Director, Advanced Optical Components, OCS Technology (m/f/d)

Date: Oct 2, 2026

Location: Berlin, DE, 12489

Company: Corning

Requisition Number: 78217

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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.

For our location in Berlin, Germany, we are looking for a

Director, Advanced Optical Components, OCS Technology (m/f/d)

Scope of Position:

• Oversee innovation and product development of advanced passive optical components for hyperscale data center and optical computing networks.
• Partner closely with Business Technology Directors, Commercial, Market Development, and Product Line Management to develop long-term and short-term roadmaps for new product introduction.
• Set the direction for technical capability enhancement and expansion to meet the business needs.
• Provide technical leadership for Global Business Teams, Business Team portfolio prioritization.
• Directorate budget responsibility.
• Responsible for the overall leadership of a global organization of ~100 full time employees; located across EMEA, U.S., APAC, and Mexico.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver differentiated solutions to key programs addressing customer needs, providing cost and sustainability advantages, considering manufacturing scalability requirements to grow Corning’s competitive advantage.
• Support early-stage product development in research and applied research and development (AR&D) with optical design and design for manufacturing expertise.
• Drive new product introductions as project sponsor or a member of steering team from project launch to product release to manufacturing.
• Accountable for delivering innovations on-budget and on-time and responsible for delivering against communicated and accepted financial objectives.
• Collaborate with Commercial teams to identify early- stage opportunities and evaluate business cases.
• Navigate complex stakeholder environments by balancing business priorities, technical requirements, customer expectations, and organizational dynamics with sound judgment and professionalism.
• Work with the Business Technology Directors, Market development, PLM and Manufacturing to develop 5-year plan.
• Engage in technical discussions with customers. Understand application requirements. Identify opportunities for competitive differentiation.
• Build trusted relationships with demanding internal and external customers, constructively addressing concerns, resolving friction, and maintaining alignment around shared business outcomes.
• Plan annual budget, manage directorate resources, leverage corporate capability and expertise.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and customer driven mindset.
• Serve as a credible, steady leader in high-pressure situations, using influence, transparency, and fact-based decision-making to move work forward across organizational boundaries.
• Continuously seek ways to improve operation effectiveness
• Talent planning, supervising and mentoring.
• Provide periodical activity highlights and status reports.
• Conduct Communication meetings.
• Participate in technical and execution reviews.
• Invention Disclosure committee for Micro-optics products.

Required Skills and Education:

• Ph.D. or master’s degree in physics, Electrical Engineering, or other relevant and related STEM discipline.
• Knowledge and experience with optical communications manufacturing equipment processes and steps, materials processing within manufacturing, and optical communications applications.
• Extensive experience in the management of complex, cross-functional, culturally diverse teams containing both technical and non-technical roles.
• Minimum of 10 years total of functional leadership and 5 years project/technical leadership experience.
• Demonstrated personal initiative with a track record of completing challenging business objectives.
• Demonstrated communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills at all levels of an organization (team, peer, and executive levels) with a demonstrated ability to build relationships in a heavily matrixed, team environment. Collaboration to achieve Corning goals.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority, manage competing stakeholder agendas, and resolve sensitive issues with discretion, diplomacy, and appropriate escalation when needed.
• Ability to educate and guide the application of Corning’s innovation process.
• Ability to solve difficult leadership tasks and implement executive decisions.
• Supplier and customer contact experience with the ability to translate needs into relevant and actionable requirements.
• Effective leadership, organization, and planning skills, with ability to handle ambiguity, changing priorities and changing requirements.
• Proven executive presence and resilience in ambiguous, high-friction, or highly matrixed environments, with the ability to maintain productive relationships while driving accountability and results.
• Change agent who continuously improves organizational practices and adapts to evolving business needs, structure, COC technology requirements.

Desired Skills and Education:

• Multiple-year work experience in at least two of the following areas: Commercial, Development, Manufacturing, or Engineering.
• Knowledge and experience with Co-Packaged Optics and Silicon Photonics.
• Innovation process experience.
• Ability to guide teams to apply scientific methods to resolve complex technical issues.
• Completion of formal project management and leadership training.
• Business and Financial acumen.
• Strategy and Intellectual Property creation experience.

Soft Skills:

• Strong independent work ethic with the ability to inspire a team to meet/exceed objectives and timelines.
• Attention to detail with superior organizational skills.
• Proactive communication skills effectively adapted to topics and audiences.
• Highly polished communicator who can tailor messages for technical, commercial, customer, and executive audiences while maintaining credibility and composure during difficult conversations.
• Ability to lead and interactively across cross-functional teams with linkages to Research, Early-Stage Development, Manufacturing, Commercial, Finance, GSM, and others as required.
• Strong political savvy and emotional intelligence; able to anticipate stakeholder concerns, de-escalate tension, and create forward momentum in complex business situations.

Travel Requirements:

• Typically up to 30-40% some international to EMEA and APAC specifically.

A job that shapes a life.

Corning offers you the total package.

Your well-being is our top priority. Our Compensation & Benefits package supports your health and well-being, your financial goals, and your career—from day one.

• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentive programs are linked to key business results, ensuring you're rewarded when the company succeeds. When Corning wins, we all win.
• Our health and well-being benefits include company-funded retirement plan, paid leave, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
• Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling valued and recognized motivates us even more. That's why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate achievements and recognize colleagues who deliver exceptional performance.

Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at [email protected].