Job Summary:
The Supplier Quality Engineer creates values by supporting supplier quality initiatives that enable the business or function to achieve its operational and strategic supplier quality goalsKey Responsibilities:
Build relationships with all critical partners to improve quality and business outcomes, including: external suppliers, external customers, and internal customers and stakeholders, such as Purchasing, Manufacturing and Engineering. Learn and apply industry common Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes, Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) tools, and Cummins specialty tools to develop or improve an external supplier’s manufacturing process. Become an effective auditor by participating in external supplier audits; may lead low complexity and low risk audits after becoming a certified auditor. Participate in the resolution of external supplier related quality challenges; support root cause analysis, supporting development of corrective actions and support the verification of the effectiveness of corrective actions; may lead resolution of low complexity and lower risk quality challenges after gaining experience. Embrace continuous improvement in the external supply base by participating in and contributing to product and process focused projects that utilize industry proven methodologies, such as lean and six-sigma. Partcipate in the quality performance planning and improvement process for a specific product type or specific segment of the external supply base; may lead the quality planning and improvement process for low complexity and low risk product types or segments of the supply base. ResponsibilitiesCompetencies:
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.
Auditing - Applying auditing skills and techniques and Quality Management Systems knowledge to effectively appraise a manufacturing process for quality and safety risks and non-conformances.
Interpreting Technical Requirements - Applying knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing principles and Engineering Standards to correctly interpret the technical requirements of an engineering drawing; Applying knowledge to improve a product’s design for manufacturability and measurability.
Manufacturing Process Design - Applying knowledge of manufacturing technology (methods, techniques, tools, equipment, etc) to design a Zero Defect manufacturing process that can consistently meet technical and customer requirements.
Manufacturing Process Validation - Applying core Automotive tools (i.e. DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plan, SPC, MSA, Source Release and PPAP) to validate that a manufacturing process can consistently meet technical and customer requirements.
Measurement Process Design - Applying knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing principles and knowledge of measurement technology (standards, techniques, equipment, etc) to design a measurement system that can consistently meet industry and customer requirements.
Problem Solving - Solves problems and may mentor others on effective problem solving by using a systematic analysis process by leveraging industry standard methodologies to create problem traceability and protect the customer; determines the assignable cause; implements robust, data-based solutions; identifies the systemic root causes and ensures actions to prevent problem reoccurrence are implemented.
Quality Influence - Ability to recognize stakeholders, create a forum to professionally extract stakeholder perspectives, drive and engage in constructive conflict, and to influence outcomes in order to ensure Cummins makes a balanced decision inclusive of Quality priorities.
Quality Standards - Applying knowledge of quality standards, such as ISO9001:2015 and IATF16949, to develop procedures, processes, and external suppliers in a manner that aligns with regulatory requirements.
Statistical Foundations - Applies statistical tools and technique to influence decision making; leverages understanding of data collection methods, key statistics, graphical and analytical methods to describe process performance, gain insights and drive improvement action
Supplier Performance Improvement - Improving supplier performance by developing and executing an effective quality improvement strategy that consists of a project team, glidepath, reduction of manufacturing issues and improvement of systemic deficiencies.
Supplier Quality Project Planning and Execution - Applying Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) skills to develop and execute a quality plan that enables external suppliers to meet customer expectations; Requires facilitating communication and collaboration across cross-functional activities, when a program, initiative, or project concerns external suppliers.
Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
Supplier Product Reliability - Ability to evaluate the supplier's product design, supplier's manufacturing process design and product validation process to ensure the supplier is capable to meet reliability expectations.
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:
U.S. college/university Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical or scientific subject required.
This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.
Experience:
Minimal level of relevant work experience required.
College Job Type: Exempt – Entry Level
Degree: Bachelor’s
Education Program: Mechanical Engineering preferred, will consider Industrial Engineering
Start Date: Fall 2026/Jan 2027
Job Skills Required:
- Project management
- Problem solving
- Resourcefulness
- Analytics
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university in Engineering or a related technical or scientific subject
- Completion of the highest level of degree within the past two years for the U.S. early-career program
- Current residence within the continental United States
- For F-1 visa students, approved CPT or OPT authorization before the assignment begins, related to the degree and authorized by the university
- Mechanical Engineering preferred; Industrial Engineering will be considered
- Project management, problem solving, resourcefulness, and analytics skills
Cummins Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Cummins and has not been reviewed or approved by Cummins.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company contribution/match and both defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans are offered, alongside profit sharing and an employee stock purchase plan. This mix supports long-term savings and financial security.
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Healthcare Strength — Multiple medical plan options (HSA, HSA Plus, PPO) with dental, vision, life and long-term disability coverage are provided, along with telehealth, mental-health support, and wellness tools. In-network protections and HSA/HSA Plus structures are described to help manage costs.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid maternity and paternity leave, family medical leave, and adoption assistance are offered. Reduced or flexible hours and unpaid extended leave options further support caregiving needs.
Cummins Insights
What We Do
At Cummins, we empower everyone to grow their careers through meaningful work, building inclusive and equitable teams, coaching, development and opportunities to make a difference. Across our entire organization, you'll find engineers, developers, and technicians who are innovating, designing, testing, and building. You'll also find accountants, marketers, as well as manufacturing, quality and supply chain specialists who are working with technology that's just as innovative and advanced.









