Optical System Quality Engineer

Requisition Number: 75715The 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 livesDamage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connectedOptical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of lightPrecision 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 solutionsRole Purpose:We are seeking a Optical System Quality Engineer to partner closely with Systems Engineering and cross‑functional teams to convert product and system requirements into manufacturing-ready quality systems, process controls, and verification methods for advanced optical and electro-optical products. This role ensures that customer and system requirements are consistently realized in process definitions, control plans, inspection methods, and quality documentation, enabling repeatable performance across development, production, and lifecycle support. The ideal candidate combines strong quality engineering fundamentals with a systems mindset and experience supporting high-precision optical, semiconductor, or aerospace products.Key Responsibilities:Requirements-to-Quality Translation:Partner with Systems Engineers to gain a thorough understanding of system, subsystem, and component requirements.Translate product requirements into clearly defined quality requirements, acceptance criteria, manufacturing controls, inspection controls, and verification/validation methods.Ensure all quality requirements are fully traceable to system and customer requirements and are measurable, auditable, and enforceable.Participate in requirements reviews to proactively address quality, risk, and manufacturability considerations early in the development process.Process Control & Discipline:Develop and maintain process control plans that define key process parameters (KPPs), key quality characteristics (KQCs), Statistical Process Control (SPC) methods, control limits, and reaction plans.Establish inspection and test strategies for optical, mechanical, electrical, and system-level characteristics.Support the development and validation of manufacturing processes, tooling, and work instructions to ensure consistency and compliance.Ensure process capability is aligned with and capable of meeting product performance and reliability requirementsQuality Systems & Compliance:Develop and maintain quality documentation, including quality plans, inspection and test procedures, and nonconformance and corrective action processes.Ensure compliance with applicable quality standards, regulations, and customer-specific requirements, including ISO 9001, AS9100, and relevant semiconductor or aerospace industry standards, as applicable.Support internal and external audits, as well as customer quality reviews, to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.Verification, Validation & Risk Management:Support verification and validation (V&V) planning in close coordination with Systems Engineering.Ensure inspection and test methods are capable of adequately verifying allocated requirements.Participate in risk assessments, including FMEA and PFMEA, and ensure mitigation actions are effectively incorporated into manufacturing and quality processes.Support root cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to address quality issues and drive continuous improvement.Cross-Functional Collaboration:Work closely with Systems Engineering; optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering; manufacturing and operations; and supply chain and supplier quality teams.Support supplier qualification activities, quality flow-down requirements, and incoming inspection processes.Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on improving yield, repeatability, and defect reduction.Experiences/Education - Required:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.Minimum of 5 years of experience in quality engineering, process control, or manufacturing quality.Demonstrated experience translating engineering requirements into quality requirements and process controls.Strong experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC) and process capability analysis.Experience developing inspection and test plans.Background supporting high-precision or complex electro-mechanical systems.Must be open to travel: Up to 25% Domestic and possible International Experiences/Education - Desired:Experience supporting optical systems, semiconductor equipment, or aerospace products.Familiarity with requirements management and traceability tools.Experience with FMEA, control plans, and structured problem-solving methodologies.Knowledge of optical inspection methods, metrology, or environmental testing.Six Sigma or similar quality certification.Key Skills & Competencies:Strong systems thinking and process-oriented mindset.High attention to detail with a disciplined approach to execution.Ability to translate abstract or complex requirements into practical, actionable controls.Effective communication skills across engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams.Comfortable operating in regulated environments or customer-audited settings.This position does not support immigration sponsorship. The range for this position is $91,649.00 - $126,018.00 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. 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, Corning provides company matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan of up to 4% of pay when you contribute at least 6% of pay.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. 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 View email address on click.appcast.io.