Program Manager

Program Manager

Date: Aug 5, 2026

Location: Hickory, NC, US, 28601Wilmington, NC, US, 28405McAllen, TX, US, 78501Austin, TX, US, 78726Charlotte, NC, US, 28216Keller, TX, US, 76248

Company: Corning

Requisition Number: 76254

**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.

Purpose

The Program Manager will lead large, complex engineering initiatives that are critical to business execution and long-term growth. This role will initially primarily support major Capacity Expansion programs, but may also provide leadership across other strategic initiatives, including Automation, New Product Introduction, and Cost Reduction efforts. These responsibilities may evolve based on business priority changes.

This is a global role with responsibility for coordinating programs across key regions and sites, including the United States, Mexico, China, and Poland. The Program Manager will drive alignment across cross-functional and cross-regional teams, translate strategic priorities into executable plans, and lead disciplined execution across technical, operational, and capital-related workstreams.

This role also plays a critical part in program governance at the divisional level. The Program Manager must be able to communicate high-level program strategies, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to the Division Executive Leadership Team and lead effective decision-making at the steering team level. Success in this role requires the ability to frame complex issues clearly, present strategic options, and help leaders make strong, timely decisions that keep programs aligned with business priorities

Responsibilities

• Manage programs with global scope, coordinating teams, stakeholders, and execution activities across the United States, Mexico, China, and Poland; provide program leadership across a broad portfolio of strategic initiatives, including Automation, New Product Introduction, and Cost Reduction projects.

• Translate business and engineering opportunities and initiatives into clear program strategies, objectives, deliverables, milestones, and execution plans to drive alignment across engineering, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, and other cross-functional teams

• Lead efforts to secure necessary capital funds to execute large scale programs through effective use of Corning capital management tools, methods, and processes

• Prepare executive-level communications on program strategies, risks, tradeoffs, and key decision needs to the Division Executive Leadership Team, including recommendations that clearly outline options, business impacts, execution risks, and proposed paths forward for critical decisions

• Establish strong program governance - including milestone reviews, decision forums, risk management, action tracking, scope change management, program performance metrics, and stakeholder communication to promote standard program management best practices and methods, and drives continuous improvement across the portfolio

• Lead large, high-impact engineering programs and teams (10 members or more) with primary initial focus on Capacity Expansion initiatives

Travel requirements:

• Up to 20-25% travel in the US, China, Mexico or Poland depending on the program requirements and timing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field

• 10+ years) in program management, project management, engineering, manufacturing, or technical operations. Includes supervisory or managerial experience demonstrating success leading large, cross-functional or cross-regional programs and teams with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and significant business impact

• Experience leading programs involving capital projects above $10M, manufacturing operations, technical implementation, or operational improvement; which demonstrates ability to adapt across multiple project types based on business priorities, and drive alignment and execution in a matrixed organization

• 6+ years of experience with Automation, New Product Introduction, and/or Cost Reduction initiatives involving experience leading or supporting Capacity Expansion programs in an engineering or manufacturing environment

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated ability to engage technical teams, site leadership, and senior leadership to communicate strategic program direction, tradeoffs, and recommendations to senior leadership to support executive and steering team decision-making through clear analysis, structured communication, and sound judgment, and demonstrating ability to influence without direct authority

Desired Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Completion of formal project management training with further preference for Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

• Six Sigma Black Belt and/or Lean training, experience or certification

• Early stage innovation training (LFM) for new product introductions (NPI)

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $137,472.00 - $189,024.00 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.

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**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.

Nearest Major Market: Hickory