Optical Coating Process Engineer II

Corning Incorporated; Village of Fairport (NY); On-site; USD 84,832 - 116,782; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses and incentives

Pension plan

401(k) matching

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Parental leave

Job summary

Corning Incorporated in Fairport, NY is seeking a Coating Process Engineer II to own and improve optical thin film coating manufacturing processes in the Coating department. The role focuses on process capability, stability, yield, and cost, with data-driven problem solving and cross-functional collaboration.

You will support production operations, drive improvements, and assist technology transfer into manufacturing, while documenting changes and training staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science discipline (Optical Science/Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical, Ceramic, Mechanical).
• 5+ years of optical thin film coating manufacturing/production support experience.
• Strong problem solving and structured diagnostic abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to train stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day production support by troubleshooting excursions, root-cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.
• Sustain and optimize manufacturing processes using existing assets; monitor metrics to improve stability and throughput.
• Use and improve metrology methods to monitor process capability and identify trends.
• Define and improve cleaning, material handling, and storage procedures with proper documentation.
• Lead continuous improvement projects to reduce cost and variation with data-driven results.
• Create and maintain specs, work instructions, and training for new/changed processes.
• Collaborate with Commercial and Development Engineering to extend capabilities and support tech transfer.
• Work with suppliers and customers to qualify equipment and respond to issues.

Skills

Problem solving

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science

Tools

Statistical tools (DOE)

Metrology techniques

Six Sigma

Job description

The company built on breakthroughs. Join us. Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Requisition Number: 76704. The company built on breakthroughs. Join us. Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.

How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations– not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward.

At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.

Come break through with us.

Corning’s Businesses Are Ever-evolving To Best Serve Our Customers, Industries, And Consumers. Today, We Accelerate And Transform Life Sciences, Mobile Consumer Electronics, Optical Communications, Display, Automotive, And Solar Markets. We Are Changing The World With

• Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives
• Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected
• Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light
• Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences
• Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation
• Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions

Role Purpose

The Coating Process Engineer II owns and improves optical thin film coating manufacturing processes in Fairport’s Coating department. The role provides day-to-day engineering support to production operations with a focus on process capability, stability, yield, and cost, while building from established designs and standard work. This engineer applies structured problem solving, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to resolve process issues, implement sustainable improvements, and support technology transfer into manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day production support by troubleshooting process excursions, performing root-cause analysis, and driving corrective/preventive actions.
• Sustain and optimize manufacturing processes using existing production assets; monitor key metrics and implement actions to improve stability, yield, and throughput.
• Use, improve, and standardize metrology methods to monitor process capability; analyze data to identify trends and prevent defects.
• Define and improve cleaning, material handling, and storage procedures within the coating process flow, ensuring appropriate documentation and adherence to change control.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement projects to reduce cost and variation (cycle time, complexity, scrap), with clear problem statements, data, and verified results.
• Create and maintain documentation (specs, work instructions, control plans) and deliver. training to production staff for new/changed processes.
• Partner with Commercial and Development Engineering to extend capabilities and support technology transfer into manufacturing, including trials, qualification, and ramp support.
• Partner with suppliers to improve raw materials and work with customers to qualify additional equipment and respond to complaints.

Required Experience And Education

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering or Science discipline (Optical Science/Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering).
• 5+ years of experience in optical thin film coating (UV/visible preferred) manufacturing/production support, or related vacuum coating process experience.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and structured problem solving to diagnose root cause and drive corrective actions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document process changes and train stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of Statistical/6-Sigma/DOE tools and hypothesis-driven troubleshooting; able to apply data analysis to improve yield, throughput, and stability.
• Comfortable working with and influencing stakeholders across levels (operators/technicians through engineering and leadership) to implement sustainable solutions.
• Ability to work effectively on a multi-disciplinary team (Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Development) and manage multiple priorities.

Desired Skills

• Demonstrated experience implementing and improving process capability and control systems (SPC, Cp/Cpk).
• Experience applying problem solving, statistical process control and continuous improvement methodologies: Performance Excellence, DMAIC, Lean, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, data analysis, or others.
• Track record of cycle time reduction, yield improvement, and rework elimination.
• Previous experience in technical manufacturing and process support.

Hours of Work

• First shift production hours, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.
• Evening and weekend support as needed.

Travel Requirements

• Less than 5%. Travel may include training, networking opportunities, and occasional customer or supplier visits.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $84,932.00 - $116,782.00 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.

• 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.

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].