Program Manager - Optical Mounting Technologies

Program Manager - Optical Mounting Technologies
** Date:
** Jul 22, 2026
*
* Location:

** Corning, NY, US, 14831
** Company:
** Corning

Requisition Number: 76705
** 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.  Corning's businesses are ever-evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets.

We are changing the world with: + Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives + Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected + Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light + Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences + Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation + Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions
** Role Purpose
** Corning is seeking a Technical Program Manager to lead Advanced Optics' Optical Mounting Technologies portfolio supporting Precision Optics and Aerospace & Defense applications. The role drives execution of strategic development programs, defines the optical mounting technology roadmap, identifies capability gaps, and secures funding. Key focus areas include supply continuity and manufacturing support for organic adhesives, development of next-generation adhesives and materials, and advancing future bonding and mounting technologies.

The position balances near-term product and manufacturing needs with long-term technology development and capability growth. Working across Research, Development, Engineering, Manufacturing, Product Line Management, and Business Leadership, the Program Manager ensures critical technologies and capabilities are developed, aligned to business strategy, and successfully transitioned into products and manufacturing.
** Key Responsibilities** + Lead adhesive and next-generation materials development from lab-scale evaluations through plant testing, scale-up, manufacturing, and quality specifications + Ensure adhesive and material supply continuity through supplier management, second sourcing efforts, and coordinated technical responses in the event of supply interruptions + Develop and maintain the long-term Optical Mounting Technologies roadmap supporting Precision Optics and Aerospace & Defense business objectives, identifying technology gaps and strategic development opportunities + Lead a portfolio of development programs spanning new adhesives for optical bonding, optomechanical integration, and non-polymer bonding technologies + Establish priorities, secure funding, and manage budgets to drive multi-year execution across the portfolio + Identify, justify, and help establish critical capabilities required to advance optics mounting technologies, including characterization, reliability testing, and metrology methods + Champion the Precision Bonding & Assembly Center of Excellence, driving cross-business coordination between Advanced Optics and Corning Optical Communications to align shared capabilities across a broad set of stakeholders + Lead cross-functional teams and external collaborations with suppliers, research organizations, equipment providers, and strategic partners + Provide regular program updates and executive communications to AO and business leadership, and supervise and develop assigned personnel
** Experiences/Education - Required** + Advanced degree and relevant experience (MS + 10 years, PhD + 5 years) in materials, chemistry, physics, optomechanics, precision manufacturing, mechanical engineering, or related disciplines + Program and portfolio management skills with demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple technical work streams while maintaining alignment to long-term business strategy + Proven technical aptitude with the ability to evaluate technical tradeoffs, identify key risks, and challenge assumptions across multidisciplinary teams + Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and external collaborations involving technical, manufacturing, commercial, supply chain, and business stakeholders + Occasional travel