The posting
Job Description
We are looking for a talented Product Engineering Specialist to join our Cummins Inc. team in Seymour, IN.
In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways:
- Lead validation planning and execution for critical lube, cooling, and breather system components, ensuring product performance, durability, and reliability.
- Drive technically sound product decisions by collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and customer-facing teams.
- Investigate complex product failures and identify root causes through data analysis, component inspection, testing, and engineering evaluation.
- Develop and enhance validation methods, test strategies, and engineering processes that improve product quality and risk mitigation.
- Assess technical risks associated with new designs, supplier changes, manufacturing changes, and product applications to support successful product launches.
- Serve as a technical specialist and trusted advisor for resolving field, production, and customer-related product performance concerns.
- Mentor engineers and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen engineering capability and organizational knowledge.
Responsibilities
To be successful in this role, you will need the following:
- Demonstrated expertise in product development, validation, verification, and risk assessment across the product lifecycle, with the ability to manage complex technical challenges and ambiguity.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities with experience leading root-cause investigations, evaluating technical data, and implementing robust corrective actions.
- Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams, build effective relationships, and communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences.
- Deep understanding of mechanical system design, product integration, failure mode avoidance, and engineering decision-making supported by data and technical evidence.
- Ability to balance technical rigor, project execution, and business priorities while consistently delivering high-quality results.
Education, Licenses, Certifications:
College, university, or equivalent Bachelor's degree in Engineering or appropriate STEM field is required.
Post-graduate (Master's) degree relevant to this discipline area may be required for select roles.
This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.
Experience:
Prior Senior or Lead Engineer equivalent work experience in a relevant discipline area is required with a demonstrated track record of technical problem solving and quality decision making. Knowledge of MS Office tools is preferred.
Qualifications
Additional Responsibilities & Preferred Key Competencies:
- Serve as the technical lead for lube, cooling, and breather systems, providing engineering expertise across component development, validation, durability, and product performance initiatives.
- Own component- and subsystem-level validation strategies, including DVP&R development, requirements definition, test methodologies, acceptance criteria, timing, and risk mitigation plans.
- Lead complex failure investigations utilizing teardown analysis, test results, dimensional inspections, material evaluations, manufacturing history, and engineering assessments to establish root causes and corrective actions.
- Analyze and interpret engine, rig, component, field, and production data to identify trends, emerging risks, performance issues, and potential failure mechanisms.
- Correlate analytical, structural, thermal, dynamic, and system-level predictions with physical test outcomes to strengthen engineering conclusions and validation decisions.
- Evaluate technical risks associated with new designs, engineering changes, supplier transitions, manufacturing process changes, tooling modifications, and new applications.
- Evaluate component and subsystem interactions involving lubrication, sealing, thermal performance, vibration, dynamics, durability, and overall system integration.
- Develop technically sound documentation that clearly communicates engineering conclusions, assumptions, risks, validation results, and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership teams.
- Lead validation readiness reviews by identifying evidence gaps, challenging assumptions, assessing technical risk, and recommending actions prior to key project decisions.
- Support production, testing, field service, and customer issues requiring advanced technical investigation, analytical correlation, and cross-functional problem resolution.
- Collaborate closely with Product Engineering, Analysis, Testing, Manufacturing, Quality, Service, Supply Chain, and supplier partners to achieve project and business objectives.
- Apply independent engineering judgment to make data-driven recommendations when information is limited, evolving, or conflicting while clearly communicating assumptions and residual risks.
- Utilize engineering tools and methodologies such as Engineering Standard Work (ESW), iDFMEA, FIRG, Design Review Checklists, and 7-Step Problem Solving to drive quality decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Exhibit exceptional communication, decision-making, collaboration, resourcefulness, and stakeholder management skills while effectively navigating complex technical challenges.
- Provide technical mentorship and coaching to engineers, technicians, and student employees, helping strengthen organizational capability, engineering judgment, and technical excellence.
- Drive continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned from validation programs, field issues, and failure investigations and translating them into enhanced processes, design guidance, and reusable engineering knowledge.
About Us
Cummins is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity, or other status protected by law.
