Principal Optical Applications Engineer

Principal Optical Applications Engineer

Role Purpose

This Principal Applications Engineer serves as a senior technical leader and strategic customer interface for Corning's Precision Optics business. The role is responsible for developing deep customer and market understanding, shaping technology and product roadmaps, leading cross-functional initiatives, and driving profitable growth with strategic accounts. The successful candidate acts as a trusted advisor to customers while influencing internal business, engineering, manufacturing, and development decisions

Roles and Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical leader for strategic customer accounts, developing trusted relationships across engineering, operations, and business organizations.

• Develop deep understanding of customer applications, technology roadmaps, and market trends to identify growth opportunities and influence business strategy.

• Lead cross-functional efforts involving Applications Engineering, Product Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams to deliver customer and business objectives.

• Drive resolution of complex technical, quality, operational, and supply challenges while balancing customer requirements with business priorities.

• Influence product, technology, and manufacturing roadmaps through customer insights, competitive intelligence, and market knowledge.

• Lead technical negotiations involving specifications, qualifications, reliability, product changes, and long-term roadmap alignment.

• Analyze product performance, customer requirements, and business trends to identify opportunities for growth, productivity improvements, and enhanced customer value.

• Represent the voice of the customer within Corning while effectively communicating technical and business considerations to leadership.

• Mentor and develop Applications Engineers while driving adoption of best practices, standard work, and technical excellence.

• Represent Applications Engineering in customer reviews, strategic planning activities, and executive-level discussions.

• Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BS) in Physics, Optical Engineering, or related discipline

• Master’s degree (MS) in Optics or Engineering or Material Science preferred

• Master’s in business administration (MBA) a plus

• Work Experience

• 10+ years of experience in applications engineering, product engineering, optical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or related customer-facing technical roles.

• Proven success leading complex cross-functional initiatives and influencing strategic business decisions.

• Experience managing strategic customer relationships and leading technical engagements with global customers.

• Semiconductor, optics, photonics, precision manufacturing, or related industry experience preferred.

Required Skills

• Strong technical foundation in optics, optical systems, semiconductor applications, or precision manufacturing technologies.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills across technical, commercial, and executive audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and lead within a matrix organization.

• Strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to connect customer needs to product, technology, and business opportunities.

• Proven leadership of complex technical programs and cross-functional teams.

• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills.

• Desired Skills

• Deep understanding of semiconductor equipment, precision optics, or adjacent high-technology markets

• Experience serving as the technical lead for strategic customer accounts or major product lines.

• Experience influencing product, technology, or manufacturing roadmaps.

• Knowledge of reliability engineering, product lifecycle management, and change management processes

• Experience leading global teams, complex development programs, or customer qualification efforts.

• Strong commercial awareness with experience identifying new business opportunities and supporting growth initiatives.

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with and present recommendations to senior leadership and customer executives.

• Travel

• Up to 25% – Both domestic and international.

• This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

• The range for this position is $115,084.00 - $158,241.00 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 contrib