Development Scientist

Corning•City of Corning, NY

4d•$102,650 - $141,145•Onsite

About The Position

Corning is seeking an Equipment Engineer to join the Laser Processing Technologies team within Optical Physics Research & Development at Sullivan Park in Corning, NY. This onsite role supports the development, operation and improvement of laser-processing equipment and laboratory infrastructure used in research and process-development work. From custom-built laser benches to larger industrial laser systems, this team brings together complex mechanical, electrical, cooling, motion-control, and safety systems to advance laser-processing capabilities. You will partner with scientists, technicians, facilities, safety stakeholders, suppliers, and internal customers to solve equipment challenges, improve lab readiness, and support the safe delivery of technical projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field with 3+ years of relevant experience; or high school diploma/GED or associate degree plus 5+ years of significant hands-on experience in equipment engineering, equipment design, maintenance, troubleshooting, or technical process development.
Hands-on experience troubleshooting complex equipment involving mechanical, electrical, controls, cooling, utilities, or process systems.
Ability to lead root-cause investigations, develop practical corrective actions, and drive follow-through across multiple equipment or project priorities.
Strong documentation, organization, project-coordination, technical problem-solving, and communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with technicians, engineers, scientists, facilities teams, safety partners, suppliers, and leadership.
Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices, including contributing to risk reduction, safety improvements, or compliance in a laboratory, manufacturing, or technical setting.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Teams.

Nice To Haves

5+ years of relevant equipment engineering, technical-development, or complex equipment-support experience.
Experience supporting laser systems, motion controls, water chillers, laboratory equipment, or custom-built technical systems.
Experience with capital equipment installation, startup, qualification, upgrades, or long-term maintenance planning.
Experience with equipment/system design, mechanical drawings or CAD, vendor management, spare-parts strategy, or technical capability building.
Experience supporting research, development, pilot-scale laboratory, manufacturing, or process-development environments.

Responsibilities

Lead troubleshooting, repair, preventive maintenance, and performance improvements for laser systems and related lab equipment to strengthen reliability, uptime, and operational readiness.
Design, source, build, test, install, start up, and qualify equipment benches and supporting systems, including mechanical, electrical, controls, motion, cooling, and safety components.
Drive root-cause investigations and corrective actions for equipment reliability, process, and safety issues.
Coordinate equipment priorities, project activities, timelines, resources, and follow-up actions in support of lab and customer needs.
Partner with scientists, technicians, engineers, facilities, safety stakeholders, suppliers, and vendors to resolve technical issues and deliver equipment improvements.
Maintain equipment, maintenance, project, process, and safety documentation; standardize maintenance routines, troubleshooting methods, and safe operating practices.
Support capital planning, equipment upgrades, spare-parts strategy, and long-term equipment sustainability; provide technical guidance to technicians and other team members.