Sr Capital Project Leader

Corning Incorporated; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 97,542 - 134,121; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses & incentives

Pension plan

401(k) matching

Health benefits

Parental leave

Job summary

Corning Incorporated is seeking a Project Lead to drive deployment, commissioning, and startup of manufacturing equipment at its OFC facilities in North Carolina. You will lead capital projects to expand capacity and capability, aligning with technology needs and business goals.

The role requires 5+ years in engineering leadership for capital projects and a strong technical and financial acumen, with travel and cross-functional collaboration across Operations, Engineering, IT and Quality.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or Chemical Engineering, or similar technical degree.
• At least 5 years’ experience in leadership/management roles for capital manufacturing equipment projects or similar leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects or subprojects with capital scopes $1M–$15M, managing schedules, budgets, deliverables and scope changes.
• Manage end-to-end project phases: funding, design, procurement, logistics, installation, commissioning and handover.
• Apply Corning’s Capital Management System to scope, fund and deliver projects.
• Ensure safe execution and lead multidisciplinary teams of 3–10 members.
• Communicate status, risks and decisions to stakeholders and governance bodies.

Skills

Technical background

Analytical skills

Budgeting

Cross-functional collaboration

Multitasking

Education

Engineering degree (BS/MS)

Tools

AutoCAD

Inventor

MS Project

MS Office

Teams

Job description

Role Overview

The Project Lead supports the deployment, commissioning, and startup of manufacturing equipment within Corning Optical Communications’ global Optical Fiber and Cable (OFC) facilities. This role provides leadership for capital projects that expand manufacturing capacity and capability, ensuring alignment with OFC technology needs and business objectives.

Location: Wilmington, NC or Concord, NC.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead individual projects or subprojects within broader technology programs with capital scopes ranging from $1M–$15M, managing schedules, budgets, deliverables, and scope changes.
• Manage end‑to‑end project phases including funding, design, procurement, logistics, installation, commissioning, and handover. Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Apply Corning’s Capital Management System to scope, fund, and deliver projects.
• Ensure safe execution across all activities and promptly address safety gaps, leading multidisciplinary, matrixed teams of 3–10 members.
• Communicate status, risks, and decisions to stakeholders, steering teams, and governance bodies.

Education and Experience

• BS or MS in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or Chemical Engineering, or similar technical degree.
• At least 5 years’ experience in leadership/management roles for capital manufacturing equipment projects or similar manufacturing or engineering leadership experience.

Required Skills

• Strong technical background in equipment design, selection, and troubleshooting.
• Analytical ability to evaluate equipment, construction, and manufacturing cost tradeoffs.
• Financial acumen for budgeting and business‑case development.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across Operations, Engineering, IT, Finance, and Quality.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast‑changing environments.

Desired Skills

• Experience in optical fiber manufacturing, engineering, or operations.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, Inventor, MS Project, MS Office, and Teams.
• Proven project management capability in scope, budget, and schedule development.

Travel Requirements

• 50% – Typical travel can range from a few days to a few weeks during the project initiation phase; travel may be full‑time during the deployment phase.
• Travel will be required to Corning Optical Fiber and Cable Manufacturing sites in North Carolina and potentially international.

Work Schedule

• 40+ hours per week Monday‑Friday; adjusted hours and weekends may be required based on project life cycle.
• Position is overtime exempt. Overtime is not uncommon and may be expected at times.

Immigration Sponsorship

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

Compensation

The range for this position is $97,542.00 – $134,121.00 for full‑time status.

Benefits

• Company‑wide bonuses and long‑term incentives aligned with key business results.
• Company‑paid pension benefit with fixed contributions; matching contributions to 401(k) savings plans, totaling 7%–12% of pay.
• Health and well‑being benefits: 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.
• Recognition program to celebrate successes and reward exceptional contributions.

EEO Statement

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 under applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request accommodations at [e-mail].