Senior Manufacturing Optimization Engineer

Cummins Inc.; Plainfield (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cummins Inc. is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Optimization Engineer for our Plainfield, IN site. You will lead on-site optimization efforts, driving lean initiatives and advanced analytics to improve OEE, reduce waste, and accelerate continuous improvement across the plant.

The role requires manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering background, with MBA/MS preferred, and experience applying Lean Six Sigma to deliver measurable performance gains. This is a 100% on-site position at Cummins Plainfield.

Qualifications

• Experience applying Lean and Six Sigma to improve manufacturing performance.
• Experience leading Kaizen events and value stream mapping is a plus.
• Ability to interpret data and drive structured improvements.

Responsibilities

• Drive manufacturing optimization initiatives on-site at Cummins Plainfield facility.
• Lead cross-functional teams to reduce scrap, cycle times, and waste.
• Develop and execute technology roadmaps to modernize production systems.

Skills

Operational Excellence & OEE

Technology Roadmap Execution

Lean Mastery

Continuous Improvement Mindset

Software Proficiency

Educational Foundation in Mfg/Mech Eng

Lean Six Sigma Expertise

Technical & Analytical Agility

Education

Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering degree

MBA or MS preferred

Tools

CAD tools

Oracle

SolidWorks

ERP/MES platforms

Job description

We are looking for a talented Senior Manufacturing Optimization Engineer to join our team specializing in Manufacturing for our Cummins center located in Plainfield, IN.

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

• Action Oriented: You energize projects by stepping into new challenges quickly, driving momentum, and ensuring critical work moves forward without hesitation.
• Collaborative Leadership: You strengthen cross functional partnerships, creating alignment and shared ownership that accelerates results.
• Customer-Centric Execution: You elevate the customer experience by understanding needs deeply and shaping solutions that build trust and long-term loyalty.
• Engagement Driver: You cultivate an environment where people feel motivated, supported, and inspired to contribute their best work.
• Ambiguity Navigator: You bring clarity to uncertain situations, making steady progress even when direction is evolving or incomplete.
• Complexity Manager: You distill large volumes of information into clear insights, enabling smarter decisions and more effective problem solving.
• Conflict Stewardship: You address tensions constructively and calmly, preserving relationships while keeping teams focused on shared goals.
• Process Optimizer: You streamline workflows, reduce waste, and champion continuous improvement to enhance quality, efficiency, and operational excellence.

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

• Operational Excellence & OEE: A strong ability to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness by reducing scrap, optimizing cycle times, and applying Lean and Six Sigma tools to elevate manufacturing performance.
• Technology Roadmap Execution: The capability to assess, select, and integrate Industry 4.0 technologies—automation, robotics, and advanced analytics—to modernize production systems and drive long-term competitiveness.
• Lean Mastery: Deep experience leading Kaizen events and applying 5S, MIFC, Value Stream Mapping, and Root Cause Analysis to eliminate waste and strengthen process discipline.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: A commitment to identifying inefficiencies, implementing structured improvement methodologies, and sustaining gains across manufacturing operations.
• Software Proficiency: Strong command of CAD tools, Oracle, SolidWorks, and ERP/MES platforms to support design, planning, and real‑time production management.
• Educational Foundation: A background in Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering, with an MBA or MS preferred to support strategic decision making and leadership responsibilities.
• Lean Six Sigma Expertise: A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (preferred) to lead data driven problem solving and guide teams through structured improvement projects.
• Technical & Analytical Agility: The ability to interpret complex operational data, diagnose performance gaps, and translate insights into actionable, measurable improvements.

Education, Licenses, Certifications:

College, university or equivalent degree, or equivalent practical experience required.

This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.

Experience:

Intermediate level of relevant work experience, including manufacturing or manufacturing plant experience, team leadership experience, preferred.

This is a 100% On-site position.

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.