Optical Engineer

Corning • Village of Fairport, NY

2d • $133,911 - $184,128

About The Position

The Optical Engineer is based in Fairport, New York, where Corning designs and manufactures Tropel high-end, laser-based flatness metrology tools. These instruments measure critical surfaces for applications including semiconductor wafers, lithography photomasks, high-performance rotary seals, and hydraulics.

The engineer develops, launches, and maintains metrology systems for demanding applications and becomes an expert user of the interferometer product line, including its hardware, software, measurement algorithms, and customer applications. The role spans the full product life cycle, from developing next-generation tools and resolving performance and reliability issues to transferring new technology into manufacturing.

This collaborative position combines technical project leadership with substantial hands-on laboratory work, including prototyping, systems integration, troubleshooting, and experimental characterization. The engineer also works with external customers, distributors, and service partners, providing technical support and training.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Optics, or Physics.
• At least 8 years of applicable optical systems-level development and integration experience.
• Experience with precision measurement systems and instrument gauge study methods.
• Working knowledge of surface and form metrology fundamentals, including flatness and figure error, fringe analysis, and phase measurement techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and solve challenging multidisciplinary problems.
• Proven ability to manage multiple ongoing projects and priorities.
• Experience translating complex customer requirements into cohesive design specifications.
• Ability to collaborate across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and commercial functions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including technical reports, specifications, procedures, and direct customer communication.
• Willingness and ability to work hands-on in a laboratory environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Programming experience.
• Willingness and ability to travel 5–10% domestically and internationally.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on optical interferometry experience, including alignment, calibration, operation, and interpretation of interferometric measurement data; described in the posting as highly desired.
• Bachelor's degree in optical, mechanical, electrical, or mechatronics engineering.
• M.S. or Ph.D. in engineering, optics, or physics.
• 12–15+ years of industry experience developing optical metrology methods and technologies.
• Semiconductor application experience, particularly with photomasks, wafers, or lithography.
• Experience with laser sources and alignment of free-space and fiber-coupled optical systems, and familiarity with laser-safety practices and standards.
• Experience building measurement error budgets and distinguishing instrument error from true part behavior.
• Experience with robotic systems and robotic control algorithms.
• Familiarity with semiconductor factory automation and handling standards such as SECS/GEM, SMIF, E84, EDA, and RFID.
• Strong working understanding of GD&T and familiarity with optical fabrication and finishing.
• Experience with optical software analysis tools such as CODE V, LightTools, and FRED.
• Record of invention disclosures, patents, or peer-reviewed technical publications.
• C# programming experience is preferred; Matlab, Python, and C++ are beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Become an expert user of the interferometer product line, with deep working knowledge of its optical hardware, software, measurement algorithms, and customer applications.
• Manage development projects as technical lead, owning workstreams from concept through prototype, qualification, and production release.
• Prototype, troubleshoot, and integrate complex opto-mechanical systems spanning optics, precision motion control, sensing, electronics, pneumatics, and software.
• Specify, characterize, and qualify laser sources, illumination systems, and fiber-delivery subsystems; diagnose component-level performance, set acceptance criteria, and ensure designs meet laser-safety requirements.
• Conduct repeatability, reproducibility, and gauge studies to quantify system performance.
• Provide advanced applications and technical-service support for installed systems remotely and at customer facilities, often through distributors and third-party service organizations.
• Train partner, customer, and internal personnel in installation, operation, and troubleshooting.
• Support the commercial team with technical content for quotations, customer presentations, system performance specifications, and field upgrade and retrofit programs.
• Work across multiple projects with engineering, development, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial teams; facilitate and contribute to design reviews, risk assessments such as FMEA, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Author design, alignment, test, installation, and service documentation; manage configuration and design-change records across product generations; and transfer new technology to manufacturing.

Benefits

• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives.
• Company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions.
• 401(k) savings plan with matching contributions.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Paid parental leave and family-building support.
• Fitness benefits.
• Company-paid life insurance and disability benefits.
• Disease management programs.
• Paid time off.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Recognition program to celebrate successes and reward exceptional contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior