Senior Laser Process Engineer / Scientist

Corning Inc.; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-wide bonuses

401(k) match

Health benefits

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Corning is seeking a Senior Laser Process Development Engineer/Scientist to drive early-stage laser process development and optical solutions. You will design and build prototype stations, translate lab innovations into scalable manufacturing capabilities, and collaborate across R&D and engineering teams.

The role requires a graduate degree and 5+ years in laser processing or photonics, with strong analytical and communication skills. Immigration sponsorship is available.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a technical field with lab-focused research or hands-on work in laser processing, optics, or photonics.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in laser processing, optics, photonics, or related development; graduate research may count.
• Strong knowledge of laser theory, platforms, and light-material interaction.
• Understanding of optical theory, propagation, and system behavior.
• Hands-on experience building or operating lab setups and interpreting data.
• Ability to translate data into engineering decisions and communicate results clearly.
• Experience applying DOE, SPC, Six Sigma, or similar methods to development challenges.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize laser-based processes for potential deployment across Corning facilities, scaling concepts to manufacturing‑ready capability.
• Build, refine, and troubleshoot benchtop and semi-automated prototype stations; design optical systems to support laser studies.
• Plan and execute structured experiments to establish process windows and characterize laser-material interactions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Research and engineering teams to translate lab work into scalable processes.
• Document technical work and contribute to patent submissions and process guidelines.

Skills

Laser processing

Optics

Photonics

DOE

SPC

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Master’s or PhD in Photonics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or Materials Science

PhD in Photonics, Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science

Tools

COMSOL

Zemax

Python-based simulations

SolidWorks / Creo

Minitab / JMP

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.

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.

Role Purpose

Corning is seeking a Senior Laser Process Development Engineer/Scientist to drive early-stage development of advanced laser processes and optical solutions. You'll combine deep technical expertise with hands‑on experimental execution — designing optical systems, building prototype stations, and translating laboratory innovations into scalable, manufacturing‑ready capabilities. This role is well‑suited for engineers and scientists with applied industry experience in laser processing or photonics, as well as candidates whose graduate research included direct, hands‑on laboratory or process development work.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize laser‑based processes for potential deployment across Corning facilities worldwide, scaling early‑stage concepts into manufacturing‑ready capability.
• Build, refine, and troubleshoot benchtop and semi‑automated prototype stations; design optical systems using free‑space optics, refractive, and reflective components to support laser process and light‑material interaction studies.
• Plan and execute structured experiments to establish process windows, characterize laser‑material interactions, and apply analytical methods — including Design of Experiments (DOE), root cause analysis, and Statistical Process Control (SPC) — to solve complex technical challenges.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Applied Research and Development (R&D), Research, and engineering teams to translate laboratory work into scalable processes.
• Document technical work and capture intellectual property through reports, process development guidelines, and patent submissions.

Experiences/Education - Required

• Graduate degree (Master's or PhD) in Photonics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in laser processing, optics, photonics, or related process development; graduate research with direct, hands‑on laboratory work in these areas may be considered.
• Working knowledge of laser theory, laser platforms, and light‑material interaction.
• Working knowledge of optical theory and light propagation, including optical system behavior and components.
• Hands‑on experimental experience, including building or operating lab setups, troubleshooting technical issues, and interpreting experimental data.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable engineering decisions.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including experience documenting experiments and presenting findings to technical audiences.

Experiences/Education - Desired

• PhD in Photonics, Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Experience with optical modeling software such as COMSOL, Zemax, or Python‑based simulation platforms.
• Proficiency with 3D Computer‑Aided Design (CAD) tools (SolidWorks, Creo, or similar) and statistical analysis platforms (Minitab, JMP, or advanced Excel).
• Familiarity with controls, instrumentation, and basic programming for process automation.
• Experience applying DOE, SPC, Six Sigma, or other structured process analysis methods to development or manufacturing challenges.
• Background in one or more of: automation and process development, prototype or semi‑automated station design, fiber optics and photonics applications, or translating research into scalable manufacturing processes.

This position supports immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $119,542.00 - $164,370.00 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].