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Product Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Product Quality Engineer

Geneseo, NY

$69K - $89K/yr

The Plant Quality Engineer (PQE) - Responsible for all aspects of product conformity for their systems / Components at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant. The PQE reports directly to the PQE Lead and ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Rochester, NY

$70K - $91K/yr

Provide crucial support to production, engineering teams, and suppliers, helping to resolve process-related challenges and improve outcomes. * Innovative Process Improvement: Research and implement ...

Serve as the primary engineering resource for rapid investigation of production issues requiring immediate technical evaluation. * Evaluate the impact of process changes, equipment modifications ...

Showing results 41-60

Product Engineer information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$52.3K

$142.2K

$202.3K

How much do product engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for product engineer in Rochester, NY is $142,189.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,800.00 and $202,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a product engineer?

A product engineer designs and creates products and related manufacturing processes for a company. As a product engineer, your job duties involve designing prototypes, developing manufacturing processes, and overseeing production. You also perform product tests to ensure quality and work with sales and marketing departments to solve customer service questions and issues. A product engineer typically needs a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. You must have proficient technical skills, knowledge of the product development cycle, and familiarity with relevant computer software.

What does a product engineer do?

A Product Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and improving products by collaborating with cross-functional teams such as design, manufacturing, and quality assurance. They work on creating prototypes, testing products for functionality and safety, and refining designs based on feedback and data. Product Engineers also help ensure that products meet industry standards and customer requirements, often overseeing the manufacturing process and troubleshooting any issues that arise. Their role is crucial in bringing innovative and high-quality products to market efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a product engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Product Engineer, you need strong problem-solving abilities, expertise in product design and development, and typically a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, prototyping tools, and project management systems like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Jira is common. Excellent teamwork, communication, and adaptability help Product Engineers collaborate across departments and respond to changing requirements. These skills and qualities are crucial for driving product innovation, ensuring manufacturability, and meeting customer and business needs efficiently.

What are some common challenges product engineers face when balancing technical requirements with user needs?

Product Engineers often encounter the challenge of reconciling technical constraints with user expectations. This means they must work closely with design, marketing, and user experience teams to ensure the final product is both feasible to manufacture and meets customer needs. Navigating trade-offs between cost, manufacturability, and performance is a regular part of the job. Effective communication and flexibility are crucial, as priorities can shift rapidly based on feedback or market changes.

What is the difference between Product Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectProduct EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, often in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial EngineeringBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and improve products; collaborate with cross-functional teamsDesign, analyze, and test mechanical systems and components
Industry UsageTechnology, manufacturing, consumer electronics, automotiveManufacturing, aerospace, automotive, robotics

Product Engineers focus on developing and improving products throughout their lifecycle, often working closely with design and manufacturing teams. Mechanical Engineers primarily design and analyze mechanical systems and components. While both roles require engineering degrees, Product Engineers tend to have a broader focus on product development and integration, whereas Mechanical Engineers concentrate on mechanical design and analysis.

Do product engineers make good money?

Product engineers typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and industry. They often have skills in engineering, design, and project management, with opportunities for advancement and bonuses in many companies.

What is the job of a product engineer?

A product engineer designs, develops, and tests products to ensure they meet quality, safety, and performance standards. They collaborate with cross-functional teams, utilize engineering tools, and often require knowledge of manufacturing processes and product lifecycle management.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Product Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY?

For Product Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Product Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Product Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Product Engineer jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Product Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Product Engineer job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,189 per year, or $68.4 per hour.

Principal Optical Applications Engineer

Corning

Fairport, NY • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Corning rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 129 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

Requisition Number: 76590

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
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 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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