Materials Scientist, Microscopy

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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.

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Our Optical Communications segment has recently evolved from being a manufacturer of optical fiber and cable, hardware and equipment to being a comprehensive provider of industry-leading optical solutions across the broader communications industry.

This segment is classified into two main product groupings – carrier network and enterprise network. The carrier network product group consists primarily of products and solutions for optical-based communications infrastructure for services such as video, data and voice communications. The enterprise network product group consists primarily of optical-based communication networks sold to businesses, governments and individuals for their own use.

Corning is seeking a Materials Scientist or Materials Engineer, Microscopy, to join our Optical Communications team in Wilmington, NC. In this role, you will apply advanced microscopy and materials characterization techniques to investigate failures, identify root causes, and deliver actionable insights that drive product quality and process improvement across manufacturing, product development, and customer support organizations. This is a hands-on, technically rigorous role for a scientist or engineer who thrives at the intersection of analytical chemistry, materials science, and applied problem-solving in a laboratory and manufacturing environment.

• Design and execute microscopy-based investigations, failure analysis, and materials characterization to support engineering, development, production, and customer return activities
• Apply analytical techniques including optical microscopy, stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS)
• Perform hands-on sample preparation — including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching, and sputter coating — for microscopy and spectroscopy analysis
• Communicate technical findings clearly through written reports and direct consultation with internal engineering teams and external customers
• Maintain and verify laboratory equipment performance through calibration, troubleshooting, documentation, and laboratory audits
• Manage sample workload and prioritize across concurrent assignments to ensure timely, high-quality delivery aligned with customer requirements
• Stay current with emerging developments in microscopy and failure analysis; incorporate new methods where appropriate

• Work Schedule:
  
  Typical working hours 8-10 hours/day; 40-50 hours/week
• Some production support will require additional hours, Flexibility is required
• Travel:
  Less than 5% domestic travel in support of projects and training

• B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, Geology, Chemistry, Metallurgical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, or a related discipline
• Experience with one or more microscopy techniques — optical microscopy, SEM, EDS, CLSM, or equivalent
• Hands-on experience with…