Supervisor, Rapid Prototyping

Role Purpose

Manages technical operations and continuous improvement efforts. Leads and manages a cross-functional group to support new and existing products, processes and/or technologies to the business. Achieves cost, quality, asset effectiveness and service objectives while meeting all safety, health, and environmental requirements. Creates a safe and positive work environment which fosters innovation

Responsibilities:
•    Lead and support rapid prototyping teams in the design, build, and delivery of optical connectivity prototypes for fiber optic network applications.
•    Drive prototype execution from concept through build, evaluation, and handoff to Technology teams or manufacturing operations, meeting functional, timing, and cost objectives.
•    Collaborate cross-functionally with customers, Market Development, Product Line Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and advanced R&D to ensure prototype objectives, feasibility, and manufacturability are aligned, 
•    Contribute to prototype planning, resource coordination, and execution strategy in support of product and technology development roadmaps, and identify and implements opportunities to improve prototype responsiveness, build quality, cost, and execution efficiency through improved materials, fabrication methods, supplier coordination, and process standardization.
•    Work with internal and external subject matter experts, tooling designers, fabrication suppliers, contract manufacturers, and cable assembly houses to maintain awareness of emerging fabrication methods, tooling approaches, assembly techniques, and optical connectivity technologies and support their application across new product introductions and process improvements to establish build requirements and deliver prototypes effectively, thus ensuring prototype requirements, design details, changes, and lessons learned are properly documented in conjunction with manufacturing, development, and commercial personnel.
•    Support intellectual property development by contributing to and documenting new ideas for possible patent submissions in accordance with Corning’s IP management process.
•    Maintain and promote a safe work environment while fostering creativity, urgency, and technical rigor in prototype development.

Travel Requirements:
•    Up to 15% on average depending on the project requirements.  

Work Schedule:
•    8am-5pm; 40 hours/week, with flexibility for additional hours as needed.

Qualifications:
•    BS in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or applicable technical discipline.
•    7+ years of experience in development, prototyping, manufacturing engineering, or experimental laboratory environment; working across multiple product concepts, fabrication methods, and/or manufacturing processes, with a proven track record of providing technical direction or leadership to engineers, technicians, or project teams to support prototype design, build, and delivery activities.
•    7+ years of experience demonstrating strong data-driven analytical approach, and decision making, applying structured problem-solving methods in a fast-paced development environment including design coordination, material procurement, fabrication planning, assembly, and delivery to translate customer and development team requirements into practical, functional prototype solutions.
•    5+ years of leadership or management experience coordinating technical projects from concept through prototype build and evaluation, with demonstrated ability to lead and influence project teams in a matrixed environment; driving continuous improvement, innovation, and technical capability growth within development or prototyping organizations. while responding effectively to changing priorities and prototype-related uncertainty.

Desired Skills:
•    Knowledge of optical connectivity solutions, including cable/connector interactions, optical hardware, and fiber optic cable fundamentals.
•    Project management experience with demonstrated use of formal tools and methodologies, and demonstrated ability to develop project plans, manage timelines, and coordinate internal and external resources working with suppliers, fabrication shops, contract manufacturers, and global manufacturing plants.
•    Demonstrated, applied mechanical aptitude and hands-on technical capability, including familiarity with prototype tooling, fabrication methods, pilot builds, and process documentation, and supporting manufacturability assessment and implementation of new process technologies.

Soft Skills:
•    High engagement with demonstrated ability to develop, support, influence and inspire teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial functions while modeling effective leadership behaviors.
•    Ability to build relationships within cross-functional and global groups; team-building skills.
•    Adept at simplifying and aligning complex technical needs to set clear prototype priorities and execution direction.