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Optical System Core Capability Sr. Manager

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Date: May 14, 2026

Location: Fairport, NY, US, 14450

Company: Corning

Requisition Number: 75083

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. 

As a leading developer, manufacturer, and global supplier of scientific laboratory products for 100 years, Corning’s Life Sciences segment collaborates with researchers seeking new approaches to increase efficiencies, reduce costs and compress timelines in the drug discovery process. Using unique expertise in the fields of materials science, surface science, optics, biochemistry and biology, the segment provides innovative solutions that improve productivity and enable breakthrough discoveries.

Job Summary

The Optical Systems Core Capabilities Senior Manager is responsible for leading and evolving the division’s opto-mechanical core capabilities to support current and future product needs. This role drives the definition and execution of production capability projects that enable new product designs, improves existing processes to reduce cost and improve performance, and introduces new technical capabilities that expand the Advanced Optics business’s competitive offerings.

The role collaborates closely with Commercial, Development and Engineering teams to define technical roadmaps and prioritize capability projects that support Product Line Plans and long-term business strategy.

The role reports into the Division Engineering Director and is a Division Engineering staff level position.

Key Responsibilities

Core Capability Leadership

Lead opto-mechanical core capability teams in the planning and execution of capability projects that support new product designs and technology roadmaps.
Serve as a technical leader to steer opto-mechanical fabrication, assembly, and alignment production processes.
Establish and maintain standardized processes, tools, and best practices for optical system production engineering.

Product Line & Commercial Alignment

Partner with Commercial and Product Line teams to define opto-mechanical technical roadmaps aligned with Product Line Plans and market needs.
Collaborate with Commercial stakeholders to identify, evaluate, and prioritize capability projects that enable current and future business opportunities.
Provide technical input to support make/buy decisions, product positioning, and long-term investment planning.

New Product Enablement

Work concurrently with product design and program teams to identify production capability gaps for new product designs and align plans to close those gaps.
Ensure opto-mechanical capabilities meet performance, quality, cost, and schedule requirements for new product introductions.
Support design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) efforts early in the product development lifecycle.

Continuous Improvement & Cost Reduction

Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance process capability, yield, throughput, and reliability.
Identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities through process optimization, material changes, tooling improvements, and automation.
Champion data-driven methods (AI/ML/Digital) to assess and enhance process performance.

Capability Expansion & Technology Development

Receive new opto-mechanical capabilities from the Development function and scale them for transfer to Manufacturing.
Identify, engineer, and implement new opto-mechanical capabilities to expand the division’s technical offerings and competitive advantage.
Evaluate emerging technologies, equipment, and suppliers to support future business and market needs.
Lead capital equipment justification, selection, and implementation for new capabilities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

Collaborate closely with Commercial, Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain teams to ensure successful capability deployment and sustainment.
Mentor and develop engineers and technical staff within the core capabilities teams.
Communicate capability plans, progress, risks, and results to division leadership and key stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
10+ years of experience in opto-mechanical engineering, manufacturing, or process development within an advanced optics or precision engineering environment.
Demonstrated experience leading technical teams or complex engineering projects.
Strong understanding of opto-mechanical manufacturing processes.
Proven ability to drive process improvement and cost-reduction initiatives.

Experience with new product introduction (NPI) in an optics or photonics environment.
Experience specifying and deploying advanced manufacturing equipment and tooling.

Key Competencies

Technical leadership and problem-solving
Strategic thinking and roadmap development
Commercial and product line collaboration
Cross-functional influence
Project and priority management
Clear communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $169,173.00 - $232,613.00 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.

Nearest Major Market: Rochester

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