Electronic Systems Technical Specialist - Software

Job Summary:

This applied technology position creates software that is sold as an integral part of Cummins’ products. People in these positions have involvement in identification and understanding of stakeholder requirements and developing specifications, and responsibility for design, implementation, testing and/or release of software that controls the operation of Cummins’ products in a variety of customer applications.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Investigates product software problems, understands causal mechanisms, recommends appropriate action, owns problem resolution, and documents results. Applies and improves the improvement of product software development processes and tools. Processes include coding, compiling and test. Tools include code editors, integration tools, static analysis tools, compilers and hardware in the loop test tools. Details specific to this role may be found at the end of this document. Obtains input and negotiates with product and software development teams and delivers verified software features, components, builds to product teams. Uses systems knowledge and expertise to make decisions in the areas of software requirements, architecture, design, and test that impact the quality and performance of software builds, product lines (platforms) and management of cross-BU integration and coordination. Responsible for review of less-experienced developers/testers’ work to ensure robust, reusable, and efficient designs. Responsibile for interacting and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Provides independent leadership of smaller business impact projects or ownership of complex components, products, systems or services with greater elements of ambiguity over the senior or lead engineer level and with full accountability to the project team. Delivers independent execution of established and emerging work processes and systems, while still developing technology or product knowledge. Leads the development and improvement of work processes and systems across function(s) within a global business unit or managing improvement across business units. Coordinates and directs work amongst technicians and temporary student employees, assists in the transfer of knowledge to lesser experienced engineers through either indirect (scope of influence) or direct management of a small, local group of engineers. Provides support and guidance to influence technical direction within a project team and continues to develop proficiency in the competency areas critical to success in the role. Operates as a recognized specialist in a discipline or product area within the immediate team. Competencies:
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 Platform Planning and Architecting - Creates and develops a holistic product platform including key architectural feature and function variants needed to align with market level product plans of future target markets; generates alternative architectures traceable to the requirements and performs trade-off analysis in collaboration with life-cycle stakeholders to ensure a balanced and optimum platform; communicates and maintains traceable information and plans executed by product development teams.

Product Software Design and Construction - Constructs product software using industry best practices and robust software engineering principles; verifies software updates to ensure quality products.

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.

Systems Thinking - Defines the system of interest by drawing the boundaries, identifying its context within its environment, its interfaces, and that it has a lifecycle to aid in planning the problem statement, scope and deliverables ; analyzes linkages and interactions between elements that comprise the system of interest by using appropriate methods, models and integration of outcomes to understand the system, predict its behavior and devise modifications to it in order to produce the desired effects.

Builds networks - Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.

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.

Manages complexity - Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

Resourcefulness - Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.

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.

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.

Experience:
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

Key Responsibilities

Software Development & Delivery

• Independently design, develop, implement, and debug embedded software features and components.
• Own software engineering activities across requirements analysis, design, coding, unit testing, integration, and verification for assigned technical scope.
• Develop robust and maintainable software solutions in accordance with software architecture, coding standards, and development processes.
• Support and coordinate software integration, build generation, configuration, and release activities.
• Manage software configuration and variants across multiple product platforms and programs.
• Identify technical risks and dependencies within assigned software scope and drive issues to timely resolution.

Feature Development

• Develop a solid understanding of engine and powertrain systems, control strategies, and their interaction with ECU software.
• Independently analyze feature requirements and translate them into software requirements, designs, and implementation solutions.
• Own the development and maintenance of assigned features across multiple platforms and product programs.
• Work closely with Systems, Calibration, BSW, and Validation teams to ensure end-to-end feature implementation and verification.
• Analyze interactions and dependencies between features, software components, interfaces, and ECU architecture.
• Support technical reviews and provide engineering recommendations for feature implementation and product application.

Quality & Problem Solving

• Lead investigation of software defects and complex technical issues within assigned scope, including root cause identification and corrective actions.
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies such as 7-Step, RCA, 5 Why, and other appropriate engineering methods.
• Perform and contribute to software requirements reviews, design reviews, code reviews, and test reviews.
• Ensure software development deliverables meet applicable engineering process and quality requirements.
• Identify recurring or systemic issues and develop solutions to improve software quality, robustness, and development efficiency.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering practices, development processes, tools, and technical standards.

Technical Ownership & Collaboration

• Serve as a technical owner for assigned software features, components, or defined project scope.
• Coordinate technical activities and resolve cross-functional issues involving Systems, Validation, Calibration, BSW, and other software teams.
• Provide technical guidance and support to less experienced engineers when needed.
• Communicate technical issues, risks, trade-offs, and proposed solutions clearly to project and engineering stakeholders.
• Collaborate effectively with global engineering teams across different products, platforms, and programs.
• Share technical knowledge, lessons learned, and engineering best practices within the team.
• Deliver assigned technical scope with high quality and according to committed project schedules.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree or above in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Automation, or related fields.

Experience

• Typically 4–7 years of embedded software development experience, preferably in automotive, engine, powertrain, or other embedded control systems.
• Demonstrated experience independently developing and delivering embedded software features or components.
• Experience working thr
•  
• ough multiple phases of the software development lifecycle, including requirements, design, implementation, testing, integration, and release.
• Experience with AUTOSAR-based ECU software development is preferred.