Optical Coating Process Engineer II

Role Purpose

The Coating Process Engineer II owns and improves optical thin film coating manufacturing processes in Fairport’s Coating department. The role provides day-to-day engineering support to production operations with a focus on process capability, stability, yield, and cost, while building from established designs and standard work. This engineer applies structured problem solving, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to resolve process issues, implement sustainable improvements, and support technology transfer into manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day production support by troubleshooting process excursions, performing root-cause analysis, and driving corrective/preventive actions.

• Sustain and optimize manufacturing processes using existing production assets; monitor key metrics and implement actions to improve stability, yield, and throughput.

• Use, improve, and standardize metrology methods to monitor process capability; analyze data to identify trends and prevent defects.

• Define and improve cleaning, material handling, and storage procedures within the coating process flow, ensuring appropriate documentation and adherence to change control.

• Identify and lead continuous improvement projects to reduce cost and variation (cycle time, complexity, scrap), with clear problem statements, data, and verified results.

• Create and maintain documentation (specs, work instructions, control plans) and deliver training to production staff for new/changed processes.

• Partner with Commercial and Development Engineering to extend capabilities and support technology transfer into manufacturing, including trials, qualification, and ramp support.

• Partner with suppliers to improve raw materials and work with customers to qualify additional equipment and respond to complaints.

• Required Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree in an Engineering or Science discipline (Optical Science/Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering).

• 5+ years of experience in optical thin film coating (UV/visible preferred) manufacturing/production support, or related vacuum coating process experience.

• Demonstrated critical thinking and structured problem solving to diagnose root cause and drive corrective actions.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document process changes and train stakeholders.

• Working knowledge of Statistical/6-Sigma/DOE tools and hypothesis-driven troubleshooting; able to apply data analysis to improve yield, throughput, and stability.

• Comfortable working with and influencing stakeholders across levels (operators/technicians through engineering and leadership) to implement sustainable solutions.

• Ability to work effectively on a multi-disciplinary team (Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Development) and manage multiple priorities.

• Desired Skills

• Demonstrated experience implementing and improving process capability and control systems (SPC, Cp/Cpk).

• Experience applying problem solving, statistical process control and continuous improvement methodologies: Performance Excellence, DMAIC, Lean, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, data analysis, or others.

• Track record of cycle time reduction, yield improvement, and rework elimination.

• Previous experience in technical manufacturing and process support.

• Hours of Work

• First shift production hours, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.

• Evening and weekend support as needed.

• Travel Requirements

• Less than 5%. Travel may include training, networking opportunities, and occasional customer or supplier visits.

• This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

• The range for this position is $84,932.00 - $116,782.00 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.