Product system design engineer Review
at Cummins
Degree Apprenticeship
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Peterborough
Review Submitted: February 2024
Overall Rating
3.9 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
3.4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
Electromagnetic and electrical design of generators and their control systems using FEA software to optimise the designs for performance and cost targets.
New product development thought proposals of engineering to order to meet customer requirements and comply with industry standards, leading to orders.
Evaluating test results from internal testing, 3rd party testing and suppliers using MATLAB to ensure components comply with performance requirements.
New product development thought proposals of engineering to order to meet customer requirements and comply with industry standards, leading to orders.
Evaluating test results from internal testing, 3rd party testing and suppliers using MATLAB to ensure components comply with performance requirements.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I have very much enjoyed my program as I have managed to pick up a lot of skills that I wouldn't of gained if I hadn't done the apprenticeship with Cummins.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
During my time as an apprentice I learn many new skills and expanded on my existing skills both through work and formal education. Some of the skills I have developed are below.
Electrical engineering
LV and HV generator design
2D and 3D modelling
Skilled with analytical software
Technical support
Data validation
Problem solving
Product innovation
Time management
First Aid and CPR
Electrical engineering
LV and HV generator design
2D and 3D modelling
Skilled with analytical software
Technical support
Data validation
Problem solving
Product innovation
Time management
First Aid and CPR
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The structure of my apprenticeship has been a mixed bag, when I first started there didn't really seem to be a plan for in the workplace and at college, this was due to a large round of redundancies at the time, since this the apprenticeship has been a bit more structured but with a good amount of flexibility to allow me to pick and chose where I want to be and what education I wanted to do.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Large amount of support for my education, allowing me to take a day a week to study as well as coving all of the expensive when traveling for in person lectures. Mentoring from direct line manager and others within the business has been invaluable.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
They have been fairly supportive of the qualification I have been doing, there has been 1hr a week online lectures per module and then 6hr in person once a semester. The support has been a bit varied between the lectures with some being willing an open to help other not so much. The course mostly feels like it is set up for fulltime students who get a lot more interaction with staff which makes it harder alongside working.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I fell that the qualification I have picked up through my apprenticeship have made me a well rounded engineer which has allowed me to take hard and soft skills into the workplace meaning that I am able to apply my knowledge to new situations and to be able to understand where I need to ask for help. My qualification haven't directly related to what I do at work.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
There are community hours which everyone has to carryout throughout the year. There used to be a few sports teams but I think the only one still running is badminton. There are quite often celebration events when major milestones have been achieved on projects.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Cummins to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend Cummins to an early careers friend as they have offered me a wide range of development opportunities. I wouldn't recommend Cummins to a more developed friend as they don't offer the best salaries and trying to move up the ladder is almost impossible even if you are already doing work at the level above your pay grade, the only way to move up is to hope that someone above you leaves.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Cummins?
Take every training opportunity you get! If the company is willing to pay for you to go on training go on it, even if you feel it won't benefit you or you are not interested, it all builds a good CV and you might change your mind in the future so you can fall back on your experience.
