Prototyping Engineer

Scope of Position

• The Prototyping Engineer helps design, build, and coordinate prototypes for optical connectivity solutions used in fiber optic networks. This is a hands-on role on a low-volume, development-oriented prototype team. The engineer works with technicians, engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and external suppliers. Customer interaction happens alongside a Senior Engineer or project lead.
• The position turns defined product and customer needs into prototype designs, materials, tooling, assembly processes, and build plans. It does this under the guidance of senior team members. The engineer supports fiber optic connector and cable assembly development, process improvement, and technical troubleshooting. The engineer also helps hand off solutions to Technology Teams or manufacturing operations.
• Projects may support any Corning division, customer opportunity, or R&D initiative. The engineer begins building an internal and external network of product experts, suppliers, fabrication shops, contract manufacturers, cable assembly houses, and tooling providers.

Day to Day Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineers, technicians, lab managers, suppliers, and supply chain to build and deliver prototypes for optical connectivity solutions. Support Market Development, Product Line Managers, and customers as directed.
• Develop prototype designs, build plans, bills of materials, work instructions, process documentation, and acceptance criteria for defined project scopes. Contribute to schedules.
• Execute technical work on fiber optic connector, cable assembly, and optical connectivity prototype builds and process-development trials. Lead smaller builds and support larger ones.
• Work directly with technicians to give technical guidance, troubleshoot build issues, and clarify process requirements. Escalate complex issues to senior engineers.
• Support development and improvement of processes for fiber optic components.
• Help coordinate materials, tooling, fabrication, equipment, supplier activity, and prototype delivery timelines.
• Design and improve fixtures, tooling, and workstations that support quality, safety, ergonomics, and process consistency. Senior engineers review the work.
• Collect and analyze prototype build, inspection, test, yield, and defect data. Participate in root-cause analysis and corrective actions, and lead them on straightforward issues.
• Provide design-for-manufacturability, assembly, testability, and reliability feedback to product and technology teams.
• Support global manufacturing teams in assessing manufacturability and in technology transfer or initial process implementation.
• Build relationships with internal experts and external fabrication, tooling, equipment, supplier, and contract manufacturing resources.
• Capture prototype results, customer feedback, technical risks, and potentially patentable ideas.

Required Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering
• 3-5 years of experience in a development, experimental laboratory, manufacturing, or comparable environment working with electrical/mechanical assembly and testing. Relevant internships, co-ops, and research or project experience qualify.
• Mechanical aptitude and structured problem-solving ability.
• Ability to learn, document, troubleshoot, and improve precision assembly or manufacturing processes.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, tolerances, bills of materials, travelers, and test or inspection data, or the willingness to develop this skill quickly.
• Ability to communicate technical ideas clearly through written documentation, presentations, and direct interaction with technical teams.

Desired Qualifications

• CAD design skills for products or manufacturing processes (ProE / Creo preferred, or other 3D CAD with willingness to learn).
• Ability to interpret and begin generating drawings and schematics.
• Basic familiarity with fiber optic theory, or interest in learning it.
• Exposure to project management tools and practices.
• Collaborates across the organization and contributes to technical culture.
• Exposure to discrete assembly processing.
• Exposure to developing processes and parameters, for example through coursework, internships, or lab work.
• Collaboration with internal and external designers.