Senior Project Manager

About Lightera

LIGHTERA has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in American business, tracing back to Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone over a century ago. We are a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, delivering innovative technologies that drive communication networks, data centers, and specialty photonics applications. With a deep legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions enabling faster, more reliable, and sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide. Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a multi-billion-dollar leader in optical communications, and operates with a global footprint serving telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets.

About the role

The Senior Project Manager will be part of Lightera’s emerging Global PMO organization, focused on leading and strengthening the execution of high-priority corporate initiatives, including large-scale Global CAPEX programs across manufacturing, fiber, and technology-enabled operations. This role will lead the successful execution of complex, cross-regional projects by improving delivery predictability, reducing execution risk, and enhancing executive visibility into strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Partner with initiative owners, business leaders, and regional stakeholders to define solutions, implementation strategies, and execution roadmaps
• Support the execution of large-scale Global CAPEX initiatives and strategic transformation programs across regions and business units
• Drive project governance, delivery predictability, risk mitigation, and executive reporting cadence for high-priority initiatives in manufacturing
• Deploy improvement plans with strong change management principles to deliver sustainable operational and financial results
• Establish and standardize project management tools, methodologies, governance processes, and best practices across functional teams and regions
• Lead multiple concurrent projects with strong prioritization based on project complexity and risk, not solely geography
• Develop and monitor KPIs, project dashboards, benchmarks, and reporting metrics to improve transparency and decision-making
• Sequence and prioritize initiatives aligned to senior leadership strategy and organizational objectives
• Support innovation partnerships and strategic initiatives involving new technologies, materials, capabilities, and manufacturing solutions
• Build relationships and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support sourcing, evaluation, and implementation of new ideas and capabilities
• Influence senior leadership to support project prioritization, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making
• Develop and support capital planning activities tied to strategic initiatives and operational investments
• Coach and mentor junior team members, initiative owners, and project stakeholders to improve project execution capabilities
• Other duties as assigned by manager

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field; MBA preferred
• 10+ years as a project manager in operations, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, or related environments
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required
• Experience applying Lean Six Sigma principles, process improvement methodologies, and operational excellence tools within manufacturing or industrial environments
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) certification preferred
• Experience in manufacturing environments related to telecommunication, fiber optic, and cable preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and project management tools like Microsoft Project, Planview, etc., and approved AI tools
• Demonstrated experience driving execution, governance, and change management for complex initiatives
• Ability to work autonomously to identify insights, assess risks, and develop data-driven recommendations
• Experience translating strategic opportunities into actionable implementation plans
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to influence senior leadership and build alignment across a global matrix organization
• Demonstrated coaching and leadership capabilities to develop teams and drive accountability

Work Environment

• Hybrid work environment with periodic travel up to 25% to manufacturing sites, regional offices, and strategic project locations as required
• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills
• Maintain discretion when working with confidential and proprietary information
• Strict adherence to Company safety policies and procedures, including following established health and safety policies, maintaining a clean and organized work area, wearing and properly storing all personal protective equipment (PPE), and actively engaging as a safety-conscious worker with personal safety and wellness as a priority
• Adhere to all aspects of Lightera’s Standards of Conduct
• Operate effectively within a global, matrixed organization with diverse stakeholders and priorities

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Medical and dental benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Matching 401(k) plan

Visa sponsorship not available. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future.