Product Engineer

Job Summary

The Engineering Manufacturing Interface (EMI) / Plant Product Engineer (PPE) acts as the technical bridge between Product Engineering and Manufacturing, supporting products throughout the development and production lifecycle. The role coordinates prototype, pilot, and production builds, ensures manufacturing readiness for new products, supports engineering changes and configuration management, and drives resolution of manufacturing and product quality issues.

The position works closely with Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Suppliers, and other cross-functional teams to ensure successful product introduction, robust manufacturing processes, and continuous product and process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the technical interface between Product Engineering and Manufacturing teams for current and future products.
• Support build events, prototype builds, pilot builds, and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
• Coordinate prototype, pilot, and production builds and track actions to ensure timely execution.
• Assess and verify manufacturing readiness for new products and engineering changes.
• Support APQP, PPAP, production validation, and product launch activities.
• Review, coordinate, and implement Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), and VPCRs at the plant.
• Coordinate design changes with Product Engineering and plant teams to ensure effective implementation.
• Create, release, maintain, and align Manufacturing Bill of Materials (MBOMs) with Engineering Bill of Materials (EBOMs).
• Support product configuration and change management throughout the product lifecycle.
• Investigate manufacturing, product, warranty, and field quality issues using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Lead or support root cause analysis, 8D, 7-step problem solving, and corrective/preventive action activities.
• Support DFMEA/PFMEA, design reviews, Failure Incident Review Group (FIRG), and other product quality processes.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Suppliers, Purchasing, and Customer teams to resolve technical issues.
• Support product verification and validation activities and evaluate test results against requirements.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, waste elimination, quality improvement, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Support warranty, reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain technical documentation and communicate product and manufacturing requirements effectively to stakeholders.
• Coordinate activities across functional teams to ensure project milestones, quality expectations, and production requirements are achieved.

Responsibilities

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Engineering, or a related Engineering/STEM discipline.
• Masters degree in a relevant engineering discipline is preferred for select roles.
• Relevant internship, co-op, project, or early-career experience in product development, manufacturing engineering, quality, or plant engineering is preferred.

 

Skills & Experience

• Understanding of product development, manufacturing engineering, plant engineering, or quality processes.
• Knowledge of GD&T, DFMEA/PFMEA, APQP, PPAP, Six Sigma/Lean, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience or knowledge of 8D, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and engineering problem-solving tools.
• Understanding of EBOM, MBOM, product configuration, and change management.
• Knowledge of CAD, PLM, and engineering change management systems.
• Understanding of product verification, validation, and manufacturing readiness processes.
• Ability to coordinate and manage engineering changes and implementation activities across multiple functions.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret technical and manufacturing data and make data-driven decisions.
• Knowledge of statistical methods, process improvement, and waste reduction techniques is preferred.
• Product knowledge of DEF dosing systems and Aftertreatment Systems is preferred.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Strong technical documentation and presentation skills.
• Ability to take ownership, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results within defined timelines.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is preferred.

   

Qualifications

Willingness to learn new products, technologies, processes, and engineering systems.

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.

---