Senior Laser Process Engineer / Scientist

Corning Inc.; Hickory, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses and incentives

401(k) matching up to 4%

Health and wellness benefits

Job summary

Corning is seeking a Senior Laser Process Development Engineer/Scientist to drive early-stage laser process development and optical solutions. The role combines deep technical expertise with hands-on experimentation, building prototype stations and translating lab innovations into scalable, manufacturing-ready capabilities.

The position targets engineers/scientists with applied industry experience in laser processing or photonics and a track record of translating research into practical

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Photonics, Optics, Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Materials Science.
• 5+ years in laser processing, optics, or photonics; hands-on lab work preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and data interpretation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize laser-based processes, scaling early-stage concepts to manufacturing-ready capability.
• Build, refine, and troubleshoot benchtop prototype stations and optical systems.
• Plan and execute structured experiments, DOE, root-cause analysis, SPC to solve challenges.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to translate lab work into scalable processes.
• Document work and contribute to IP through reports and development guidelines.

Job description

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Senior Laser Process Engineer / Scientist

Date: Oct 10, 2026

Location: Hickory, NC, US, 28601

Company: Corning

Requisition Number: 76146

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.
• 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 ofrace, 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] .