Product Engineering - Co-op Positions

Cummins Inc; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 44,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Cummins is seeking a co-op student in the U.S. to contribute to design and problem-solving efforts across product development. You will participate in design reviews, assist with technical documentation, and work with cross-functional teams to refine concepts and ensure quality across components and subsystems.

You will gain exposure to processes like VPI, PPT, and VPCR, and work under supervision to develop practical engineering knowledge while meeting 40-hour weeks and 4–12 month commitments.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled full-time at a U.S. college or university pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.
• Minimum GPA 2.5 preferred.
• Commitment of 4–12 months; 40 hours per week.
• Must reside within the continental United States.
• Willingness to learn from others on the job.

Responsibilities

• May contribute to investigating VPI program team issues and document results with guidance from experienced members.
• Applies processes like Critical Design Decisions and Design Review, using iDFMEA, CREO, ANSYS to enable high-quality design decisions.
• Support cross-functional design integration and communicate design intent through PPT/VPCR packages.
• May include tasks in problem resolution for moderately complex components, products, or subsystems under supervision.
• No direct management of people but may coordinate work among technicians and student employees.

Skills

FMEA

Problem Solving

Verification & Validation

Development Execution

Technical Docs

System Capability

Cross-Functional Design

Decision Quality

Drive Results

Collaboration

Communication

Self-Development

Education

Bachelor’s

Master’s

PhD

Tools

CREO

ANSYS Workbench

iDFMEA

DVA

GD&T

Job description

In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways:

• May contribute to investigating Value Package Introduction (VPI) program team or field-based issues, understands causal mechanisms, recommends appropriate action, owns problem resolution from a design perspective, while documenting results with guidance from more experienced team members.
• Applies and supports the execution of processes such as Critical Design Decisions, System Design and Validation Consideration Checklist, Design Review, and tools such as iDFMEA, DVA, GD&T, CREO, ANSYS Workbench required to enable high quality component and subsystem-level design decision making and design refinement.
• May support more experienced team members in obtaining input and their negotiating with cross-functional and cross-discipline technical experts and senior-level designers to communicate the component and subsystem design intent through a thorough Design Review package to the Product Preceding Technology, (PPT), Value Package Introduction (VPI), or Value Package Change Request (VPCR) team requiring a such holistic assessment of various design concepts.
• Supports design decision making in the areas of concept selection, concept optimization, and design specifications that impact customers targeted to be served by a given Product Preceding Technology, (PPT), Value Package Introduction (VPI), or Value Package Change Request (VPCR) initiative.
• May include activities in problem resolution for moderately complex components, products, systems, subsystems, or services with a greater degree of technical complexity and ambiguity to support team members with greater accountability to the project team. Supervised execution of established work processes and systems, while still developing technology or product knowledge; engages with the improvement of systems and processes.
• No direct management of people but could involve limited coordination 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.

To be successful in this role you will need the following:

• Product Failure Mode Avoidance
• Product Problem Solving
• Product Verification and Validation Management
• Product Development Execution, Monitoring and Control
• Technical Documentation
• System Capability Engineering
• Cross-Functional Design Integration
• Technical Documentation
• Decision Quality
• Drive Results
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Self-Development

Degree Programs Considered:

Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

Major Programs Typically Considered:

All Engineering Majors

2026 Monthly Salary Range by Degree Level:

• Bachelor's - $3,900 - $5,000
• Master's - $6,000
• PhD - $7,300

Please note that the salary range provided is a good faith estimate of the applicable range. The final salary offer will be determined after considering relevant factors, including a candidate’s qualifications and experience, where appropriate.

Co-Op program criteria:

• Must be a full-time enrolled student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited U.S. college/University
• Minimum 2.5 or above GPA preferred
• Must be able to complete a minimum of 4-months to 6-months or a maximum of a 12-months commitment
• Must be able to complete 40 hours per week
• Willingness to learn from others on the job
• Must be currently residing within the continental U.S.

Cummins and E-verify

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. Cummins 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.

U.S. Early Careers Eligibility Requirements:

Co-op (Co-operative):

Students must be enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university, actively pursuing a degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, MBA, or JD), with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Candidates must also currently reside within the continental United States. Students are expected to work 40 hours per week for assignments 4, 6, or up to 12 months, often aligning with school semesters. Some schools may require students to be officially enrolled in a co-op program—check with your career services or co-op office.

Academic Enrollment:

If your co-op assignment is approved by your academic institution as part of a formal co-op program, the school acknowledges your participation and grants permission for you to take time off from classes while remaining in good academic standing. Cummins does not require you to be enrolled in a minimum number of credit hours during your co‑op. Whether you take a semester off from classes, enroll part-time, or take evening courses is up to you and your school. You are responsible for meeting your university’s academic policies and/or co‑op program requirements. Please consult your academic advisor or co‑op office to ensure you remain in compliance.

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.

Commitment:

Students must be able to manage their academic responsibilities without compromising their job performance.