Supervisor (R&D)

Corning•Hickory, NC

11d•$124,996 - $171,870•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

Strong team leadership, coaching, and people development skills
Ability to execute project assignments in a team-based environment with minimal supervision
Strong problem-solving ability using engineering principles and structured methods such as MEE
Demonstrated mechanical aptitude
Ability to communicate technical ideas clearly and effectively
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office tools
Familiarity with flame retardant materials, processing, and fiber optic cable burn tests.
Ability to guide individuals while managing multiple projects simultaneously
B.S. in Engineering
Experience in fiber optics, flame-retardant cable development, or manufacturing is preferred

Nice To Haves

Experience leading technical projects from concept through implementation
Ability to manage multiple priorities across team leadership and project execution
Experience with project planning, scheduling, and cross-functional coordination
Continuous process design and development experience
Experience with polymer extrusion processes
Ability to perform complex data analysis using Microsoft Excel, including SPC, or statistical software such as JMP or Minitab
Demonstrated use of modeling or simulation software in the development of new products or processes
Experience with computer-aided design for mechanical drawings
Experience translating technical findings into practical recommendations for manufacturing or development teams
Experience supporting new product or process scale-up in a manufacturing environment
Solid people leadership skills, including coaching, accountability, and team development
Positive attitude and strong learning agility
Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage teams, management, and customers
Ability to communicate effectively in a global work environment
Strong facilitation and collaboration skills to evaluate technical options and align stakeholders on direction
Bias toward action, with strong personal initiative, attention to detail, and results orientation
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
Ability to influence across functions and drive progress while maintaining technical quality
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fast-paced development environment
Ability to balance day-to-day supervisory responsibilities with longer-term project objectives

Responsibilities

Supervise, train, and guide engineers and technicians assigned to the team in project leadership, engineering skills, and working effectively with plant systems that support cable development
Coordinate development activities with commercial and production groups from project initiation through product transfer
Conduct research, propose experiments, and analyze data to test hypotheses, deepen understanding of products and processes, and deliver inventive solutions for new development efforts
Design new equipment, or modify and optimize existing equipment, to support cable development
Identify and investigate new processing techniques to enable innovative cable designs
Balance hands-on technical work with team leadership responsibilities
Collect, interpret, communicate, and document results in technical reports and presentations
Collaborate with research, manufacturing, and OCS functions throughout the product development cycle
Maintain strong technical interaction with development personnel in the U.S., Mexico, Germany, and Poland
Create new intellectual property for Corning
Interface with suppliers and procurement to develop state-of-the-art processes and evaluate flame-retardant materials available globally
Manage risk assessments related to cable designs, materials, equipment, and processes, including staff safety, plant safety, environmental impact, and customer field issues related to product performance