DWU - CEP(HDM) - Special Assignment Quality Technician - 3rd Shift

Cummins Inc.; Columbus (IN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Cummins Inc. is seeking a Quality Technician to assist in machining and inspection activities on the shop floor, supporting production teams with data-driven quality decisions and documentation. The role emphasizes CMM use, calibration, and measurement of various components to uphold product quality.

Stakeholders include Operations, Engineering, and Quality teams to prevent defects, manage non-conforming material, and drive continuous improvement in a rotating team setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in a machining or manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with precision measurement tools.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills (clear, concise, and effective across all levels).

Responsibilities

• Operate and interpret results from CMM equipment.
• Perform and interpret Millipore cleanliness testing to ensure components meet contamination standards.
• Document defects and initiate Quality Incident Reports (QIR).
• Assist salvage operations with: Staging and segregation of non-conforming material; supporting rework activities when required.
• Ensure proper identification, traceability, and disposition of suspect parts.
• Lead or support quality improvement projects focused on reducing defects and variation.

Skills

Precision measurement tools

CMM operation

Machining knowledge

Quality testing

Data collection & SPC

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma

Equivalent experience

Tools

Millipore testing

Gauge calibration

Measurement equipment

Job description

Job Summary

Assists Engineers in carrying out production-related and inspection jobs; assists in monitor materials quality in processing plants and making the required adjustments; maintains and supports documentation and records. Works under moderate supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Compares the physical characteristics of components, materials, equipment and products to technical specifications to identify defects. Conducts simple tests (for example on electrical function, reliability, packaging quality). Records results and prepares simple technical reports. Provides product and component testing using a range of measurement equipment. Assists customers in understanding/interpreting product specifications and application of measurement data. Participates in measurement uncertainty studies for measurements associated with measurement or calibration results. Ensures proper maintenance and calibration of the measurement and test equipment.

Competencies

• Action oriented - Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• 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.
• Customer focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Decision quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Manages conflict - Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Resourcefulness - Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Measurement Science - Analyzes measurement processes throughout the relevant traceability chain to identify and quantify sources of measurement uncertainty relevant to the appropriate applied measurement science, “Metrology” e.g. Chemical, Dimensional, Electrical, Mechanical, Optical and Radiation and Physical.
• Quality Process Management - Proficient application of quality tools and methods (e.g. APQP, FMEA, PPAP, SPC, Capability studies, Process Audit, inspection, test, etc.) to ensure quality of products, processes and services.
• Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Laboratory Management - Leads technical resources while managing the business aspects of a laboratory using measure to control both the technical and business aspects of the organization and assuring the requirements of the appropriate certifications and/or accreditations are met.

Education, Licenses, Certifications

High school diploma or certificate of completion of secondary education or equivalent experience to the extent such experience meets applicable regulations.

Experience

Requires some work experience and intermediate level knowledge obtained through training or on-the-job experience.

The Quality Technician is responsible for ensuring product quality throughout machining processes by performing inspections, supporting production teams, and making timely, data-driven quality decisions. This role requires developing a strong understanding of machining operations (e.g., engine head and block machining) to enable quick, confident quality calls that protect the customer while minimizing production disruption.

The Quality Technician operates both independently and as part of a rotational team structure, gaining expertise in both CMM inspection and floor-based machining quality support.

Quality Assurance & Inspection

• Operate and interpret results from CMM equipment.
• Perform and interpret Millipore cleanliness testing to ensure components meet contamination standards.
• Complete minor gauge repairs, or gauge replacement.

Machining Process Knowledge & Application

• Develop in-depth understanding of machining processes (milling, drilling, boring, honing, etc.).
• Use process knowledge to make rapid, confident product quality decisions on the production floor.

Rotational Learning & Coverage

• Work within a rotating team structure to develop proficiency in: CMM inspection and programming/analysis; Floor-based quality support within machining operations; Provide flexible support across inspection areas based on production needs.

Decision-Making & Issue Response

• Make real-time quality calls to support production flow while maintaining compliance.
• Identify, contain, and escape non-conforming material.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, and Quality teams to: Prevent quality spills; Contain active quality issues quickly and effectively.

Non-Conformance & Salvage Support

• Document defects and initiate Quality Incident Reports (QIR).
• Assist salvage operations with: Staging and segregation of non-conforming material; Supporting rework activities when required; Ensure proper identification, traceability, and disposition of suspect parts.

Audits & Compliance

• Perform quality-related audits.
• Verify adherence to SOPs, control plans, and standardized work.
• Identify gaps and support corrective actions.

Training & Communication

• Develop and deliver quality training materials for operators and team members.
• Create and communicate Quality Time-Outs and/or Quality Alerts related to: Customer complaints; Internal defects; Recurring issues; Ensure clear understanding of defects, standards, and containment requirements across teams.
• Assist with OneNote problem solving for out of control limit Quality spills.

Data Collection & Analysis

• Accurately record inspection data and support SPC activities.
• Monitor trends and identify process variation or shifts.
• Support investigations through data-driven analysis.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead or support quality improvement projects focused on: Reducing defects and variation; Improving RFT (Right First Time); Lowering COPQ (Cost of Poor Quality); Provide feedback to improve SOPs, inspection methods, and control strategies.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience in a machining or manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with precision measurement tools.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills (clear, concise, and effective across all levels).

Capable Learning

• CMM operation and interpretation
• Training and quality communication (alerts)
• Contamination testing (Millipore)
• SPC and quality systems (ISO/IATF)

Key Competencies

• Independent Execution: Works effectively with minimal supervision.
• Process Awareness: Connects machining processes to quality outcomes.
• Rapid Decision-Making: Makes confident, timely quality calls.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works effectively with operations, engineering, and leadership.
• Communication: Delivers clear, effective messaging (verbal, written, and visual).
• Problem Solving: Supports root cause and corrective actions.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset

Working Conditions

• Manufacturing shop floor environment with exposure to machining operations.
• Requires standing, walking, and handling components.
• Rotational assignments between CMM room and production floor support.

At Cummins, we are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer dedicated to diversity in the workplace. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law. Cummins validates the right to work using E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I‑9 to confirm work authorization. Visit http://EEOC.gov to know your rights on workplace discrimination.