Sr. Optical Applications Engineer

Corning Incorporated; Village of Fairport (NY); On-site; USD 96,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonuses

Long-term incentives

401(k) matching

Health benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Corning Incorporated is hiring a Senior Applications Engineer in the United States (New York area). The role provides technical leadership and customer support for precision optics accounts, interfacing with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams to foster growth and long-term partnerships.

The candidate will develop deep application knowledge, support product qualifications, and address customer inquiries, while leading cross-functional teams to meet business objectives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in applications engineering, product engineering, optical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or related technical roles.
• Experience working directly with customers and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Experience supporting product qualifications, problem solving, and technical issue resolution.

Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of customer applications, product requirements, manufacturing processes, and technology roadmaps to support existing business and identify future opportunities.
• Serve as the primary technical interface for assigned customer accounts, building strong relationships within customer engineering, development, quality, and operations organizations.
• Provide technical support for customer inquiries, product qualifications, quality concerns, product changes, and operational escalations while ensuring timely issue resolution.
• Lead cross-functional teams involving Applications Engineering, Product Engineering, Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and Commercial organizations to address customer needs and achieve business objectives.
• Represent the customer perspective within Corning while effectively communicating technical, operational, and business considerations to customers.
• Analyze product performance, application requirements, customer feedback, and market trends to identify opportunities for product improvements, cost reductions, and enhanced customer value.
• Support new product introductions, customer qualifications, roadmap discussions, and development activities that align customer needs with Corning capabilities.
• Maintain effective communication, documentation, and tracking of customer issues, opportunities, action items, and business risks.

Skills

Optics basics

Customer engagement

Cross-functional

Problem-solving

Communication

Independent worker

Business awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, or related discipline

Master’s degree in Optics or Engineering or Material Science preferred

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: 76573

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

This Senior Applications Engineer is responsible for providing technical leadership and customer support for key Precision Optics accounts while developing deep application knowledge and strong customer relationships. They serve as the primary technical interface between customers and Corning's engineering, manufacturing, quality, and commercial organizations to support business growth, customer satisfaction, product performance, and long-term strategic partnership.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of customer applications, product requirements, manufacturing processes, and technology roadmaps to support existing business and identify future opportunities.
• Serve as the primary technical interface for assigned customer accounts, building strong relationships within customer engineering, development, quality, and operations organizations.
• Provide technical support for customer inquiries, product qualifications, quality concerns, product changes, and operational escalations while ensuring timely issue resolution.
• Lead cross-functional teams involving Applications Engineering, Product Engineering, Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and Commercial organizations to address customer needs and achieve business objectives.
• Represent the customer perspective within Corning while effectively communicating technical, operational, and business considerations to customers.
• Analyze product performance, application requirements, customer feedback, and market trends to identify opportunities for product improvements, cost reductions, and enhanced customer value.
• Support new product introductions, customer qualifications, roadmap discussions, and development activities that align customer needs with Corning capabilities.
• Maintain effective communication, documentation, and tracking of customer issues, opportunities, action items, and business risks.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BS) in Physics, Optical Engineering, or related discipline
• Master’s degree (MS) in Optics or Engineering or Material Science preferred

Work Experience

• 5+ years of relevant experience in applications engineering, product engineering, optical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or related technical roles.
• Experience working directly with customers and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Experience supporting product qualifications, problem solving, and technical issue resolution.
• Semiconductor, optics, photonics, precision manufacturing, or related industry experience preferred.

Required Skills

• Desire to “roll up sleeves” to work directly with customers and internal project teams.
• Strong technical foundation in optics, optical systems, semiconductor applications, precision manufacturing, or related technologies.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively engage technical, commercial, and leadership audiences.
• Strong customer engagement and relationship-building capabilities.
• Ability to coordinate and influence cross-functional teams within a matrix organization.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to translate customer requirements into actionable solutions.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong technical acumen combined with business awareness and customer focus.
• Self-motivated, organized, and capable of working independently with limited supervision.

Desired Skills

• Strong understanding of optics and optical systems.
• Familiarity with semiconductor equipment, metrology, inspection, lithography, or adjacent industries.
• Experience supporting strategic customer accounts in a customer-facing technical role.
• Knowledge of reliability engineering, qualification processes, product lifecycle management, and change management.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects or technical initiatives.
• Familiarity with CRM tools and customer opportunity management processes.
• Ability to identify emerging customer needs, technology trends, and future business opportunities.
• Demonstrated leadership potential and ability to mentor junior engineers or project team members.

Travel

• Up to 25% – Both domestic and international.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $96,254.00 - $132,349.00 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] .