Failure Analysis Scientist

Role Purpose

Corning is hiring a Failure Analysis Scientist in Corning, NY. This is a full-time onsite role focused on investigating why glass and other brittle materials break. You will spend significant time in the lab using microscopes, handling samples, documenting evidence, and working with manufacturing, R&D, quality, and product teams across Corning. The role is based in a lab and office environment and may include occasional travel to other Corning locations or manufacturing sites.

Few people start their careers planning to become a fractographer. At Corning, that is the name for specialists who study fracture features and physical evidence to understand what happened, why it happened, and what teams can learn from it. This role is a good fit for someone who enjoys hands-on technical investigation, defect analysis, and evidence-based problem solving. Direct fractography experience is not required. Corning can train the specialized parts of the work. We are especially interested in candidates with experience in materials, microscopy, inspection, quality, troubleshooting, failure analysis, forensics, or manufacturing support who bring patience, strong communication, good judgment, and a calm, objective approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Examine fractured glass and other brittle material samples using optical, stereo, digital, and related microscopy tools.
• Interpret fracture features, defect patterns, and physical evidence to identify likely failure origins and contributing factors.
• Lead routine to moderately complex investigations and support more complex failure analysis work.
• Write clear technical reports that document methods, observations, evidence, and conclusions.
• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, quality, R&D, and other stakeholders to explain findings and support next steps.
• Capture high-quality images and observations through careful sample setup, lighting, and microscope use.
• Support investigations tied to production issues, development work, customer concerns, and reliability questions.
• Use evidence-based reasoning and clearly separate observation from interpretation.
• Work closely with teammates and subject matter experts to resolve difficult or unclear cases.
• Share learnings and help improve consistency in team methods and documentation.

Minimum Qualifications and Skills

• Education/experience: Candidates must meet one of the following qualifications:
• High school diploma or equivalent plus 5+ years of meaningful experience in fractography, failure analysis, forensics, microscopy-based investigation, or a closely related technical field
• Associate’s degree in a related technical field such as Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, or Forensic Science
• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field such as Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, or Forensic Science
• Experience in failure analysis, defect analysis, microscopy-based inspection, quality troubleshooting, technical investigation, or a related hands-on technical environment.
• Experience using microscopes, imaging tools, or visual inspection methods to evaluate and document physical samples or defects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Patience, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently and with a team in a repetitive, detail-focused lab setting.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements
Frequent microscope work, including extended periods seated and focused on fine visual detail
Frequent handling of small parts and fragments; manual dexterity and careful hand-eye coordination required
Work is primarily performed in a lab and office environment and may require use of personal protective equipment as applicable

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Experience with glass, ceramics, brittle materials, metals, polymers, or other material-based failure investigation.
• Experience with fractography, forensics, root cause investigation, or broken-part analysis.
• Familiarity with manufacturing, quality, reliability, or process troubleshooting environments.
• Experience with Excel, JMP, Minitab, or similar data analysis and reporting tools.
• Ability to apply technical concepts across different products, materials, and failure scenarios.