Senior Scientist - Materials & Mechanics

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Date: Sep 18, 2026

Location: Corning, NY, US, 14831

Company: Corning

Requisition Number: 78269

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

Role Purpose

This role supports reliability assessment and performance evaluation of brittle materials across advanced applications. The scientist will focus on mechanical and materials characterization, failure-mode analysis and reliability assessment to develop fundamental insights into material behavior while improving product performance for inorganic brittle materials, optical thin films, and related material systems. The position also includes scientific investigation and data-driven problem solving through modeling and analysis.

The successful candidate will combine hands-on laboratory experimentation with rigorous technical analysis to investigate degradation and failure mechanisms, quantify reliability risks, and develop novel characterization approaches. This role requires strong scientific judgment, technical independence, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams of scientists, engineers, and project leaders to support research and development objectives.
• Plan experiments and assess material performance using first principles-based insight.
• Analyze reliability and failure modes to determine the mechanisms and material properties that drive product performance.
• Evaluate reliability of brittle coating-based systems by connecting material behavior to realistic product-use conditions.
• Coordinate with laboratories and stakeholders to deliver project outcomes.
• Compile results and prepare communication materials for project partners and leaders.
• Communicate technical results, conclusions, and recommendations through reports, presentations, and project updates.

Experiences/Education - Required

• Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or a related field; OR M.S. degree with five years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong foundation in mechanical and materials engineering principles.
• Demonstrated research experience in inorganic brittle materials, optical thin films, fracture mechanics, or experimental mechanics.
• Strong knowledge of mechanics of materials, brittle material behavior, failure-mode analysis, mechanical testing, and materials characterization.
• Experience evaluating material behavior under mechanical, thermal, and environmental application conditions, including related reliability assessments.
• Experience with experimental design, data analysis, and scientific problem solving.
• Strong hands-on technical aptitude with proven written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated through external presentations and/or peer-reviewed publications.
• Postdoctoral experience in thin films or materials mechanics.
• Experience using characterization tools such as SEM, TEM, SIMS, universal testing machines, and indentation systems.
• Experience with experimental techniques…