Senior Automation Engineer

Role Purpose Corning's PE Department is moving CPO (co-packaged optics) products from development into mass production, and many critical steps are still manual and operator-dependent. This role builds and owns the automation that makes high-volume ramp possible. What Makes This Role Attractive? This is your chance to build the automation backbone for one of the most important technologies in AI data centers - co-packaged optics - right as it moves from the lab to mass production. You will own projects end to end, from the first concept sketch to equipment running on the line, and see your work show up directly in yield, cycle time, and customer delivery. You will work side by side with NPI, process, and equipment experts, and with Corning's global R&D and engineering teams, backed by 170+ years of innovation in glass, ceramics, and optical physics. The role is highly visible to senior management and offers a clear growth path toward Automation Lead, Equipment Engineering Manager, or broader engineering leadership, with competitive total rewards and global career opportunities across 40+ countries. Key Responsibilities • Lead automation projects for CPO NPI and production lines, from concept, specification, and vendor selection through installation, qualification (FAT/SAT, IQ/OQ/PQ), and handoff to manufacturing. • Design and improve automated processes for precision optical assembly, such as active/passive fiber alignment, adhesive dispensing, UV curing, pick-and-place, and automated optical inspection. • Develop and maintain equipment control and vision software (PLC, motion control, robotics, machine vision) to improve accuracy, cycle time, and uptime. • Partner with NPI, process, quality, F&M teams and equipment vendors to solve technical issues and ensure equipment is safe, reliable, and maintainable. • Create and maintain automation documentation - equipment specs, SOPs, drawings, PM plans - and train engineers and technicians on new equipment. Experiences/Education - Required • Bachelor's degree or above in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Control/Automation, Computer Engineering, or a related field. • 3+ years of experience in manufacturing automation, equipment engineering, or automation integration in high-tech manufacturing (optical communication, semiconductor packaging, electronics, or precision assembly). • Programming skills in Python, C#, or LabVIEW for equipment control, data acquisition, or engineering tools. • Think at the full-line level - consider how an automation change affects upstream/downstream steps, quality, maintenance, and people - not only a single station. • Plan and run several automation projects in parallel with clear milestones, budgets, and vendor follow-up, and own results measured in yield, CT, and uptime. • Good English communication skills, written and spoken, for working with global teams and overseas equipment vendors. Experiences/Education - Desired • Experience applying AI/ML in manufacturing (e.g., vision-based defect detection) or using simulation to validate automation concepts. • Bring creative, low-cost ideas (jigs, semi-automation, poka-yoke) when full automation is not yet justified; Lean / Six Sigma Green Belt or above is a plus.