Combustion and Emissions Systems Engineer
Cummins· Automotive· Oct 19, 2026 · 9d ago
Columbus, IN, United States
In office
Full-time
Mid
$115K–$166K est.
2+ years exp
Job description
Job Summary:
This entry level/early career professional, dual applied science/product systems focused position utilizes the core competencies of thermal and fluid sciences in the specialized areas of combustion and emissions science, using and advancing analytical and experimental approaches to answer key questions about the performance and architecture of a system or component. This drives decisions and creates technical content which ultimately leads to state of the art, highly effective, environmentally friendly, and competitive products.
Key Responsibilities:
Investigates product, system, and/or technology problems that are related to thermal and fluid sciences, understands causal mechanisms, recommends appropriate action, owns problem resolution and documents results with guidance from more experienced team members. Applies and supports the improvement of processes such as Pre Program Planning, (PPP), Product Preceding Technology, (PPT), Value Package Introduction (VPI), or Value Package Change, (VPC), Engineering Standard Work, (ESW), Functional Excellence Practice (FEP)s and tools related to thermal and fluid sciences such as GT-Power, Fluent, Converge, Concerto, CyberApps (virtual application model), Cummins Data Analysis Tool (CDAT), Mach, test data calculation, DARTS, test data storage, Calterm, Electronic Control Module (ECM) calibration tool, Emissions data system, Integrity, and ACCEPTS ECM in-loop test bench required to support the processes and enable high quality decision making. Obtains input and negotiates with immediate stakeholders, such as team members, technical managers, project leaders, other Thermal Science engineers, product and manufacturing engineers, and supplier partners and delivers information and recommendations to support project decisions, or to provide input related to further analysis, design optimization, feasibility studies, or architecture definition. Makes decisions in the areas of day to day project details, such as conducting analysis, testing, and communication with stakeholders that impact and support the successful progression of projects. Owns problem resolution for moderately complex components, products, systems, subsystems or services with technical complexity and ambiguity increasing as experience is gained in the role. Provides independent execution of established work processes and systems, while still developing technology or product knowledge; engages with the improvement of systems and processes. Involves minimal direct management of people, but could involve the coordination and direction of work amongst technicians and/or temporary student employees. Contributes effectively toward team goals, exhibits influence within a work group and continues to develop proficiency in the competency areas critical to success in the role.
Competencies:
Applies Principles of Combustion and Emissions Science - Interprets and predicts the performance of combustion systems by leveraging a quantitative and intuitive comprehension of the conversion of chemical energy to heat by reacting a fuel with an oxidizer, the formation of exhaust pollutants, modeling tools, controls, and experimental tools to answer key questions about the system or component.
Applies Principles of Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer - Interprets and predicts the performance of fluid and thermal systems by leveraging a quantitative and intuitive comprehension of the flow of liquids and gases, the transfer of thermal energy between elements of a system, and the application of modeling and experimental tools, to answer key questions about the system or component.
Applies Principles of Thermodynamics and Energy Conversion Systems - Interprets and predicts the performance of energy conversion systems such as IC engines, gas turbines, fuel cells, and batteries, by leveraging a quantitative and intuitive comprehension of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, modeling tools, controls, and experimental tools to answer key questions about the system or component.
Product Failure Mode Avoidance - Mitigates potential product failure modes, by identifying interfaces, functions, functional requirements, interactions, control factors, noise factors, and prioritized potential failure modes and potential failure causes for the system of interest to effectively and efficiently improve the reliability of Cummins’ products.
Product Function Modeling, Simulation and Analysis - Impacts product design decisions through the utilization and/or interpretation of computational tools and methods that predict the capability of a product's function relative to its system, sub-system and/or component level requirements.
Product Problem Solving - Solves product problems using a process that protects the customer; determines the assignable cause; implements robust, data-based solutions; and identifies the systemic root causes and recommended actions to prevent problem reoccurrence.
System Requirements Engineering - Uses appropriate methods and tools to translate stakeholder needs into verifiable requirements to which designs are developed; establishes acceptance criteria for the system of interest through analysis, allocation and negotiation; tracks the status of requirements throughout the system lifecycle; assesses the impact of changes to system requirements on project scope, schedule, and resources; creates and maintains information linkages to related artifacts.
Systems Thinking - Defines the system of interest by drawing the boundaries, identifying its context within its environment, its interfaces, and that it has a lifecycle to aid in planning the problem statement, scope and deliverables ; analyzes linkages and interactions between elements that comprise the system of interest by using appropriate methods, models and integration of outcomes to understand the system, predict its behavior and devise modifications to it in order to produce the desired effects.
Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Communicates effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Decision quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
Drives results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
Self-development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
Applies Principles of Statistical Methods - Analyzes technical data using descriptive statistics, probability distributions, graphical analysis, and statistical inference (population and sample, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing); models relationships between response and independent variables using analysis of variance, regression, and design of experiments to make rigorous, data-based decisions.
Product Verification and Validation Management - Develops product systems validation plans from a variety of inputs to identify failure modes, while managing product risk and relative priority; negotiates product requirements against capability to guide project scope; evaluates analytical, simulation and physical test results to verify product capability and validate requirements; assesses legacy versus proposed system solution capabilities and produces recommendations with technical documentation to support product decisions.
Technical Documentation - Documents information based on knowledge gained as part of technical function activities; communicates to stakeholders with the goal of enabling improved technical productivity and effective knowledge transfer to others who were not originally part of the initial learning.
Product Development Execution, Monitoring and Control - Plans, schedules, coordinates and executes the activities involved in developing a product to a respectively aligned hierarchy of requirements and technical profiles; monitors and communicates across functional boundaries to meet project resource and quality expectations; ensures product capability meets or exceeds expectations and takes mitigating actions when project risks are higher than expected; understands the full product life cycle process and stakeholders.
Design and Application of Open/Closed Loop Controls - Specifies software features that interact with mechanical, hydraulic, chemical and electronic systems to deliver desired system states; specifies control system architectures which include appropriate measurements, correct actuation, and algorithms for Cummins' products; configures and/or understands open/closed loop feedback controls features and the system interactions between hardware and software in Cummins' products.
U.S. Early Careers Eligibility Requirements :
Exempt Entry Level : Designed for external candidates within 2 years of completing their highest level of degree (Bachelor, Master, PhD, MBA, or JD) from an accredited U.S. college/university, and currently reside within the continental U.S.
International Student Eligibility (U.S. based roles): F-1 visa students must have approved Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Occupational Practical Training (OPT) before their Early Career assignment begin. CPT/OPT must relate to their degree and be authorized by their university. Students are responsible for securing this approval through their school’s international office.
Education, Licenses, Certifications:
College, university, or equivalent Bachelor's degree in Engineering or appropriate STEM field is required.
This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.
Experience:
Entry level/Early career professional. Preferred candidates would have relevant experience working in either a temporary student employment environment (intern, co-op, or other extracurricular team activities) or as an early career professional in a relevant technical discipline area. Knowledge of MS Office tools is also preferred
Responsibilities
• Assist in investigating product, system, or technology issues by collecting data, performing basic analysis, and preparing draft documentation under supervision.
• Utilize engineering tools (e.g., MATLAB, Calterm, CDAT, Minitab) by executing predefined tasks or data analysis and simulations with guidance.
• Participate in engineering processes such as Project Problem Solving (PPS), Failure Incident Review Group (FIRG), Value Package Introduction (VPI), and Engineering Standard Work (ESW) by completing assigned tasks and learning process flow.
• Attend team meetings and technical discussions to observe stakeholder interactions and prepare meeting notes or draft summaries.
• Support testing and validation activities by assisting in test setup, data collection, and preliminary analysis under engineer supervision.
• Prepare draft documentation for design changes, test results, or analysis findings for review by team members.
• Collaborate with technicians and other interns on assigned tasks, escalating coordination needs to the mentor or supervisor.
• Engage in team activities, ask questions, and contribute observations to support team goals and personal learning.
Qualifications and Competencies
Product Problem Solving
Solves product problems using a process that protects the customer; determines the assignable cause; implements robust, data-based solutions; and identifies the systemic root causes and recommended actions to prevent problem reoccurrence.
Systems Thinking
Defines the system of interest by drawing the boundaries, identifying its context within its environment, its interfaces, and that it has a lifecycle to aid in planning the problem statement, scope and deliverables; analyzes linkages and interactions between elements that comprise the system of interest by using appropriate methods, models, and integration of outcomes to understand the system, predict its behavior, and devise modifications to it in order to produce the desired effects.
College Job type: Entry Level Full Time
Subfunction: Thermal and Fluid Systems
Degree level: MS
Educational Program: Prefer ME
Start date: January 2027
Job Skill Requirements:
The candidate will collaborate with systems performance engineers on challenging projects related (but not limited) to the following:
• Emissions robustness
• Deficiency removal and agency approval
• PPS (Product Problem Solving)
• VPCR (Value Package Change Request)
• PPI (Proactive Product Improvement)
Key Responsibilities:
• The candidate will work on projects that comprise of various functions like OBD, Cert and Compliance, Controls, Subject Matter Experts and represent SPI (systems performance integration).
• The candidate will be running a test cell as needed, covering SPI - Engine, Aftertreatment, Controls and OBD (On Board Diagnostics).
•
The candidate will evaluate field test data after the change is rolled to test vehicles.
Functional/Technical Skills:
• Analytical work, including system analysis and data analysis.
• Experimental work including engine testing of instrumented current product engines.
• Assisting in identifying solution for current product issues and optimize system performance in a test cell.
•
Matlab, Calterm, Calbert, Cross and other engineering software's.
Teamwork / Leadership Skills:
• You may be working on more than one project at a time, work priority management will be important.
• Flexibility.
• Interact cross-functionally with the various support organizations.
• Interpersonal and good communication skills.
This entry level/early career professional, dual applied science/product systems focused position utilizes the core competencies of thermal and fluid sciences in the specialized areas of combustion and emissions science, using and advancing analytical and experimental approaches to answer key questions about the performance and architecture of a system or component. This drives decisions and creates technical content which ultimately leads to state of the art, highly effective, environmentally friendly, and competitive products.
Application prep
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- Platform
- oracle-cloud
- Effort
- medium
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