Senior Prototyping Engineer

Scope of Position

• The Senior Prototyping Engineer designs, builds, and coordinates prototypes for optical connectivity solutions used in fiber optic networks. This hands-on role supports a low-volume, development-oriented prototype line and works closely with technicians, engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, customers, and external suppliers.
• The position is responsible for translating product and customer needs into practical prototype designs, materials, tooling, assembly processes, and build plans. The engineer supports fiber optic connector and cable assembly development, process improvement, technical troubleshooting, and transfer of mature solutions to Technology Teams or manufacturing operations.
• Projects may support any Corning division, customer opportunity, or R&D initiative. The role develops and leverages internal and external networks of product experts, suppliers, fabrication shops, contract manufacturers, cable assembly houses, and tooling providers.

Day to Day Responsibilities

• Collaborate with customers, Market Development, Product Line Managers, engineers, technicians, lab managers, suppliers, and supply chain to design, build and deliver prototypes for optical connectivity solutions for fiber optic networks
• Develop prototype designs, build plans, bills of materials, work instructions, process documentation, acceptance criteria, and schedules.
• Lead technical execution of fiber optic connector, cable assembly, and optical connectivity prototype builds and process-development trials.
• Work directly with technicians to provide technical guidance, troubleshoot build issues, clarify process requirements, and improve repeatability.
• Develop and improve processes for fiber optic components
• Coordinate materials, tooling, fabrication, equipment, supplier activity, and prototype delivery timelines.
• Design, specify, and improve fixtures, tooling, equipment, and workstations to support quality, safety, ergonomics, and process consistency.
• Analyze prototype build, inspection, test, yield, and defect data; lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Provide design-for-manufacturability, assembly, testability, and reliability feedback to product and technology teams.
• Engage global manufacturing teams to assess manufacturability and support 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.
• Train technicians on new or revised processes, tools, equipment, and documentation.
• Maintain compliance with safety, ESD, cleanliness, quality, and controlled-document requirements.

Required Qualifications

• BS in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering preferred
• 5+ years of experience in a development or experimental laboratory environment working with electrical/mechanical assembly and testing.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and structured problem-solving ability.
• Experience developing, documenting, troubleshooting, and improving precision assembly or manufacturing processes.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, tolerances, bills of materials, travelers, and test or inspection data.
• Ability to communicate technical ideas clearly through written documentation, presentations, and direct interaction with technical teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, schedules, and deliverables.

Desired Qualifications

• Design products or manufacturing processes using CAD (ProE / CREO Skills a Must)
• Ability to interpret and generate drawings and schematics.
• Familiar with fiber optic theory.
• Project management experience and demonstrated application of project management tools.
• Proactively collaborates throughout an organization and drives technical culture.
• Experience with discrete assembly processing.
• Experience developing processes and parameters.
• Collaboration with internal and external designers.