Staff Materials Engineer

Corning Incorporated; City of Corning (NY); On-site; USD 93,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonuses

Pension plan

Health benefits

Paid time off

Employee EAP

Job summary

Corning Inc. is seeking a Staff Materials Engineer in Corning, NY.

This hands-on, lab-based role uses deep expertise in glass science, ceramics, mineralogy, and materials characterization to solve complex technical challenges and guide critical project decisions across engineering and manufacturing teams. You will evaluate new material candidates, investigate material–process interactions, interpret analytical data, and drive solutions that improve product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Materials Science, Geology, Ceramic Engineering, or related field (Master's with 7+ years or PhD with 2+ years).
• Background in glass science, ceramics, mineralogy, or materials characterization.
• Hands-on lab experience with materials characterization techniques.

Responsibilities

• Investigate material and process interactions to drive root cause understanding.
• Apply glass science and mineralogy expertise across project teams from screening to troubleshooting.
• Design and execute characterization analyses (SEM, EDX, optical microscopy) to identify root causes.
• Interpret and communicate experimental findings to engineers, scientists, and manufacturing partners.
• Drive yield improvement, defect reduction, and process efficiency through materials fundamentals.
• Document findings in structured technical reports and advance work from investigation to resolution.
• Manage multiple analytical requests while maintaining data quality and momentum.

Skills

Lab skills

Materials characterization

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Materials Science / Geology / Ceramic Engineering

PhD in related field

Tools

SEM

EDX

Optical microscopy

Electron microprobe

SIMS

ICP-MS

FTIR

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: 77753
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

Corning Incorporated is seeking a Staff Materials Engineer to join our team in Corning, NY. This hands-on, lab-based role includes up to 25% domestic and international travel, and relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

In this role, you'll apply deep expertise in glass science, ceramics, mineralogy, and materials characterization to solve complex technical challenges and guide critical project decisions. Working alongside scientists, engineers, and manufacturing teams, you'll help evaluate new material candidates, investigate material and process interactions, interpret analytical data, and drive solutions that improve product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and technology readiness. From early-stage development through manufacturing support, your technical insights will help transform scientific understanding into practical business impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate material and process interactions through structured problem-solving and hands-on lab work to drive root cause understanding
• Apply glass science and mineralogy expertise across project teams — from early-stage material candidate screening through manufacturing troubleshooting and defect reduction
• Design and execute characterization analyses — including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and optical microscopy — to characterize materials and identify root causes
• Interpret and communicate experimental findings clearly to engineers, scientists, and manufacturing partners
• Drive yield improvement, defect reduction, and process efficiency through applied materials fundamentals
• Document findings in structured technical reports and advance work from investigation through resolution
• Manage multiple concurrent analytical requests while maintaining data quality and project momentum

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Materials Science, Geology, Ceramic Engineering, or a related field — Master's with 7+ years of relevant experience, or PhD with 2+ years of relevant industry or applied research experience
• Background in glass science, ceramics, mineralogy, or materials characterization
• Hands-on lab experience with materials characterization techniques
• Experience in defect analysis, root cause investigation, or process-materials interactions

Desired Qualifications

• PhD with 5+ years of industry experience in glass science, ceramics, or materials characterization
• Hands-on experience with SEM, EDX, and optical microscopy for materials characterization
• Working knowledge of advanced analytical methods such as electron microprobe, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), or Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Experience applying statistical or data-driven methods to interpret experimental results and support technical decisions
• Background in R&D-to-manufacturing scale-up, process troubleshooting, or translating technical findings into manufacturing solutions
• Experience initiating research programs or preparing research proposal documentation

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $92,954.00 - $127,812.00 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].