Staff Engineer, High-Precision Optics Fabrication Process Development
Apply now »Date: Aug 1, 2025
Location: Fairport, NY, US, 14450
Company: Corning
Requisition Number: 70062
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Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.
How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations – not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward.
At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.
Come break through with us.
Scope of Position
The position is in the Advanced Optics (AO) surface finishing and optical fabrication development group based in Rochester, NY. The scope of this position is the development of new capabilities and technologies for the fabrication of optics with primary initial focus on mirrors for use in EUV semiconductor manufacturing. The individual will work closely with other optical fabrication process and metrology development team SMEs supporting the group objective of developing novel optical fabrication processes and expanding Corning’s optical manufacturing capability for the highest precision optics going into semiconductor inspection instruments.
The role involves developing innovative optical manufacturing technologies for high-precision optical elements (lenses, mirrors, prisms, etc.) from conception to transfer to manufacturing. The role requires developing a thorough understanding of optical fabrication techniques, problem solving, and developing process improvements. The role is highly collaborative requiring strong inter-personal skills while also applying process rigor such as structured problem-solving methods like KT, DOE, and similar.
The individual will be responsible to develop and maintain a scientific network inside and outside of the corporation and it is expected that the candidate will assist with inquiries about optical fabrication from across the AO division and corporate research. The candidate is expected to document results by authoring internal/external reports and filing invention disclosures.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Use sound scientific and engineering principles when analyzing optical fabrication processes experimental results.
- Work to deepen fundamental understanding of the optical fabrication processes to expand Corning’s ability to fabricate and manufacture the most demanding optics in the world.
- Hands on development of new polishing processes for glass, crystals and other optical substrates, and optical components including flats, spheres, aspheres, and freeform. This includes the manufacture of optics for customer prototype lens & mirror systems.
- Scope out technical risk and challenges for high-precision component fabrication of prototype and development commercial opportunities.
- Work with finance, procurement, and plant engineering to quantify the value proposition of different optical fabrication process flow options including return on investment calculation for capital acquisitions.
- Communicate results to peers, management, and technology receivers.
- Develop documentation and assist with the transfer of optical fabrication solutions developed by the development group to division and plant engineering.
- Keep current with technological advances in optical fabrication through scientific literature, conferences, interfacing with appropriate experts, etc.
Experiences/Education - Required
- B.S. degree required in optics, physics, material science, chemistry or STEM concentrations or related field
- Minimum 5 years of experience with high-precision optical fabrication processes
- Experience with high-precision optics fabrication for visible and DUV (193 nm – 266 nm) systems
- Deep knowledge of asphere/freeform optical fabrication techniques including the mathematical foundations of sub-aperture polishing techniques.
- Experience with CNC platforms: grinding, magnetorheological finishing (MRF), ion beam figuring (IBF), sub-aperture pad polishing (bonnet, etc.)
- Experience with smoothing mid-spatial frequency processes for aspheres and freeform.
- Well-rounded knowledge of conventional pitch and non-pitch based optical material processing methods and equipment.
- Hands on experience fabricating optics on a selection of optical substrate for a variety of applications.
- Demonstrated ability to quantify the cost, schedule, and performance benefits of new processes and develop initial process robustness estimates. Capable of evaluating the impact of new processses on the whole optical manufacturing chain.
- Deep knowledge and experience of state-of-the-art optical fabrication technologies for finishing brittle optical substrates including fining, and chemical mechanical polishing.
- Good understanding of metrology methods used on high-precision optics and ability to perform basic analysis of metrology data with metrology SMEs.
Experiences/Education - Desired
- M.S., Ph.D. preferred.
- Experience with EUV and X-ray optics is highly desirable.
- Experience with diamond-turning of optics would be beneficial.
- Experience with metal/metal alloy substrates would be beneficial.
- Ability to operate in a cleanroom environment is welcome.
- Knowledge of optical surface cleaning processes and surface contamination principles is a plus.
- Basic understanding of the potential impact of coating on optical surface performance (figure, roughness, etc.).
- Basic understanding of the impact of environment on optics finishing processes.
- Basic knowledge of material and surface characterization methods (microscopy, SEM, X-ray diffraction, fluid composition, particle size distribution, etc.)
- Experience with acid etching of optical substrates.
- Application of Design of Experiment (DOE) and statistical data analysis methods.
- Ability to perform data analysis in some of MatLab, Python, Origin Pro, JMP, QED.NET Toolkit or similar software platforms will be helpful.
- Ability to work with G-code or similar machine control languages.
- Basic experience with some program scheduling software tools.
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $119,542.00 - $164,370.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education. The benefits available for this position are dependent on hours worked and may include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, pension plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, and PTO.
A job that shapes a life.
Corning offers you the total package.
Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial, and career from day one
- As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit that grows throughout your career. We also offer a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions.
- Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, and disease management programs.
- Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives, align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well – when Corning wins, we all win.
- Getting paid for our work is important but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That’s why Corning offers a peer-to-peer recognition program to celebrate success by recognizing colleagues who demonstrate above-and-beyond behaviors.
We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To request an accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@corning.com.
Nearest Major Market: Rochester