Senior Laser Process Engineer / Scientist

Role Purpose

Corning is seeking a Senior Laser Process Development Engineer/Scientist to drive early-stage development of advanced laser processes and optical solutions. You'll combine deep technical expertise with hands-on experimental execution — designing optical systems, building prototype stations, and translating laboratory innovations into scalable, manufacturing-ready capabilities. This role is well-suited for engineers and scientists with applied industry experience in laser processing or photonics, as well as candidates whose graduate research included direct, hands-on laboratory or process development work.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize laser-based processes for potential deployment across Corning facilities worldwide, scaling early-stage concepts into manufacturing-ready capability.
• Build, refine, and troubleshoot benchtop and semi-automated prototype stations; design optical systems using free-space optics, refractive, and reflective components to support laser process and light-material interaction studies.
• Plan and execute structured experiments to establish process windows, characterize laser-material interactions, and apply analytical methods — including Design of Experiments (DOE), root cause analysis, and Statistical Process Control (SPC) — to solve complex technical challenges.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Applied Research and Development (R&D), Research, and engineering teams to translate laboratory work into scalable processes.
• Document technical work and capture intellectual property through reports, process development guidelines, and patent submissions.

Experiences/Education - Required

• Graduate degree (Master's or PhD) in Photonics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in laser processing, optics, photonics, or related process development; graduate research with direct, hands-on laboratory work in these areas may be considered.
• Working knowledge of laser theory, laser platforms, and light-material interaction.
• Working knowledge of optical theory and light propagation, including optical system behavior and components.
• Hands-on experimental experience, including building or operating lab setups, troubleshooting technical issues, and interpreting experimental data.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable engineering decisions.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including experience documenting experiments and presenting findings to technical audiences.

Experiences/Education - Desired

• PhD in Photonics, Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Experience with optical modeling software such as COMSOL, Zemax, or Python-based simulation platforms.
• Proficiency with 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools (SolidWorks, Creo, or similar) and statistical analysis platforms (Minitab, JMP, or advanced Excel).
• Familiarity with controls, instrumentation, and basic programming for process automation.
• Experience applying DOE, SPC, Six Sigma, or other structured process analysis methods to development or manufacturing challenges.
• Background in one or more of: automation and process development, prototype or semi-automated station design, fiber optics and photonics applications, or translating research into scalable manufacturing processes.