Management System. Reports up through Quality.
Duties & Responsibilities:
• Lead and support projects to deliver significant operational performance improvements, process control, and cost reduction.
• Provide day-to-day problem-solving support to operations and engineering
• Collaborate and motivate others to establish a sense of urgency for continuous improvement principles to drive results.
• Assist the organization to identify cost critical processes, determine customer requirements, measure and assess their performance, and enable them to be improved via CI tools.
• Work with leadership to identify, prioritize, resource, and manage opportunities for improvements.
• Interface with operators, team leaders, process engineers and peers to identify and implement improvements to our Quality Management System
• Lead efforts to streamline process audits while maintaining achieved certifications from standards bodies
• Perform multiple execution activities to accomplish project objectives while balancing the project’s competing demands, scope, time and cost.
• Build/update communication plans that build understanding and buy-in for the case for action to integrate CI, i.e., value stream, budgeting, CI planning.
• Supplement process improvements with Lean or Six Sigma tools where appropriate.
• Lead and Support process validation activities as needed.
• Lead by example; demonstrate lean leadership in day-to-day processes such as decision-making, personal behaviors, and effective use of meetings.
• Drive sustainable culture change while embedding lean as the standard way of working across the operation.
• Lead, support, coach, and develop a pipeline of continuous improvement leaders.
• Understand internal and external customer’s stated and implied needs as well as insuring their expectations are met every time by monitoring, maintaining, supporting and continuously improving plant quality systems.
• Track and report on critical quality metrics. Alert appropriate levels to trends and critical quality issues.
• Interface with various levels of plant and division management regarding quality and quality-related actions (Product Line Management, Engineering, Sales, Customer Service, Scheduling, Production, Inter-Plant, Inter-Division).
Required Skills:
• Six Sigma Green Belt certified
• Experience in areas of Six Sigma, Lean or other Problem-Solving methodologies
• Applied knowledge of statistical analysis including histogram, Pareto, correlation, hypothesis tests, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Capability analysis and Measurement System Analysis (MSA).
• Applied knowledge in Lean concepts such as value chain, flow, pull and tools commonly used to eliminate waste, including kaizen, 5S, error-proofing, value-stream mapping, etc.
• Applied knowledge of quality engineering principles such as Voice of Customer (VOC), Voice of Process (VOP), risk analysis, control plans, sampling plans, financial proforma (verification of cost impact) and good documentation practices.
Desired Skills:
• Six Sigma Black Belt certified
• Demonstrated project management excellence with a strong track record of results
• Excellent team facilitation/leadership skills and teamwork/collaborative style
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation skills
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines and handle multiple/detail-oriented tasks
• Proficiency with key PC software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, etc.)
• Strong interpersonal skills including facilitation, consulting, coaching and influencing
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization
• Ability and passion to create vision and drive change
• Working knowledge of Performance Excellence, DMAIC, DESGN
Required Education/Experience:
• BS degree in Engineering; 3+ years of experience working in manufacturing
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $80,011.00 - $110,016.00 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