Optical Manufacturing Technician
Apply now »Date: Nov 9, 2026
Location: Keene, NH, US, 03431
Company: Corning
Requisition Number: 79624
The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.
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.
Corning’s businesses are ever-evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets. We are changing the world with:
- Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives
- Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected
- Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light
- Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences
- Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation
- Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions
Scope of Position:
An Optical Manufacturing Technician is required to support the development of complex optical systems. In this role, you will manufacture and prototype unique optical components out of metals, plastics and infrared crystals using diamond turning equipment, deterministic polishing equipment and CNC and conventional polishing tools for aerospace and defense (A&D) sensor systems. These components will be measured and qualified using various metrology tools such as micrometers, interferometers, computer generated holograms and special optical test setups. You will work within the optical finishing engineering team to develop new processes, procedures, and setups as well as verifying metrology requirements for individual optical components. You will also support prototyping of new optical components and systems.
Required Education:
- High school diploma/GED required. BS degree in engineering field preferred.
Required Skills:
- Minimum 3 years’ experience with optical component fabrication and testing of reflective and refractive optics.
- Working knowledge of CNC machining and/or G&M code.
- Ability to use metrology equipment such as calipers and micrometers, interferometers, profilometers and related optical metrology equipment.
- Ability to operate, program, set up and troubleshoot CNC diamond turning machines.
- Ability to monitor process parameters and adjust speeds, feeds, tooling and other process parameters to achieve required specifications.
- Ability to use MS Office applications such as Word, Excel and Outlook to document processes.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal skills.
- Competent shop math and geometry skills.
Desired Skills:
- 5+ years’ experience with optical fabrication processes and optical testing.
- Experience with 3, 4 and 5 axis machining of non-rotationally symmetric surfaces using Nanotech or Precitech CNC diamond turning machines.
- Deep knowledge of processes used to machine refractive and reflective materials.
- Knowledge of processes used in conventional optics fabrication.
- Experience programming complex optical geometries for optical components with Diffsys or Nanocam.
- Experience with matlab, python, solidworks and other software CAD/CAM packages.
- Ability to read detailed part drawings.
- Working knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerances (GD&T).
Travel:
- < 10% travel expected.
Is This You?
- Do your colleagues consider you to be positive, open and engaging and an effective member of a dynamic team?
- Are you a self-starter, passionate about engineering and have a high level of technical curiosity?
- Are you dedicated, open to new ideas and recognized for your flexibility to change?
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $58,886.00 - $80,968.00 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.
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 aspirations, and career from day one.
- 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.
- As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning’s total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
- Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
- 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 recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.
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.
Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at accommodations@corning.com.
Nearest Major Market: Bellows Falls
Nearest Secondary Market: Keene