Capability Project Manager

Corning Incorporated; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 143,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonuses

Pension plan with 401(k) matching

Comprehensive health benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Corning Incorporated is seeking a Capability Project Manager to lead cable technology and innovation initiatives onsite in Hickory, NC. The role drives strategic and operational leadership for program delivery and governance across R&D, manufacturing, and commercial teams.

With 10+ years in product development and 4+ years leading in a matrixed environment, you will build a high-performing PM organization, optimize resources, and accelerate development while ensuring quality and schedule

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or other relevant discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in Product Development, including full lifecycle management.
• Minimum 4 years of demonstrated communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills at all levels of an organization, especially in a matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team responsible for cable project delivery with strong execution and collaboration.
• Build and maintain a capability model and skills matrix for project leaders and managers, supporting career growth.
• Directly manage Project and Program Managers for major technology and innovation programs, including hiring, training, and performance management.
• Partner with business leaders to define value propositions, validate hypotheses, and establish governance for execution of innovation programs.
• Collaborate with Research, Development, Manufacturing, Product Innovation, Product Line Management, and divisions to guide product development and align execution with strategy.
• Ensure comprehensive program and project plans with resource allocation, budget adherence, and timely delivery of programs.
• Foster innovation by leveraging modeling and AI resources, resolving manufacturing issues, and promoting IP creation.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Minimum 4 years of leadership experience in a matrixed environment

Job description

Capability Project Manager

Date: Sep 10, 2026

Location: Hickory, NC, US, 28601

Company: Corning

Position is ONSITE

Requisition Number: 77982

**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.

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to provide strategic and operational leadership for cable technology and innovation program delivery, ensuring the successful execution of critical initiatives that advance business growth and technical differentiation. This leader is responsible for building a high-performing project and program management organization, strengthening talent and capability, and establishing the governance, prioritization, and cross-functional alignment required to deliver complex innovation programs effectively. The role connects business strategy with execution by partnering across Research, Development, Manufacturing, Product Line Management, and commercial teams to accelerate development, optimize resources, mitigate risk, and drive value creation through innovation, operational excellence, and intellectual property development.

Responsibilities:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team responsible for cable project delivery, ensuring strong execution, collaboration, and overall team performance.

• Build and maintain a capability model and skills matrix for project leaders and project managers, while assessing team members and supporting development plans to close gaps and enable career growth.

• Directly manage Project and Program Managers responsible for major technology and innovation programs, including hiring, training, performance management, resource planning, talent development, and compensation planning.

• Partner with business leaders to define value propositions, validate business hypotheses, and establish the structures, priorities, and governance needed to successfully execute innovation programs.

• Collaborate with Research, Development, Manufacturing, Product Innovation, Product Line Management, Division Engineering, and business teams to guide the product development cycle and align program execution with business strategy.

• Ensure comprehensive program and project plans are developed and executed, securing the resources needed, monitoring adherence to objectives, budgets, and schedules, and driving timely delivery of innovation programs.

• Foster a culture of innovation by leveraging modeling and AI resources to accelerate development, resolving manufacturing issues impacting quality, cost, delivery, or safety, and promoting intellectual property creation through records of invention.

Education and Experience- Required:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or other relevant discipline

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Product Development, including experience managing projects through the full lifecycle

• Minimum 4 years of documented experience with demonstrated communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills at all levels of an organization (team, peer, and senior executive levels) with a demonstrated ability to build relationships in a heavily matrixed, team environment

Desired Skills:

• Masters or PhD

• Completion of formal project management training

• Management experience including managing direct reports in a complex, cross-functional environment

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $143,473.00 - $197,276.00 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.

Nearest Major Market: Hickory