Staff Mechanical Engineer, Automation & Equipment Design

Date: Sep 28, 2026

Location: Painted Post, NY, US, 14870

Company: Corning

Requisition Number: 74823

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.

Corning’s Manufacturing, Technology and Engineering division (MTE) is recognized as the leader in engineering excellence & innovative manufacturing technologies by providing diverse skills to Corning’s existing & emerging businesses.

We anticipate & provide timely, valued, leading edge manufacturing technologies and engineering expertise. We partner with Corning’s businesses and the Science & Technology division. Together we create and sustain Corning’s manufacturing as a differential advantage.

Role Purpose

Corning Incorporated is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer, Automation & Equipment Design to join our Automation Equipment Design group at Sullivan Park in Corning, NY. This is an onsite role with travel that is project dependent and typically ranges from 25%–75% based on project phase. Travel is heaviest during vendor build check-ins, equipment installation, and production start-up, and may include international travel.

In this role, you will help solve challenging mechanical engineering and automation problems by designing, building, and installing equipment for Corning’s manufacturing plants. From a concept sketch to equipment running on a production floor, you will work on a range of projects—including custom machine design, automation systems, robot cells, conveyors, and material-handling equipment. Whether your strength is detailed mechanical design or guiding complex equipment projects from specification through commissioning, this role offers the opportunity to do both.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver custom process machines and automation systems that solve a range of mechanical engineering and manufacturing challenges, including robot cells, AGVs, conveyors, material-handling equipment, and specialized mechanical tooling; develop concepts, create CAD models and construction drawings, and follow builds through as-built documentation.
• Define machine design specifications, error budgets, tolerance analyses, and proof-of-concept test plans; evaluate data and make engineering recommendations
• Specify and manage external vendors and system integrators — from design review and build oversight through site acceptance and factory installation
• Lead or support on-site commissioning, production start-up, and plant operator training at Corning manufacturing facilities
• Collaborate with cross-functional manufacturing teams to translate process requirements into mechanical system designs that perform reliably in production
• Track project budgets and schedules; report status to internal stakeholders on a defined cadence

Minimum Qualifications and Skills

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related
• 8+ years of experience taking integrated machine and automation systems through the full design, build, and installation cycle in a manufacturing environment
• Proficiency in 2D/3D CAD, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), and ANSI Y14.5 drafting standards
• Hands-on experience with robot cells, AGVs, conveyors, or material handling systems — from design specification through commissioning
• Familiarity with electro-mechanical drive systems, fluid power, pneumatics, part sensing, and machine safety standards
• Experience managing external vendors or system integrators through at least part of the design, build, or integration process
• Ability to travel 25%–75% based on project phase, including potential international travel

Desired Qualifications and Skills

• 10 - 15+ years of experience delivering fully integrated machine and automation systems from design through factory installation
• Experi…