Laser Process Engineer

Corning Inc.; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 103,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonuses

Long-term incentives

401(k) matching up to 4%

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Corning Inc. in North Carolina is seeking a Laser Process Development Engineer/Scientist to advance early-stage laser processes and optical solutions.

The role focuses on hands-on experimentation, prototype development, and data-driven optimization to scale innovative processes across Corning facilities. The candidate will design experiments, develop bench-top and semi-automated stations, and collaborate with AR&D and Research teams to translate laboratory work into scalable manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Photonics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
• 2+ years of experience in laser processing, optics or photonics
• Master's or PhD research may count toward requirement
• Understanding of laser theory, laser platforms, and light-material interaction
• Understanding of optical theory and light propagation
• Hands-on experimental work, troubleshooting, and data interpretation
• Proficiency with MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project)
• Willingness to learn and apply new technologies

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and improve laser-based processes for deployment across Corning facilities worldwide
• Build, refine, and evaluate lab-based benchtop and semi-automated prototypes
• Apply laser theory and optical systems to solve technical challenges
• Design and develop optical systems including free-space optics
• Establish process windows through structured experimentation and analysis
• Develop and execute task plans to meet project objectives and milestones
• Document technical guidelines and best practices for process development
• Collaborate with AR&D and Research teams on cross-functional problems
• Apply structured problem-solving methods (e.g., MEE)
• Analyze experimental data using statistical and process-analysis tools
• Interpret results and recommend actions and follow-ups
• Troubleshoot prototype equipment and tooling
• Document inventions and potential patent concepts
• Design, develop, and test tooling and fixtures for new product development to scale to manufacturing

Skills

Hands-on experimental work

Data interpretation

Analytical problem-solving

Communication

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Photonics Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Physics

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science

Master's or PhD research relevant to laser processing/photonic/automation

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

3D CAD

DOE

SPC

Six Sigma

Minitab

JMP

Excel

Job description

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Internal Corning Employees are provided the opportunity to review global job openings for potential interest. However, they are encouraged to do so with the understanding that whether or not they will be considered a candidate for positions located outside their geographic area (city, country, region) will depend on a number of factors such as the availability of local subject matter expertise or qualified talent, the need to obtain and availability of work authorization, costs associated with internal transfer, etc. It will be the decision of the hiring organization whether to permit employees applying outside the local area where the opening exists to be considered a candidate for that opening. It is recommended employees wishing to apply for job openings at Corning make their supervisor aware of their interest before formally applying.

Scope of Position

Corning is seeking a Laser Process Development Engineer/Scientist to support the early-stage development of advanced laser processes and optical solutions. This role is responsible for developing and improving new and existing laser-based processes through hands-on experimentation, prototype development, optical system design, automation, and data-driven process optimization.

This position is ideal for candidates who enjoy combining strong technical fundamentals with practical experimental execution to create scalable process innovations. We welcome applicants with relevant industry experience as well as candidates whose Master’s or PhD research included direct, hands-on work in laser processing, optics, photonics, automation, or related process development.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and improve laser-based processes for potential deployment across Corning facilities worldwide
• Build, refine, and evaluate lab-based benchtop and semi-automated prototype stations to demonstrate new process concepts
• Apply knowledge of laser theory, laser platforms, optical systems, and light-material interaction to solve complex technical challenges
• Design and develop optical systems, including free-space optics using refractive and reflective components
• Establish process windows and operating ranges through structured experimentation, characterization, and analysis
• Develop and execute task plans to meet project objectives, milestones, and deliverables
• Define and document technical guidelines and best practices for process development activities
• Collaborate with AR&D and Research teams to solve challenging cross-functional technical problems
• Apply structured problem-solving methods, including MEE and other engineering analysis techniques
• Analyze experimental data using statistical and process-analysis tools
• Interpret results and recommend immediate actions, longer-term corrective actions, and follow-up experiments
• Troubleshoot prototype equipment, tooling, and process-related issues
• Document inventions, novel concepts, and technical innovations for potential patent submissions
• Design, develop, and test tooling and fixtures to support new product development from prototyping through high-volume manufacturing

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Photonics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline
• 2+ years of relevant experience in laser processing, optics, photonics, or related process development
• Relevant Master’s or PhD research experience may be considered toward this requirement
• Understanding of laser theory, laser platforms, and light-material interaction
• Understanding of optical theory and light propagation
• Experience with hands-on experimental work, technical troubleshooting, and data interpretation
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to learn and apply new technologies

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant technical field
• Experience designing and building prototype equipment, lab systems, or semi-automated stations
• Experience with SolidWorks, Creo, or similar 3D CAD tools
• Familiarity with controls, instrumentation, and basic programming
• Experience using DOE, SPC, Six Sigma, or other structured process analysis and control methods
• Proficiency with Minitab, JMP, or advanced Excel-based data analysis
• Familiarity with fiber optic theory, optical systems, or photonics applications
• Experience translating laboratory, prototype, or research work into scalable manufacturing processes

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $102,650.00-$141,145.00 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 [e-mail] .