Materials Scientist, Microscopy

Corning•Wilmington, NC

2d•$67,150 - $92,331•Onsite

About The Position

Corning is seeking a Materials Scientist or Materials Engineer, Microscopy, to join our Optical Communications team in Wilmington, NC. In this role, you will apply advanced microscopy and materials characterization techniques to investigate failures, identify root causes, and deliver actionable insights that drive product quality and process improvement across manufacturing, product development, and customer support organizations. This is a hands-on, technically rigorous role for a scientist or engineer who thrives at the intersection of analytical chemistry, materials science, and applied problem-solving in a laboratory and manufacturing environment.

Requirements

B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, Geology, Chemistry, Metallurgical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, or a related discipline
Experience with one or more microscopy techniques — optical microscopy, SEM, EDS, CLSM, or equivalent
Hands-on experience with microscopy sample preparation techniques including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching, and sputter coating
Demonstrated ability to apply and adapt established analytical techniques to investigate complex materials and failure analysis problems
Ability to communicate technical findings clearly through written reports and direct consultation with engineering and scientific stakeholders
Ability to manage and prioritize sample workload across concurrent assignments to meet customer timelines
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and use basic mechanical tools; must be able to work in laboratory and manufacturing environments

Nice To Haves

Direct SEM/EDS experience including interpretation of compositional data
Knowledge of material deformation, fracture mechanics, fractography, and/or structure-property relationships
Background in glass, ceramics, or metallurgy
Strong spatial reasoning and materials interpretation skills
Manual dexterity and fine motor skills for precise sample preparation and handling
Experience working across organizational levels and disciplines to achieve technical objectives
Experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced laboratory environment
Experience supporting equipment, product, or technology transfers in a manufacturing environment
Familiarity with fiber optic products or optical inspection systems
Basic experience creating computer-aided design (CAD) drawings for fixtures or part-holding concepts

Responsibilities

Design and execute microscopy-based investigations, failure analysis, and materials characterization to support engineering, development, production, and customer return activities
Apply analytical techniques including optical microscopy, stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS)
Perform hands-on sample preparation — including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching, and sputter coating — for microscopy and spectroscopy analysis
Communicate technical findings clearly through written reports and direct consultation with internal engineering teams and external customers
Maintain and verify laboratory equipment performance through calibration, troubleshooting, documentation, and laboratory audits
Manage sample workload and prioritize across concurrent assignments to ensure timely, high-quality delivery aligned with customer requirements
Stay current with emerging developments in microscopy and failure analysis; incorporate new methods where appropriate