Supervisor (R&D)

About the role

The successful candidate will be a working supervisor responsible for leading a team of engineers and technicians in the development of new cable products and processes. This role requires knowledge of cable design, burn testing, cable processing techniques, and flame-retardant plastics. The Development Supervisor will guide and develop engineers and technicians while also leading projects as needed. Strong collaboration and coordination across multiple groups are essential.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, train, and guide engineers and technicians assigned to the team in project leadership, engineering skills, and working effectively with plant systems that support cable development
• Cook up development activities with commercial and production groups from project initiation through product transfer
• Conduct research, propose experiments, and analyze data to test hypotheses, deepen understanding of products and processes, and deliver inventive solutions for new development efforts
• Design new equipment, or modify and optimize existing equipment, to support cable development
• Identify and investigate new processing techniques to enable innovative cable designs
• Balance hands-on technical work with team leadership responsibilities
• Create new intellectual property for Corning
• Interface with suppliers and procurement to develop state-of-the-art processes and evaluate flame-retardant materials available globally
• Manage risk assessments related to cable designs, materials, equipment, and processes, including staff safety, plant safety, environmental impact, and customer field issues related to product performance

Requirements

• Strong team leadership, coaching, and people development skills
• Ability to execute project assignments in a team-based environment with minimal supervision
• Strong problem-solving ability using engineering principles and structured methods such as MEE
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude
• Ability to communicate technical ideas clearly and effectively
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office tools
• Familiarity with flame retardant materials, processing, and fiber optic cable burn tests.
• Ability to guide individuals while managing multiple projects simultaneously

Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering
• Experience in fiber optics, flame-retardant cable development, or manufacturing is preferred

Skills

• Experience leading technical projects from concept through implementation
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across team leadership and project execution
• Experience with project planning, scheduling, and cross-functional coordination
• Continuous process design and development experience
• Experience with polymer extrusion processes
• Ability to perform complex data analysis using Microsoft Excel, including SPC, or statistical software such as JMP or Minitab
• Demonstrated use of modeling or simulation software in the development of new products or processes
• Experience with computer-aided design for mechanical drawings
• Experience translating technical findings into practical recommendations for manufacturing or development teams
• Experience supporting new product or process scale-up in a manufacturing environment

Soft Skills (Communication/Team/Leadership)

• Solid people leadership skills, including coaching, accountability, and team development
• Positive attitude and strong learning agility
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage teams, management, and customers
• Ability to communicate effectively in a global work environment
• Strong facilitation and collaboration skills to evaluate technical options and align stakeholders on direction
• Bias toward action, with strong personal initiative, attention to detail, and results orientation
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Ability to influence across functions and drive progress while maintaining technical quality
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fast-paced development environment
• Ability to balance day-to-day supervisory responsibilities with longer-term project objectives

Travel

Up To 25% (national/international)