Jobs and Careers

Principal Optical Applications Engineer

Corning

United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 23 Jul 2026

💰 $158,241/yr($115,084/yr – $158,241/yr)

About the role

Requisition Number: 76590

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 Principal Applications Engineer serves as a senior technical leader and strategic customer interface for Corning's Precision Optics business. The role is responsible for developing deep customer and market understanding, shaping technology and product roadmaps, leading cross-functional initiatives, and driving profitable growth with strategic accounts. The successful candidate acts as a trusted advisor to customers while influencing internal business, engineering, manufacturing, and development decisions

Roles and Responsibilities

Serve as the primary technical leader for strategic customer accounts, developing trusted relationships across engineering, operations, and business organizations.
Develop deep understanding of customer applications, technology roadmaps, and market trends to identify growth opportunities and influence business strategy.
Lead cross-functional efforts involving Applications Engineering, Product Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams to deliver customer and business objectives.
Drive resolution of complex technical, quality, operational, and supply challenges while balancing customer requirements with business priorities.
Influence product, technology, and manufacturing roadmaps through customer insights, competitive intelligence, and market knowledge.
Lead technical negotiations involving specifications, qualifications, reliability, product changes, and long-term roadmap alignment.
Analyze product performance, customer requirements, and business trends to identify opportunities for growth, productivity improvements, and enhanced customer value.
Represent the voice of the customer within Corning while effectively communicating technical and business considerations to leadership.
Mentor and develop Applications Engineers while driving adoption of best practices, standard work, and technical excellence.
Represent Applications Engineering in customer reviews, strategic planning activities, and executive-level discussions.