Supervisor R&D Mechanical Prototype Lab

Requisition Number: 78525   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

Corning is seeking a hands-on Supervisor for our Research and Development (R&D) Mechanical Prototype Lab to lead a team of technicians supporting the development of fiber optic enclosures and related hardware products. In this role, you will oversee lab operations, drive team performance, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality prototypes in support of product development projects, strategic initiatives, and customer sample requests. This is a leadership role at the intersection of technical execution and cross-functional partnership, with visibility across engineering, product management, and commercial teams.

Lead and develop a team of lab technicians — setting clear expectations, managing workload prioritization, and supporting individual growth through coaching and skill-building. Manage the prototype request log, balancing product development and commercial priorities to meet project milestones and customer timelines. Provide hands-on support for fabrication, mechanical assembly, troubleshooting, rework, and prototype modifications; ensure builds meet engineering drawings and provided specifications. Maintain a safe, organized lab environment using 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain), visual management, and standard work; coordinate equipment maintenance and calibration. Partner with cross-functional teams to align on priorities and communicate lab capacity, risks, and project status; track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) for prototype turnaround, build quality, and lab efficiency.

Experiences/Education - Required

1 + years of previous supervisory, team-lead, or demonstrated technical leadership experience. Hands-on mechanical aptitude with experience in fabrication, mechanical assembly, and troubleshooting. Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, bills of material (BOMs), and technical documentation. Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline. Willingness to travel up to 10%, including domestic and international

Experiences/Education - Desired

Mechanical Engineering degree preferred. Experience supporting engineering builds, prototype development, new product introduction (NPI), or customer sample requests. Experience with fiber optic enclosures or related hardware products. Familiarity with