Operations Engineer
Apply now »Date: Jul 8, 2025
Location: Wilmington, NC, US, 28405
Company: Corning
Requisition Number: 69705
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:
Serves as an operations and technical resource, driving activities in production areas to achieve goals for output, quality, and cost efficiency. Prioritizes schedules based on product needs, equipment performance, and material availability. Receives objectives with defined targets and provides direction to operations staff, technical teams, and trades personnel under established policies and management guidance. Work is reviewed against objectives by management. Regularly interacts with supervisors, technical teams, customers, and peers at all levels, fostering collaboration through presentations and actionable plans, including updates to the FM Section Supervisor. Collaborates on troubleshooting, resource balancing, and securing parts. Iterates departmental project plans monthly and modifies equipment, processes, and documentation to meet project goals.
Job Duties and Essential Functions:
• MIE Led for FM Operations with projects; leads all communication with hourly and A&T workforce.
• Establish effective transfer of new process technologies to manufacturing to delivery cost savings and on time product/process launch.
• Aligns needs and outputs between Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence Team in the implementation and evaluation of development and department experiments.
• Responsible for training of Shift Supervisors in daily operational plans. using technical aptitude.
• Define, manage, and support continuous improvement to identify cost saving opportunities of existing manufacturing processes via equipment efficiency, reliability, and part managements.
• Lead and execute cost reduction projects within the organization: labor efficiency, scrap reduction, equipment capability.
• Align activities with performance, track key metrics, and improve LEAN culture (non-value-added task ID, bottleneck elimination, etc.).
• Engage with Lean Team in their development of tools and data systems to boost decision-making agility for FM leaders at all levels.
• Identify areas of shift-to-shift variation & develop workstreams to create and deliver standard work across all shifts.
• Works with supply chain to ensure 3PP aligns with current wareflow demands.
• Strong engagement with department project portfolio. Develop system to identify projects & ensure continual process towards completion.
• Responsible for creating a safe work environment with Safety Project to ensure Gensuite, Safety Meetings and safety goals are completed.
• Engage with Lean SP to implement lean tools across every operation of FM to resolve any waste or inefficient processes; integrate Lean SP in all projects for the department.
• Leverage special projects to ensure proper ware, tools, and auxiliary equipment are available to achieve stated SMED process on daily basis.
• Coverage of Shift Supervisor position upon request
• Able to provide 24hr coverage to support the operation team.
• Ensure successful onboarding of all M&P and A&T associates that involve training on equipment, processes and data systems used in FM Ops
• Assist Section (Ops) and MET Supervisors (Technical) with dashboard implementation, management, and training of all resources.
• Track performance daily and over time to understand trends and identify opportunities for standardization and improvement.
• Identifying and support closure of performance gaps with FM areas.
• Responsible for maintaining the FM systems necessary to ensure compliance with department certification programs, quality system audit program, and ISO 9000 registration.
• Direct link operations and quality on quarantine and BSA/Cure procedures
Job/Skills/Education Requirements:
• Bachelor’s Degree: mechanical/electrical/controls preferred; not required.
• Technical knowledge/ability, preferably mechanically inclined.
• Relevant work experience: 2-4 yrs. or more documented leadership and technical roles
• Effective communicator across all levels.
• Capacity to learn complex manufacturing process flow and/or equipment systems.
• Strong decision making and prioritization skills.
• High individual initiative, self-management, and emotional intelligence.
• General technical curiosity and capacity to learn complex manufacturing process flow and/or equipment systems.
• Ability to understand tasks/tools/resources required to complete complex jobs and capable of streamlining/improving jobs.
• People management. Ability to lead teams of manufacturing and technical resources.
• Strong team player, capable of effectively engaging with employees at all levels – partnering with resources across multiple groups (associates to plant manager).
• Effective communicator of group initiatives (associates to plant manager).
Hours of Work/Conditions:
• 8-10 hours/day; 40-50 hours/week.
• Rotating on-call schedule; must be able to work nights and weekends as required.
• Supports 24/7 production operation.
• Office and manufacturing floor responsibilities
Travel
• ~5%
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $80,243.00 - $110,335.00 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. The benefits available for this position are dependent on hours worked and may include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, pension plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, and PTO.
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, and career from day one
- As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit that grows throughout your career. We also offer a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions.
- Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, and disease management programs.
- 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.
- 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 peer-to-peer recognition program to celebrate success by recognizing colleagues who demonstrate above-and-beyond behaviors.
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.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To request an accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@corning.com.
Nearest Major Market: Wilmington