Optical System Core Capability Sr. Manager

Corning•Village of Fairport, NY

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.