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Assistant Optical Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY

Corning

Manufacturing Department Head

Fairport, NY

$136K - $187K/yr

... teams. * Assist in the development of an operating plan for Precision Optics that aligns with ... Drive strong accountability, ownership, and empowerment across the Precision Optics engineering ...

Syntec Optics

Technical Sales Associate

Rochester, NY · On-site

... with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to understand product capabilities, specifications, and manufacturing processes. * Assist customers with basic technical questions related to optics ...

Syntec Optics

Clean Room Specialist

Rochester, NY · On-site

$14.75 - $18/hr

Perform cleaning of optical components using approved solvents, ultrasonic cleaners, DI water ... Complete required production documentation and quality records accurately. * Assist Quality ...

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All JobsOptical Engineer JobsAssistant Optical Engineer JobsAssistant Optical Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY

Assistant Optical Engineer information

See Rochester, NY salary details

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How much do assistant optical engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant optical engineer in Rochester, NY is $16.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Assistant Optical Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectAssistant Optical EngineerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in optics, physics, or related field; some experienceBachelor's or master's degree; more experience and specialized knowledge
Work EnvironmentAssists in design, testing, and research in labs or R&D teamsLeads projects, designs optical systems, and supervises testing
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in research labs, manufacturing, and tech companiesUsed in advanced R&D, product development, and engineering teams

The main difference between an Assistant Optical Engineer and an Optical Engineer lies in experience and responsibility. Assistant Optical Engineers support and assist in optical design and testing, often with less experience, while Optical Engineers take on more complex projects and leadership roles. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Optical Engineers typically have more hands-on experience and specialized skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY?

The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY are:

Assistant Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Optical Engineer job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,295 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

Manufacturing Engineer - Coating-Fairport, New York

Corning

Scottsville, NY

$68K - $93K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New

Corning rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 128 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

85th of 544 rated manufacturers

Job description

Requisition Number: 75892
The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.
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.
Come break through with us.
Corning's businesses are ever-evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets. We are changing the world with:
  • Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives
  • Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected
  • Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light
  • Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences
  • Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation
  • Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions

Position Overview
The Coating Manufacturing Engineer provides hands-on process engineering support for optical thin-film coating operations. This role will provide directions to the operations team regarding execution of the operations plan. It will also focus on monitoring coating performance, evaluating run data and metrology results, troubleshooting process excursions, and updating recipes and setpoints to improve stability, yield, and cycle time for subsequent runs. The position partners with production technicians, maintenance, and weekday engineering to ensure safe, capable, and repeatable operations in a high-mix manufacturing environment. This role does not include direct supervision of employees.
Key Responsibilities
  • Assist with the execution of the weekend team plan including authoring a pass-down each day of activities accomplished in the department.
  • Provide on-floor operational support for coating runs: monitor process performance, respond to alarms/out-of-standard conditions, and coordinate immediate containment actions.
  • Review run logs, process trends, and metrology (e.g., spectral performance, thickness/uniformity, defect data) to determine root cause drivers and improvement opportunities.
  • Update coating recipes, process setpoints, and operating windows for subsequent runs based on data analysis, engineering judgment, and established change-control practices.
  • Troubleshoot process excursions outside standard parameters; lead structured problem-solving using statistical methods (DOE, SPC, hypothesis-driven investigations, DMAIC).
  • Maintain and improve current metrology methods and data collection to monitor and improve manufacturing performance.
  • Identify and implement process improvements to reduce cost and scrap and improve variation, cycle time, and complexity.
  • Author/maintain process documentation (work instructions, control plans, troubleshooting guides) and provide technical training/coaching to production staff as needed.
  • Partner with weekday engineering, development, and commercial teams to support new product introduction and capability expansion; ensure weekend learnings are handed off clearly.
  • Support safe operations by following EHS requirements and reinforcing standard work, LOTO, and chemical handling practices.

Required Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in technical discipline (Optical Science/Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related) or equivalent experience
  • 1-3 years of experience in Process Engineering or Manufacturing Support
  • Ability to evaluate run data and metrology results, draw valid conclusions, and implement controlled setpoint/recipe changes
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including clear shift/weekend handoff documentation
  • Working knowledge of Lean/Six Sigma/DOE/SPC problem-solving methods

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with optical thin-film coating or vacuum deposition processes
  • Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, DOE, SPC problem-solving methods
  • Knowledge of metrology tools (interferometers, spectrophotometers, ellipsometers, SEM, profilometers)
  • Experience in high-mix manufacturing environments
  • Experience creating/maintaining process documentation, control plans, and troubleshooting guides in a regulated or high-quality manufacturing environment

Hours of Work:
  • Thursday-Sunday or Friday-Monday, 6AM - 4PM.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $68,064.00 - $93,588.00 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.

We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.
Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at accommodations@corning.com.

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