Entry Level Automation Engineer Jobs in Indianapolis, IN

Job Summary:

This entry level/early career professional, controls focused position tailors electronic control systems for Cummins products. People in these positions will decompose product requirements into functional requirements and design and tune controls that operate on Cummins' products in a variety of customer applications. Additionally, there is responsibility to configure (tune), and complete comprehensive validation testing of the fully integrated hardware and software systems. 

Key Responsibilities:

Assists with the development of electronic controls (open and closed loop)and diagnostics for a variety of applications (internal combustion engine, power systems, powertrain, etc). Owns investigation, problem resolution, and documentation for these systems with guidance from more experienced team members. Uses strong knowledge of application of controls and first principles to guide decision making.
Assists and supports the improvement of electronic controls development processes and tools. Processes include system specification, modeling and simulation, calibration, Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R), and troubleshooting. Application of tools for simulation, calibration, and product life maintenance required.
Works in the translation and decomposition of requirements and voices from customers into functional requirements for controls and diagnostic algorithms. Designs algorithms to meet these requirements, tunes these algorithms, and designs tests to validate performance against these requirements. Assists with decisions in the areas of electronic and electrical controls and diagnostic design, requirements, calibration, and test that impact the quality and performance of individual calibrated features and/or components by using systems knowledge and understanding of product (internal combustion engine, power systems, powertrain, etc).
Assists problem resolution for moderately complex controls and diagnostic algorithms, their system level interactions, and their subsystems or services with technical complexity and ambiguity increasing as experience is gained in the role. Responsible for interacting and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Contributes independent execution of established work processes and systems, while still developing technology or product knowledge; engages with the improvement of systems and processes.
Involves no direct management of people but could involve the coordination and direction 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.

    Engineering Rotation Program - Product Compliance & Regulatory Affairs
Launch your engineering career through our two-year rotation program within Product Compliance & Regulatory Affairs. Participants complete two one-year rotations across a combination of OBD Compliance Test, Emissions Compliance Test, and Compliance Data Analysis teams, gaining broad experience in product compliance, regulatory certification, and engineering analytics.  This program combines hands-on engine and vehicle testing with field vehicle data analysis. Successful candidates are equally excited to work in the laboratory and test cell as they are analyzing data and developing tools to improve engineering efficiency and support compliance decisions.
During the program, participants will:
Perform engine and vehicle emissions and OBD compliance testing.
    Analyze engineering and compliance data to support product certification.
    Develop data processing, visualization, and automation tools and training.
    Investigate test results and perform root cause analysis.
    Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams while building technical expertise in emissions, diagnostics, and regulatory compliance.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
    Experience with Python and/or MATLAB for data analysis, visualization, or automation.
    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an interest in interpreting engineering data.
    Understanding of controls, diagnostics, or statistics is desired.
    Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
    Curiosity, initiative, and a desire to learn through both hands-on testing and data-driven engineering.

College Job type: Entry Level Full-time

Subfunction: Thermal and Fluid Systems

Degree level: BS

Educational Program: Prefer ME, open to EE, MET

Start date: June 2027

Job Skill Requirements: 

1.           Experience with Python and/or MATLAB for data analysis, visualization, or automation.
2.           Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an interest in interpreting engineering data.
3.           Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
4.           Curiosity, initiative, and a desire to learn through both hands-on testing and data-driven engineering.

Competencies:Applies Principles of Statistical Methods - Analyzes technical data using descriptive statistics, probability distributions, graphical analysis, and statistical inference (population and sample, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing); models relationships between response and independent variables using analysis of variance, regression, and design of experiments to make rigorous, data-based decisions.

Design and Application of Mechatronics Systems - Specifies electronic hardware and interconnections that measure and control systems; applies electronic hardware and interconnections in Cummins' products.

Design and Application of Open/Closed Loop Controls - Specifies software features that interact with mechanical, hydraulic, chemical and electronic systems to deliver desired system states; specifies control system architectures which include appropriate measurements, correct actuation, and algorithms for Cummins' products; configures and/or understands open/closed loop feedback controls features and the system interactions between hardware and software in Cummins' products.

Machine Integration and Optimization - Combines various parts or sub-systems into a whole to achieve the output most desired by the customer; applies Cummins' installation requirements using our standard tools, processes and identified best practices to ensure optimization of performance, reliability, cost and quality; analyzes technical issues using proven problem-solving and troubleshooting techniques for rapid resolution.

Product Failure Mode Avoidance - Mitigates potential product failure modes, by identifying interfaces, functions, functional requirements, interactions, control factors, noise factors, and prioritized potential failure modes and potential failure causes for the system of interest to effectively and efficiently improve the reliability of Cummins' products.

Product Function Modeling, Simulation and Analysis - Impacts product design decisions through the utilization and/or interpretation of computational tools and methods that predict the capability of a product's function relative to its system, sub-system and/or component level requirements.

Product Problem Solving - Solves product problems using a process that protects the customer; determines the assignable cause; implements robust, data-based solutions; and identifies the systemic root causes and recommended actions to prevent problem reoccurrence.

Product Verification and Validation Management - Develops product systems validation plans from a variety of inputs to identify failure modes, while managing product risk and relative priority; negotiates product requirements against capability to guide project scope; evaluates analytical, simulation and physical test results to verify product capability and validate requirements; assesses legacy versus proposed system solution capabilities and produces recommendations with technical documentation to support product decisions.

System Requirements Engineering  - Uses appropriate methods and tools to translate stakeholder needs into verifiable requirements to which designs are developed; establishes acceptance criteria for the system of interest through analysis, allocation and negotiation; tracks the status of requirements throughout the system lifecycle; assesses the impact of changes to system requirements on project scope, schedule, and resources; creates and maintains information linkages to related artifacts.

Technical Documentation - Documents information based on knowledge gained as part of technical function activities; communicates to stakeholders with the goal of enabling improved technical productivity and effective knowledge transfer to others who were not originally part of the initial learning.

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.

Decision quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.

Drives results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.

Self-development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.

Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
 

Education, Licenses, Certifications: 

College, university, or equivalent bachelor's degree in engineering or appropriate STEM field is
required.
 

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

Experience: Entry level/Early career professional. Preferred candidates would have relevant experience working in either a temporary student employment environment (intern, co-op, or other extracurricular team activities) or as an early career professional in a relevant technical discipline area. Knowledge of MS Office tools is also preferred.

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.