SCOPE/PURPOSE OF POSITION
The
Senior Systems Engineer is responsible for working directly with our customers and ecosystem partners to understand their product challenges, create system-level solutions, translate those solutions into product requirements, and drive design-in of Corning's Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) products. The role combines deep technical expertise in semiconductor manufacturing and photonic connectivity with a strong customer-facing orientation, serving as the technical interface between Corning R&D, program management and the business team to shape the future of AI infrastructure in hyperscale data centers.
This is a highly visible role that combines deep systems expertise with strong communication skills to guide our customers from early architecture discussions through design-in and qualification to serial production, bridging internal engineering teams and our customers to solve deployment challenges and influencing the CPO roadmap based on direct customer insight.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES- Serve as a primary technical point of contact for strategic customers and ecosystem partners throughout the CPO product lifecycle - from early architecture discussions through design-in, qualification, and deployment
- Lead product and system ideation with our customers and partners, with the goal of addressing identified needs through differentiated product offerings
- Translate customer requirements into internal product specifications, ensuring alignment between external needs and Corning's R&D and product development capabilities
- Conduct feasibility studies and develop initial design concepts to be transferred to R&D
- Establish ongoing and trusting relationships with technical counterparts amongst our primary customers and partners within the CPO ecosystem
- Develop a deep understanding of customer applications, the systems in which they operate, and how Corning products function in these applications
- Lead technical deep-dive sessions, architecture workshops, and design reviews with customer engineering teams, including hyperscaler network architects and ASIC/platform engineers
- Perform system level thermo-mechanical simulations to provide design recommendations
- Deliver compelling technical presentations, demos, and proof-of-concept (PoC) engagements
- Participate in mapping out market trends and technology roadmaps, identifying key gaps and recommendations in terms of both technology capabilities and new products
- In close collaboration with PLM and Marketing, help refine Corning's value proposition in the context of a deep understanding of the applications and use cases of our CPO solutions
- Collaborate with ASIC partners, packaging houses, laser vendors, and connector suppliers as well as hardware providers to build understanding of next generation requirements
- Act as the voice of the customer inside Corning, driving requirement clarity, feature prioritization, and responsiveness to field feedback
- Establish ongoing and trusting relationships with technical counterparts amongst our primary customers and partners within the CPO ecosystem
REQUIRED EDUCATION- Master's or Doctorate Degree in Engineering, Applied Science, or equivalent fields
- 7+ years of experience in an applications, systems, or product development function, with meaningful time in a customer-facing technical role (Systems Engineer, Applications Engineer, Scientist, or Solutions Architect)
- Participation in complex projects and contribution to multi-functional teams in a fast-paced competitive environment
- Deep understanding of one or more of the following: optics, glass as a material, optical fiber and communications, Silicon Photonics, semiconductor packaging, semiconductor metrology, electronic hardware design and manufacturing
- Ease with frequent customer engagements at a technical level, with the ability to comprehend technical needs and convey effective value propositions
- Ability to collaborate across functional and geographical boundaries to solve problems and develop solutions
- Conceptualize complex specification and application requirements and articulate to internal/external stakeholders to initiate new product development or implement product changes
- Mobilize and influence people within and outside the organization to meet objectives
- Garner trust and lead collaborative work efforts, both internally and externally, across multiple time zones
DESIRED EXPERIENCES- Work experience in PLM, Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, and/or Product Development in a fast-paced OEM context
- Systems-level knowledge of CPO architectures, including photonic engines, external laser sources (ELS/ELSFP), fiber attach, ASIC integration and advanced packaging
- Direct experience deploying CPO, NPO, LPO, or advanced pluggable optics in production or pre-production environments
- Familiarity with AI/ML fabric architectures (scale-up / scale-out), including GPU/XPU cluster designs and optical I/O requirements
- English + Mandarin (Japanese, or Korean) is a plus for global account coverage
This position does not support immigration sponsorship. The range for this position is $112,902.00 - $155,240.00 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.
