Combustion and Emissions Systems Technical Specialist

Cummins•Columbus, IN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Cummins is seeking a Combustion and Emissions Systems Technical Specialist for its Engine Performance team in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The role works on new and existing product systems to optimize engine and aftertreatment performance, fuel economy, hardware selection, diagnostics, features, emissions, and resolution of product issues. It includes evaluating performance at the engine and vehicle levels through hands-on assessment, validation, and testing. The specialist collaborates with engineers, technical managers, project leaders, manufacturing partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders to gather input, align on technical approaches, and provide data-driven guidance for project decisions. The role independently leads smaller business-impact initiatives or owns complex components and systems, including work with significant ambiguity, and remains accountable to the project team. It also applies and improves engineering processes, advances work systems within the functional discipline, coordinates technician and student-employee tasks, and coaches less-experienced engineers. The position calls for expertise in internal combustion engines, aftertreatment, combustion and emissions science, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, systems engineering, and modeling and simulation. Hands-on engine testing, chassis dynamometer or test cell operations, and familiarity with data acquisition and instrumentation are relevant. Experience presenting technical content to external customers and proficiency with data-processing tools are preferred; familiarity with on-highway emissions legislation, calibration, and OBD tuning is beneficial.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or an appropriate STEM field, or equivalent, is required.
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.
Solid understanding of internal combustion engines and aftertreatment systems.
Hands-on experience in engine testing and chassis dynamometer or test cell operations.
Familiarity with data acquisition and instrumentation.
Understanding of combustion processes, fuel-oxidizer reactions, pollutant formation, and system modeling.
Strong knowledge of fluid dynamics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and energy conversion systems.
Ability to analyze system interactions and failure modes, identify root causes, and implement durable, customer-focused solutions.
Ability to translate stakeholder needs into system requirements and use systems-thinking methods to guide architecture and integration decisions.
Ability to use computational tools and analytical methods to predict system or component capability and inform design choices.
Effective technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Sound judgment in complex or time-sensitive situations and a results-oriented approach.
The position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.

Nice To Haves

A relevant postgraduate (Master's) degree may be required for select roles.
Experience presenting technical content to external customers.
Proficiency with data-processing tools such as MATLAB, Concerto, Excel, or similar platforms.
Familiarity with on-highway emissions legislation, calibration practices, and OBD tuning.
Knowledge of MS Office tools.

Responsibilities

Optimize engine performance, fuel economy, hardware selection, diagnostic strategies, feature behavior, and tailpipe emissions across new and existing product systems.
Resolve product issues and assess engine and aftertreatment performance through hands-on testing, validation, and evaluation at engine and vehicle levels.
Conduct vehicle-level performance assessments, including on-road evaluations and chassis dynamometer testing.
Collaborate with engineering teams, project leaders, product teams, manufacturing partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders to gather input and align on technical direction.
Provide clear, data-driven technical guidance, recommendations, and insights to support project decisions on architecture, design, risk mitigation, and product improvements.
Independently lead smaller high-impact projects or own complex components, systems, or services, maintaining accountability for technical quality, timelines, and stakeholder alignment.
Execute established and emerging engineering processes independently while developing product and technology expertise.
Apply and improve engineering processes and methodologies, including PPP, PPT, VPI/VPC, ESW, and FEP.
Champion improvements to work processes, engineering methods, and systems across the business unit and functional discipline.
Coordinate technician and student-employee tasks and coach less-experienced engineers through knowledge transfer and leadership.
Apply combustion, emissions, fluid-flow, heat-transfer, thermodynamic, systems-engineering, modeling, and simulation expertise to evaluate performance and guide technical decisions.
Anticipate and mitigate product failure modes by analyzing system interactions, identifying root causes, and implementing durable solutions.
Translate stakeholder needs into verifiable system requirements, evaluate system interactions and lifecycle impacts, and support architecture decisions.
Communicate technical information effectively to diverse audiences and build relationships that support project success.