Corning Incorporated

Optical System Quality Engineer

Corning Incorporated$91K — $126K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field
  • 5+ years in quality engineering or manufacturing quality
  • Experience translating engineering to quality requirements
  • Strong knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC)
  • Background with high-precision electro-mechanical systems
  • Willingness to travel up to 25% domestically and potentially internationally

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with Systems Engineers to understand requirements
  • Translate technical specifications into quality assurance frameworks
  • Develop process control plans and inspection strategies
  • Maintain quality documentation and ensure compliance with standards
  • Support V&V planning and risk assessment activities
  • Drive initiatives for continuous improvement in yield and defect reduction
  • Work with cross-functional teams, including suppliers, to ensure quality flow-down

Benefits

  • Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives
  • 100% company-paid pension benefit with contributions
  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits including medical, dental, vision
  • Paid parental leave and family building support
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for family support
  • Recognition program for exceptional contributions
Full Job Description
Requisition Number: 75715

Role 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 requirements
  • 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, 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.

About Corning Incorporated

Corning Life Sciences provide high quality, innovative products for life science applications enabling people around the world to make and deliver life changing discoveries.

Corning Incorporated Careers

Join the visionary team at Corning Incorporated, a leader in materials science that has continually transformed industries and everyday life around the globe. At Corning, you will find a company committed to enhancing growth, innovation, and leadership within its workforce. This is an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a professional network that is dedicated to pioneering advancements in technology and science. Work You’ll Do At Corning Incorporated, your work will directly contribute to the company’s mission of delivering high-tech solutions in industries such as telecommunications, life sciences, and automotive. You will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, utilizing your skills to foster innovation and drive significant impacts on a global scale. Join our diverse team and embrace the challenge of developing unique solutions that make a difference in people’s lives every day. Corning’s inclusive culture and commitment to diversity training ensure that every team member’s voice is heard and valued, enhancing our collaborative environment. Career Growth and Opportunities Corning is dedicated to the professional growth of its employees, offering a wide range of job opportunities and career paths in various fields. Whether you are seeking a position in engineering, research, manufacturing, or business management, Corning provides the resources and support to thrive in your career. Internship programs at Corning are crafted to provide students and recent graduates with hands-on experience, valuable networking opportunities, and a chance to make substantive contributions to ongoing projects. These internships often lead to full-time employment, thanks to the skills, experiences, and relationships developed during this critical period. Benefits and Culture Choosing a career at Corning Incorporated means opting for a life of innovation and continuous learning. The company offers competitive benefits designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of its employees and their families. From comprehensive health care options and retirement plans to employee discounts and wellness programs, Corning is committed to enriching the lives of its team members. Our culture thrives on creativity, integrity, and dedication. We believe in the power of collaboration and are committed to maintaining a supportive environment where you can grow your career and feel an integral part of our success. Join Our Team Explore the numerous job opportunities at Corning Incorporated and find the position that aligns with your career ambitions and expertise. We are continuously hiring new talent and look forward to reviewing your resume and preparing you for an interview where you can showcase your unique qualifications. Stay Connected Keep up to date with the latest developments and career tips from Corning Incorporated by subscribing to our careers blog. Gain insider perspectives that can help you navigate your professional journey effectively. Apply Today Are you ready to advance your career at a company that is at the forefront of technological innovation? Search Corning jobs now and join a team that is reshaping industries and improving lives through material science. SEARCH CORNING JOBS At Corning Incorporated, we’re more than just a company – we’re a community. Harness the power of our collective knowledge and skills to propel your career forward. Discover the impact you can make on the world with Corning.
Learn more about Corning Incorporated
Size
61,200 employees
Market Cap
$26.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
$512 million
Founded
1851
5 Year Trend
+8.4%
Revenue
$11.3 billion
NASDAQ

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