Customer Engineering Product Specialist

We are looking for a talented Customer Engineering Product Specialist to join our team specializing in Engineering for Cummins, Inc. in Ankeny, IA.

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

• Gather input and align with SMEs and VPI teams to deliver accurate product data and installation requirements to Application Engineers and OEMs.

• Make product selection, design, and integration decisions that impact OEM machine performance, optimization, and quality.

• Apply and continuously improve processes (Installation Quality Assurance, OEM integration, product selection) and tools (Advisor, COLS, GCE).

• Serve as the primary technical liaison to OEM customers, managing specifications, product updates, and resolving complex installation issues.

• Provide technical expertise in product, application, and market knowledge to support OEM equipment design and product selection.

• Translate customer needs and voice of the customer into functional product requirements and influence program decisions.

• Advocate for the customer/market in new product development, design reviews, and product change processes.

• Ensure proper product application and installation by validating prototype performance, meeting system requirements, and optimizing results using ALD and Six Sigma tools.

Education/Experience: 

• College, university, or equivalent Bachelor's degree in Engineering or appropriate STEM field is required. 

• Post-graduate (Master's) degree relevant to this discipline area may be required for select roles.

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

• Prior Senior or Lead Engineer equivalent work experience in a relevant discipline area is required with a demonstrated track record of technical problem solving and quality decision making. Knowledge of MS Office tools is preferred.

Additional Responsibilities:

Position Summary

The Product Integration and Validation Engineer is a highly technical, hands-on role responsible for ensuring every CSSNA-designed power unit can be successfully integrated into OEM equipment through clear installation requirements, sound engineering judgment, and appropriate product validation.

The role serves as the technical owner of CSSNA product integration by guiding product designs, validating installations, defining CSSNA product Advisor Installation Requirements (AIRs),  and providing application engineering leadership throughout the product lifecycle. It connects the CSSNA Design Team, Application Engineering, Global Application Engineering, Engine Business Unit (EBU) Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Validation, Operations, Manufacturing, and Product Support.

Unlike a traditional Application Engineer, this position is engaged throughout product development. It influences decisions before release, keeps installation requirements aligned with engineering intent, determines the appropriate validation approach, and verifies that CSSNA-designed products are practical to install, manufacture, validate, service, and support.

The engineer is expected to become the recognized subject matter expert for CSSNA-designed power units, installation practices, AIRs, and integrated product applications. Success depends on technical credibility, practical judgment, organization, and the ability to influence through collaboration rather than formal authority.

This role is also a succession-planning investment. A planned three-month overlap with the retiring Application Engineer is intended to transfer technical knowledge, historical decisions, operational expertise, and key relationships while establishing long-term continuity.

Scope of Ownership

• Technical ownership of CSSNA product integration.
• Ownership of CSSNA product and configurable option content within Advisor.
• Document and publish test reports that are detailed and valuable to OEM application engineers for parenting and product capability
• Creation, maintenance, and governance of Advisor Installation Requirements (AIRs) related to power-unit installation
• Technical review of Customer Engineering Approval Forms (CEAFs) and product changes affecting CSSNA-designed products.
• Validation strategy, configuration tracking, test documentation, and release readiness.
• Dyno validation planning, execution, and operational capability.
• Guidance to CSSNA Design Engineering on installation quality, manufacturability, serviceability, and OEM integration requirements.
• Communication of application engineering changes and installation impacts with Global Application Engineering, as related to CSSNA-designed products.
• Development of application engineering capability through mentoring, coaching, training, and reusable technical content.
• Stewardship of CSSNA application engineering standards, product integration practices, and institutional knowledge.

Note: this is a new role for CSSNA, though it is primarily a customer engineering position. Here is a more concise description:

The role serves as the technical owner of CSSNA product integration by guiding product designs, validating installations, defining CSSNA product Advisor Installation Requirements (AIRs),  and providing application engineering leadership throughout the product lifecycle. It connects the CSSNA Design Team, Application Engineering, Global Application Engineering, Engine Business Unit (EBU) Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Validation, Operations, Manufacturing, and Product Support.

Unlike a traditional Application Engineer, this position is engaged throughout product development. It influences decisions before release, keeps installation requirements aligned with engineering intent, determines the appropriate validation approach, and verifies that CSSNA-designed products are practical to install, manufacture, validate, service, and support.

The engineer is expected to become the recognized subject matter expert for CSSNA-designed power units, installation practices, AIRs, and integrated product applications. Success depends on technical credibility, practical judgment, organization, and the ability to influence through collaboration rather than formal authority.

Compensation 

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

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

• Product Application Support - Provide accurate technical data and clear installation requirements. Use tools (Advisor, COLS, GCE) to support decisions and integration. Build strong customer relationships as a trusted technical resource.

• Product Function Modeling, Simulation and Analysis - Use ALD and analysis tools to optimize product/system performance. Interpret results to guide design to influence product design and integration decisions. Ensure product capability aligns with system, subsystem, and component-level requirements.

• Product Problem Solving - Resolve complex installation and performance issues using structured, data-driven methods. Identify root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions to avoid recurrence.

• Product Selection - Guide customers to best-fit product solutions. Optimize specs and prevent misapplication using technical systems. Clearly communicate product value and benefits.