Senior Project Leader - Ceramic Materials

Role Purpose

The Senior Project Manager will play a critical role in driving new product and process development initiatives within Corning’s Advanced Optics business. This position requires expert leadership in managing cross-functional teams within a matrixed environment, with a focus on driving process innovation and ensuring successful project execution from concept through completion. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in capital project management, including facility upgrades and equipment installations, as well as deep experience in manufacturing processes, particularly in ceramics. This role will demand strategic thinking, technical expertise, and a hands-on approach to deliver impactful results across diverse programs that span capital investments, process optimization, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Program Responsibilities:

• Lead new process development and manufacturing line implementation within Corning’s Advanced Optics business by managing cross-functional, matrixed, and integrated teams with representation from Commercial, Manufacturing, Technology, GSM and other key functions.
• Develop and execute overall project requirements, deliverables, and plans, leading the project team from Initial Planning through Project handoff to manufacturing and Closeout following our Corning PM processes and procedures (Innovation and Capital). 
• Provide project leadership leading Capital projects, facility building/infrastructure renovations, and process improvement initiatives (anticipated project size to vary based on portfolio and demand, small to large scale).
• Work with government affairs to secure external grants and funding sources.
• Solve technically complex problems within process development, facility equipment, construction and operation areas.
• Support design of prototype/pilot equipment and full scale manufacturing equipment, establish baseline processes and transfer process knowledge to manufacturing team. 
• Manage facility selection and construction team for manufacturing line.
• Lead the scale up from lab pilot scale development to full scale manufacturing on the installed manufacturing line including developing all manufacturing process procedures to be transferred to the plant engineering and operation groups.
• Create key program messages and manage the information flow related to program direction, objectives, needs, and progress with the division/facility leadership, teams, resources and external firms and customers. 
• Define and manage resources (people, money, assets and time) and adjust in response to changes in the program environment.
• Develop deep scientific and engineering (product, process, cost), market, and business case understanding that enables a sustained advantage, through product differentiation and/or long-term manufacturing cost leadership.
• Lead teams through product innovation stages from early concept to production.

Experiences/Education - Required

• Minimum BS in chemistry, chemical engineering, ceramic engineering, material science or related discipline.
• Minimum 15+ years’ experience in glass and ceramic manufacturing, engineering, or processing.
• Experience in early-mid stage technology delivery with demonstrated success leading teams.
• Capital project management experience including project estimating, cost control and scheduling. 
• Problem solving skills and the use of structured methods, such as, K-T (DA, PPA, RA), DESGN & DMAIC.
• Equipment installation, commissioning and trouble-shooting experience.
• 30-50% domestic travel required.

Experiences/Education - Desired

• Capital processes experience and certifications.
• Facility design, operations and/or installation experience.