Clean Design Staff Engineer

Role Purpose

The Clean Design Engineer is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of contamination control strategies, clean manufacturing systems, and controlled-environment processes supporting Corning’s advanced manufacturing and innovation activities. This role applies engineering principles, cleanroom science, and contamination control methodologies to enhance product quality, process capability, operational efficiency, and reliability.

The position supports projects across all Corning businesses and technology platforms, collaborating with research, development, engineering, and manufacturing teams throughout the innovation lifecycle. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical expertise, analytical thinking, and a practical approach to solving complex contamination and process challenges in laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver technical solutions supporting contamination control, clean processing, and clean manufacturing initiatives across Corning businesses, including S&T and EIG.
• Design, develop, and implement cleanroom systems, contamination control strategies, and process improvements to achieve product quality, capability, yield, and cost objectives.
• Lead and execute experiments, data analysis, and engineering studies to identify root causes and develop sustainable corrective actions for contamination-related issues. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including research, development, facilities, operations, quality, and manufacturing to implement clean design best practices.
• Develop specifications, standards, and engineering requirements for cleanroom facilities, equipment, utilities, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Evaluate and deploy contamination monitoring, cleanliness verification, and metrology methods to ensure compliance with product and process requirements.
• Support technology scale-up and transfer activities from laboratory through pilot and manufacturing implementation.
• Review project progress, technical risks, and performance results against established milestones with project stakeholders and customers.
• Document technical findings, engineering analyses, best practices, and intellectual property to support project execution and organizational learning.

Experiences/Education - Required

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineer, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related discipline
• Minimum 5 yrs. experience in contamination control, clean manufacturing, cleanroom operations, or related engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to apply scientific and engineering principles to solve complex technical problems through analytical and data-driven approaches.
• Strong understanding of process development, engineering fundamentals, and technology implementation across multiple stages of innovation.
• Experience leading structured problem-solving efforts and driving root cause investigations.
• Ability to manage technical uncertainty, assess risk, and prioritize activities within dynamic project environments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across organizational levels and functions
• Up to 25% depending on project requirements; domestic and international travel may be required.

Experiences/Education - Desired

• Knowledge of cleanroom design, contamination control principles, and ISO 14644 standards.
• Experience with particle monitoring, cleanliness verification, environmental control systems, and contamination risk assessments.
• Understanding of clean utility systems including compressed gases, vacuum, process water, and environmental control infrastructure.
• Familiarity with materials science, surface contamination mechanisms, cleaning processes, and product handling methodologies.
• Experience supporting laboratory, pilot-scale, and manufacturing operations within regulated or contamination-sensitive environments.
• Project management experience including planning, risk management, and technical execution.
• Application of statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), process capability analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.