Project Manager (Hickory, NC, US, 28601)

Requisition Number: 78426

The company built on breakthroughs.

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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.

Our Optical Communications segment has recently evolved from being a manufacturer of optical fiber and cable, hardware and equipment to being a comprehensive provider of industry-leading optical solutions across the broader communications industry.This segment is classified into two main product groupings - carrier network and enterprise network. The carrier network product group consists primarily of products and solutions for optical-based communications infrastructure for services such as video, data and voice communications. The enterprise network product group consists primarily of optical-based communication networks sold to businesses, governments and individuals for their own use.

Role Purpose

The Engineering Project Manager will lead process-improvement and equipment-design projects supporting the Unlock Productivity program. Working under the program direction of the Unlock Productivity program leader, this position will translate productivity opportunities and business priorities into well-defined, executable engineering projects.

The role owns projects across the complete lifecycle-from opportunity definition, scope development, and business-case validation through concept development, detailed engineering, first prototype build, startup on live manufacturing lines, validation, and manufacturing acceptance.

This position requires an experienced project manager with strong technical capability in process engineering and mechanical/equipment design. The successful candidate will lead cross-functional and cross-site teams and will be accountable for delivering projects that meet established safety, quality, cost, schedule, performance, and manufacturing acceptance requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with program, manufacturing, and engineering stakeholders to identify, define, prioritize, and scope productivity projects.
• Develop project objectives, business cases, budgets, schedules, resource plans, success criteria, and implementation strategies.
• Lead cross-functional teams through problem definition, root-cause analysis, concept development, technical evaluation, and solution selection.
• Provide technical leadership for process improvements, mechanical design, equipment, tooling, and automation development.
• Lead design reviews, risk assessments, prototype builds, testing, and technical validation to ensure solutions meet safety, quality, productivity, cost, reliability, and manufacturing requirements.
• Lead equipment and process installation, commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, validation, and manufacturing acceptance on live production lines.
• Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, operations, maintenance, quality, safety, suppliers, and contractors throughout project execution.
• Manage project scope, cost, schedule, resources, risks, changes, suppliers, and technical deliverables from definition through implementation.
• Track project results against approved business cases and drive actions required to achieve and sustain productivity improvements.
• Communicate project status, value, risks, resource needs, and key decisions to program, manufacturing, engineering, and senior leadership.
• Build alignment across organizations and drive timely decisions, accountability, and problem resolution.

Travel Requirements

• Up to 25% travel, including domestic and international manufacturing locations and suppliers.

Education and Experience -Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Mechatronic, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or another relevant technical field
• Minimum of 8 years of project-management or project-leadership experience involving manufacturing process or equipment improvement
• Experience leading projects from definition and concept development through equipment or process implementation
• Experience leading cross-functional technical teams and managing project scope, budgets, schedules, resources, risks, and stakeholders

Preferred Skills:

• Strong process-engineering, mechanical-design, and equipment-development expertise
• Ability to balance technical rigor, manufacturing practicality, project urgency, and business value
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and influencing skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Experience with equipment, automation, process-improvement, productivity, or cost-reduction projects
• Experience with multi-site/global projects, cost modeling, value engineering, or business-case development
• Advanced technical degree, MBA, project-management training, or relevant certification
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and project-planning tools

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $116,625.00 - $160,360.00 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.