Optical Engineer

Requisition Number: 79483

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The Specialty Materials segment manufactures products that provide more than 150 material formulations for glass, glass ceramics and fluoride crystals to meet demand for unique customer needs. Consequently, this segment operates in a wide variety of commercial and industrial markets that include display optics and components, semiconductor optics components, aerospace and defense, astronomy, ophthalmic products, telecommunications components and cover glass that is optimized for portable display devices.

Role Purpose

The Optical Engineer is based in Fairport, NY. Corning designs and manufactures the Tropel® brand of high-end, laser-based flatness metrology tools there. These tools measure critical surfaces in many high-technology applications, from semiconductor wafers and lithography photomasks to high-performance rotary seals and hydraulics.

The engineer develops, launches, and maintains metrology systems for demanding applications. To do this, the engineer must become an expert-level user of the current interferometer products. That means understanding the hardware, software, measurement algorithms, and the ways customers use the resulting data. The role covers the full product life cycle: developing next-generation measurement tools, resolving performance and reliability issues, and transferring new technology into manufacturing.

The role is highly collaborative and calls for strong interpersonal and communication skills as well as structured problem solving. It involves substantial hands-on laboratory work, including system prototyping, integration, and experimental characterization. The engineer works regularly with external customers, distributors, and service partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Become an expert-level user of the interferometer product line, with deep working knowledge of the optical hardware, software, measurement algorithms, and customer applications.
• Manage development projects as technical lead, owning workstreams from concept through prototype, qualification, and production release.
• Do hands-on prototyping, troubleshooting, and systems integration of complex opto-mechanical systems. These span optics, precision motion control, sensing, electronics, pneumatics, and software integration.
• Specify, characterize, and qualify laser sources and illumination and fiber delivery subsystems. This includes diagnosing performance at the component level, setting acceptance criteria, and ensuring designs meet laser safety requirements.
• Conduct repeatability, reproducibility, and gauge studies to quantify system performance.
• Provide advanced applications and technical service support for installed systems, both remotely and on site at customer facilities. This often means working through distributors and third-party service organizations.
• Train partner, customer, and internal personnel on installation, operation, and troubleshooting.
• Support the commercial team with the technical content of quotations, customer presentations, system performance specifications, and field upgrade and retrofit programs.
• Work on several projects at once with engineering, development, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial teams. Facilitate and contribute to design reviews, risk assessments (such as FMEA), and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Author design, alignment, test, installation, and service documentation. Manage configuration and design-change records across product generations, and transfer new technology to manufacturing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Optics, or Physics.
• At least 8 years of applicable optical systems-level development and integration experience.
• Experience with precision measurement systems and instrument gauge study methods.
• Working knowledge of surface and form metrology fundamentals, including flatness and figure error, fringe analysis, and phase measurement techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and solve challenging multidisciplinary problems.
• Proven track record of managing multiple ongoing projects and priorities at once.
• Experience translating complex customer requirements into a cohesive set of design specifications.
• Ability to collaborate across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and commercial functions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including writing technical reports, specifications, and procedures, and communicating directly with customers.
• Willingness and ability to work hands-on in a laboratory environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Programming experience. C# is preferred, and others such as Matlab, Python, and C++ are beneficial.
• Travel of 5 to 10%, both domestic and international.

Desired Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with optical interferometry, including alignment, calibration, operation, and interpretation of data from interferometric measurement systems. The posting calls this "highly desired."
• Bachelor's degree in optical, mechanical, electrical, or mechatronics engineering.
• M.S. or PhD in engineering, optics, or physics.
• 12 to 15+ years of industry experience developing optical metrology methods and technologies.
• Experience in semiconductor applications, particularly photomask, wafer, or lithography.
• Experience with laser sources and alignment of both free-space and fiber-coupled optical systems, and familiarity with laser safety practices and standards.
• Experience building measurement error budgets and distinguishing instrument error from true part behavior.
• Experience with robotic systems and robotic control algorithms.
• Familiarity with semiconductor factory automation and handling standards, such as SECS/GEM, SMIF, E84, EDA, and RFID.
• Strong working understanding of GD&T and familiarity with optical fabrication and finishing.
• Experience with optical software analysis tools such as CODE V, LightTools, and FRED.
• A record of invention disclosures, patents, or peer-reviewed technical publications.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.  

The range for this position is $133,911.00 - $184,128.00 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. 

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A job that shapes a life.  

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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 [email protected].