Optical Scientist / Engineer
CorningAbout the role
Requisition Number: 75192
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
Corning Incorporated is hiring an Optical Scientist/Engineer in Corning, NY. This is a full-time onsite role that typically works Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week, with flexibility as needed to support project objectives. Occasional travel may be required, primarily domestic, with international travel included as needed to support cross-site collaboration and customer engagements. Relocation assistance is available.
If you're a photonics scientist who can't help but ask why — who takes fundamentals and pushes them further instead of just executing the assignment — Corning is where you do it. This position sits within Corning's optical products development team at our Sullivan Park R&D site, where you'll lead the development and characterization of co-packaged optics, advanced optical measurement systems, and fiber-optic subsystems shaping the future of data communications. You'll design and run experiments, build novel test platforms, and partner with global R&D, manufacturing, and customers to turn cutting-edge optics into deployable technology. If you bring deep technical curiosity, a willingness to challenge assumptions, and the drive to expand what's possible in photonics — this role delivers.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and characterize next-generation optical technologies, with emphasis on co-packaged optics, optical measurement methods, or fiber-optic components and subsystems.
- Design, execute, and analyze experiments to evaluate optical performance, system behavior, and reliability.
- Build and refine optical test setups, measurement techniques, and data analysis tools for photonic and fiber-optic applications.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across Research, Development, Manufacturing, and Product Line organizations to move projects from concept to implementation.
- Partner with global colleagues to support technology development, integration, and scale-up.
- Engage directly with customers to understand requirements, communicate findings, and shape solutions.
- Document innovations through invention disclosures, technical reports, and presentations.
- Stay current on industry trends in optical interconnects, photonics, and data communications.
Minimum Qualifications and Skills
- Ph.D. in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.
- Minimum 5 years of post-academic experience in optical technology development, photonics, or fibe
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