Optical Metrology Engineer

Corning Incorporated; Village of Fairport (NY); On-site; USD 113,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonuses

Pension plan

Health insurance

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Corning Incorporated in the greater Rochester, NY area seeks an Optical Metrology Engineer to join our team on-site. You will lead metrology programs, develop and validate test methods for ultra-precise optical assemblies, and collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams to deliver custom metrology solutions that support Corning's optical product development.

This role requires a strong background in optics and metrology, experience with interferometry and GD&T, and the ability to transfer tests

Qualifications

• B.S. in Optics or Physics required.
• 5+ years designing instrumentation for testing precision optical components and systems.
• Experience with optical shop phase measuring interferometers and geometrical optics.
• Ability to read optical drawings with GD&T tolerancing specifications.
• Proven ability to lead technical programs from concept to manufacturing transfer.
• Proficiency in Excel.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Technical Lead on new programs; design, integrate, and qualify custom optical metrology equipment.
• Design or specify optical test methods and instrumentation to characterize wavefront, polarization, surface form, and other precision parameters.
• Use in-house and commercial metrology tools to execute measurement programs and assess optical assembly performance.
• Analyze optical component surface maps using Zernike polynomials and asphere models.
• Read and interpret ISO GD&T specifications; apply GD&T principles as required.
• Create, document, and transfer metrology methods and procedures to manufacturing; train staff.
• Provide technical guidance on instrumentation selection and measurement validation across programs.

Skills

Optical metrology

Interferometry

Geometrical optics

Excel

Leadership

Education

B.S. Optics/Physics

M.S. Optics/Physics

Tools

Zygo phase measuring software

MATLAB

Python

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: 78328 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

Corning Incorporated is seeking an Optical Metrology Engineer to join our team in the greater Rochester, NY area. This is a fully on-site role with a standard Monday–Friday day schedule; additional hours may be required during periods of heightened project activity. This role includes approximately 5% domestic and international travel for training, conferences, customer visits, and collaboration with other Corning locations.

This role sits at the intersection of precision optics and advanced instrumentation — responsible for devising, building, and maintaining the test methods and systems that measure and validate ultra-precise optical assemblies. Serving as Technical Lead on new programs, you will partner with multi-disciplinary teams to design, integrate, and qualify custom metrology solutions that are critical to Corning's optical product development pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Technical Lead on new programs; partner with multi-disciplinary project teams to design, integrate, and qualify custom optical metrology equipment
• Design or specify optical test methods and instrumentation to characterize wavefront, polarization, surface form, and other precision parameters of optical assemblies
• Use in-house and commercial metrology tools and software to execute measurement programs and assess optical assembly performance
• Analyze optical component surface maps to assess complex shapes using Zernike and asphere polynomials
• Read and interpret optical drawings containing optical tolerancing and ISO (International Organization for Standardization) specifications; apply [Confirm acronym: source reads "GD&R" — likely GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)] principles as required
• Create, document, and transfer metrology methods and test procedures to manufacturing; train manufacturing personnel on test and measurement execution
• Provide technical guidance on instrumentation selection, capability development, and measurement validation across cross-functional development programs

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Optics or Physics
• 5+ years of experience designing instrumentation for testing precision optical components and systems, including hands-on industrial optical metrology laboratory experience
• Demonstrated experience with optical shop phase measuring interferometers
• Experience with geometrical optics and optical test methods
• Ability to read and interpret optical drawings with [Confirm: GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)] tolerancing specifications
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical programs from concept through manufacturing transfer, managing scope, milestones, and cross-functional coordination
• Able to prepare and deliver technical presentations, test procedures, and written reports for multi-disciplinary teams and customers
• Proficiency in Excel

Desired Qualifications

• M.S. in Optics or Physics
• 10+ years of experience designing instrumentation for testing precision optical components and systems, including hands-on industrial optical metrology laboratory experience
• Experience with interferometry, wavefront sensing, deflectometry, and polarization/polarimetry techniques
• Experience with aspheric measurement methods including sub-aperture stitching, null testing, and CGH (Computer Generated Hologram) design and implementation
• Familiarity with optical and stylus profilometry, roughness measurement, microscopy, gauge studies, and measurement uncertainty assessment
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or other analytical software; experience with phase measuring software from Zygo, 4D, Apre, or QED Technologies a plus

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $112,902.00 - $155,240.00 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].