Prototyping Engineer

Corning Incorporated; Keller (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-wide bonuses

Company-paid pension

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Corning Incorporated is seeking a Prototyping Engineer to design, build, and coordinate prototypes for optical connectivity solutions used in fiber optic networks. You will work hands‑on on a low‑volume development team with technicians and engineers to translate customer needs into tangible prototypes.

The role involves collaborating across manufacturing, quality, and supply chain, developing build plans, and driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering is required.
• 3–5 years in development, lab, or manufacturing with electrical/mechanical assembly and testing.
• Mechanical aptitude and structured problem solving.
• Ability to learn, document, troubleshoot, and improve precision assembly processes.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, tolerances, BOMs, travelers, and test data.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineers, technicians, and suppliers to build prototypes for optical connectivity solutions.
• Develop prototype designs, build plans, materials lists, and acceptance criteria.
• Execute prototype builds and process development trials, leading smaller builds.
• Guide technicians, troubleshoot issues, and escalate complex problems to senior engineers.
• Support development of manufacturing processes and transfer knowledge to teams.
• Capture prototype results, feedback, risks, and potential patent ideas.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Problem solving

Documentation & communication

Technical troubleshooting

Interpreting drawings

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD (ProE/Creo)

Job description

The company built on breakthroughs. Join us.

Requisition Number: 79596. 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. Our Optical Communications segment has recently evolved from being a manufacturer of optical fiber and cable, hardware and equipment to being a comprehensive provider of industry-leading optical solutions across the broader communications industry. This segment is classified into two main product groupings – carrier network and enterprise network. The carrier network product group consists primarily of products and solutions for optical-based communications infrastructure for services such as video, data and voice communications. The enterprise network product group consists primarily of optical-based communication networks sold to businesses, governments and individuals for their own use.

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.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $85,304.00 - $117,293.00 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.

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].