Product Systems Design Engineer Review
at Cummins
Degree Apprenticeship
Engineering
Sandwich
Review Submitted: May 2024
Overall Rating
4.9 /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!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.8/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
-Delivering design proposals and reviews
-Researching and developing solutions to customer issues.
-CAD and drawing design and revision
-Working with international teams
-Using VR for service reviews and risk assessments.
-Interpreting engineering data and standards to make conclusions.
-Product lifecycle management
-Working with suppliers to ensure design are manufacturable and get prototypes
-Develop, Design, Test and Validate, Release, Document, Review and Obsolete products
-Researching and developing solutions to customer issues.
-CAD and drawing design and revision
-Working with international teams
-Using VR for service reviews and risk assessments.
-Interpreting engineering data and standards to make conclusions.
-Product lifecycle management
-Working with suppliers to ensure design are manufacturable and get prototypes
-Develop, Design, Test and Validate, Release, Document, Review and Obsolete products
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I couldn’t be happier at my company or within my role. I’m assigned tasks that are meaningful for my development and are interesting rather than being used as “an apprentice”. I’m also allowed to set my own comfort level as an apprentice, if I want to take on a large project and complete elements I haven’t done before I can. If I still need support but want exposure more experienced colleagues are willing to step in and help. Everyone within the company is very welcoming and there is no discrimination against skill level.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
-Effective communication methods (meetings, emails, messages)
-Presentation Skills (talking in large groups in person and on calls)
-Technical knowledge
-Integrating into various teams
-Systematic and quality problem solving skills
-Resilience towards engineering complications
-Understanding commercial/business factors behind work being completed
-Prioritisation and management of tasks based on urgency, importance and value
-Six sigma tools
-Presentation Skills (talking in large groups in person and on calls)
-Technical knowledge
-Integrating into various teams
-Systematic and quality problem solving skills
-Resilience towards engineering complications
-Understanding commercial/business factors behind work being completed
-Prioritisation and management of tasks based on urgency, importance and value
-Six sigma tools
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
I attend college one day a week allowing me 4 days to work. I am mentored by several people who work together to give me tasks that will test my experience at a steady level. I have also been moved around different projects and technical areas not being stuck in a project doing meaningless work. Overall the role is very well structured and individual.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive support for my university/education as well as my day to day tasks. I am also able to talk freely about personal aspects of my life. I have been sent on lots of internal training and been supported to get other certifications such as Creo fundamentals and EngTech. I also get supported in my apprenticeship meetings to ensure I am on track and on tasks that align with the apprenticeship standard.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
My apprenticeship officer is fantastic for addressing concerns with my education provider and helping me work towards my end point assessment. My degree is tailored to be applied directly into my role but I’m not sure lecturers always understand how to support and properly arrange exams/workshops/units for apprentices. Maybe this will change as popularity increases.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Engineering degrees are the same as they have always been. Learning the basic principles and calculations behind your day to day work is invaluable. The units I have found especially useful is thermodynamics and material science. Whilst working with my employers they know what I’ve been doing at college recently and kept this in mind for tasks they assign me or provide insight into their current work where they have used the principles.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
I really enjoy doing STEM events working with schools. We also have a diversity group and social committee where I help organise fun events for our site on occasions throughout the year. Socially we go out at least 4-5 times a year for dinners, drinks and sporting events. We also have events where senior leadership or people from other sites come to visit and we have informal talks and activities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Cummins to a friend?
Yes
Why?
There are no downsides to the apprenticeship. Free degree, going to work with projects and tasks you love, continually being able to develop around a creative and encouraging team. In the south east there are such a low number of corporate engineering companies that offer the same level of career progression opportunities.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Cummins?
Within the application be yourself. Your CV covers your educational experience, employers want to know if you are confident or quality focused or can easily join a team. Other qualities are also valued, every team is looking for someone different. After the interview process make sure to continue to communicate with your employer. After your initial applications they will still be deciding who they want to hire and communication is key within all roles at Cummins.
