Optical System Quality Engineer

Optical System Quality Engineer

Join Corning, 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. 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.

We are seeking an 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.

Key responsibilities include:

• 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.
• 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.
• Quality 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Experience/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.

Experience/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 - $ 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.

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, Corning…