Materials Scientist, Microscopy

Corning•Wilmington, NC

13d•$67,150 - $92,331•Onsite

About The Position

Corning is seeking a Materials Scientist or Materials Engineer specializing in microscopy to join its Optical Communications team in Wilmington, North Carolina. The role applies advanced microscopy and materials characterization to investigate failures, identify root causes, and provide actionable insights that support product quality and process improvement across manufacturing, product development, and customer support. It is a hands-on position at the intersection of analytical chemistry, materials science, and applied problem-solving in laboratory and manufacturing environments. The typical schedule is 8–10 hours per day and 40–50 hours per week. Production support may require additional hours, so flexibility is required. Domestic travel is less than 5% for project support and training. The position does not support immigration sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Geology, Chemistry, Metallurgical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, or a related discipline.
Experience with one or more microscopy techniques, such as optical microscopy, SEM, EDS, CLSM, or equivalent.
Hands-on experience with microscopy sample preparation, including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching, and sputter coating.
Ability to apply and adapt established analytical techniques to investigate complex materials and failure-analysis problems.
Ability to communicate technical findings clearly in written reports and through 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; ability 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 for engineering, development, production, and customer-return activities.
Use optical microscopy, stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).
Prepare samples for microscopy and spectroscopy analysis, including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching, and sputter coating.
Communicate technical findings 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 and prioritize concurrent sample assignments to ensure timely, high-quality delivery aligned with customer requirements.
Keep current with developments in microscopy and failure analysis and incorporate new methods where appropriate.