AI Transformation & Portfolio Director

AI Transformation & Portfolio Director at Corning

Role Purpose

AI is rapidly becoming a new layer of capability that augments how scientists, engineers, and developers work — through AI assistants, domain copilots, co-scientists, software agents, and increasingly autonomous learning loops. We are hiring a Director of AI Transformation & Portfolio to lead that shift across our Technology Community: deliberately, coherently, and at scale.

This is a rare opportunity to lead an enterprise-wide AI transformation inside a global R&D organization with the scientific depth, industrial reach, and real-world problems that make AI meaningful. You will shape strategy, portfolio, foundations, partnerships, and talent — working with senior technology leaders, category leads across the Technology Community, IT Digital, and external partners across the AI ecosystem.

What you will do

• Lead Corning's Technology Community AI/Data transformation portfolio spanning materials discovery, product and process development, manufacturing intelligence, software productivity, knowledge access, decision support, data foundations, and workforce AI fluency.
• Advance the horizontal capabilities that all AI depends on — data, software, and compute — including HPC, cloud, GPUs, model serving, and infrastructure for foundation models, digital twins, and agentic AI.
• Shape Corning's Scientific AI strategy, including specialized scientific and domain models, hybrid physics/AI systems, AI co-scientists, and autonomous scientific workflows.
• Federate a matrixed leadership team of AI category leaders and drive reusable, extensible AI solutions across the organization.
• Grow AI talent capacity — data engineers, ML/DL specialists, GenAI engineers, and hybrid domain-AI practitioners — in partnership with HR and technology leadership.
• Partner closely with IT Digital on AI platforms, model access, architecture, security, and enterprise guardrails.
• Manage strategic partnerships with hyperscalers, AI platform companies, startups, academia, and open-source communities.
• Provide senior leadership with a clear, credible view of Corning's AI direction, choices, and impact.

What you bring

• Deep technical credibility in modern AI — generative AI, large language models, agentic systems, applied ML, and AI-enabled software engineering — combined with the judgment to make sound build / buy / partner decisions.
• Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional technology portfolios in a matrixed R&D, engineering, or advanced technology environment.
• Working understanding of scientific computing, AI infrastructure, and the trade-offs between cloud, on-prem, and specialized compute.
• Ability to translate AI capabilities into measurable innovation and business impact in a scientific and industrial context.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder skills — able to earn trust with senior scientists, engineers, software leaders, IT architects, and business executives.
• A leadership style that combines strategic clarity, technical depth, and the ability to move a large organization forward through influence rather than direct authority.

Experiences/Education - Required

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, applied mathematics, physics, materials science, data science, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of leadership experience across AI, data, software, or advanced R&D environments, including 5+ years in senior technical or portfolio leadership roles.
• Familiarity with scientific and engineering workflows, industrial R&D operations, or advanced manufacturing environments.

Experiences/Education - Desired

• Advanced degree highly preferred
• Experience shaping and delivering enterprise AI strategy at scale, including partnerships with hyperscalers and AI platform providers.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $194,764.00 - $267,801.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

A job that shapes a life.

Corning offers you the total package.

Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.

• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
• As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning’s total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
• Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease manag