Digital - Smart Factory Lead - Cables Digital Transformation
Date: Sep 11, 2026
Location: Newton, NC, US, 28658
Company: Corning
Requisition Number: 77771
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 Role:
Corning is seeking a Smart Factory and Manufacturing Technology Lead to own the digital manufacturing technology strategy for our Cables Division. Based in Hickory, NC, this role drives the multi-year Industry 4.0 roadmap across a multi-site plant network - leading technology investment decisions, authoring reference architectures, and partnering with IT on connected-asset strategy and operational technology security. This is a high-visibility, business-side technology leadership role with direct exposure to division leadership and a real opportunity to shape how Corning's Cables manufacturing operations evolve.
Key Responsibilities:
Own and evolve the multi-year smart factory and Industry 4.0 technology roadmap - covering edge compute, industrial connectivity, machine vision, robotics, and condition monitoring - across the Cables plant network
Author and steward reference architectures and reusability standards that guide plant-level digital projects and central IT builds
Partner with central IT on operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) convergence architecture and OT security posture across manufacturing sites
Lead technology scouting, vendor evaluations, and proof-of-concept governance for emerging manufacturing technologies including industrial AI, computer vision, and autonomous material handling
Personally lead high-priority smart factory deployments and serve as a technical resource to plant digital teams on architecture and technology decisions
Provide technology strategy input to division leadership and portfolio prioritization; represent the division in corporate manufacturing technology forums
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing), Information Technology, or related field - or equivalent combination of education and experience
10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, industrial IT, digital manufacturing, or smart factory roles, with meaningful experience in a multi-site manufacturing environment
Demonstrated experience owning or leading an Industry 4.0, smart factory, or digital manufacturing roadmap across multiple production sites
Working knowledge of industrial connectivity, edge compute, OT/IT convergence, and industrial network architecture
Working knowledge of OT security principles and experience partnering with IT on connected-asset cybersecurity
Working knowledge of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) platforms, data historians, and manufacturing analytics platforms
Demonstrated experience with emerging manufacturing technologies including machine vision, cobots, industrial robotics, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) / Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), and condition monitoring
Experience conducting technology scouting, vendor evaluations, and proof-of-concept governance
Experience developing reference architectures and technology standards for multi-site deployment
Willingness to travel to manufacturing sites approximately 30-40% of the time
Desired Qualifications:
Familiarity with Lean / Continuous Improvement methodologies
Familiarity with industry standards for manufacturing systems architecture, including ISA-95 and ISA-88
Six Sigma certification
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $133,278.00 - $183,257.00 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.
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, Corning provides company matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan of up to 4% of pay when you contribute at least 6% of pay.
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.
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.
Nearest Major Market: Hickory