
Materials Engineering Associate - OCU - Technical - 3rd Shift
Columbus, INJobSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today
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At a glance
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Job overview
Cummins is seeking a Materials Engineering Associate for its Material Science Laboratory at the Columbus Midrange Engine Plant. The role performs materials and chemical analysis, supports production-critical issues, and develops and applies test methods. Work includes component and process-fluid analysis, engine-oil testing, wear analysis, and warranty failure analysis. The position operates during the plant’s third shift and may require weekend support.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
We are looking for a talented Materials Engineering Associate to join our team specializing in Engineering for our Cummins Inc. facility in Columbus, IN.
In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways:
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Plans and schedules testing on specialized analytical equipment.
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Provides technical expertise and support for specialized analytical equipment.
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Prepares specimens and performs analysis of typical Cummins parts; provides written results in a technical report format.
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Performs routine and non-routine analysis and data acquisition using specialized analytical equipment, which may include scanning electron microscope and associated dispersive x-ray spectrometers, ultrasound scanning technologies, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, wear testers, x-ray diffractometer (residual stress, retained austenite, phase analysis), gas chromatograph, ion chromatograph, inductively coupled plasma spectrometer, thermal gravimetric analyzer, differential scanning calorimeter, mass spectrometer, x-ray spectrometer, ultra sound analyzers, optical imaging equipment, tensile/compression testers, hardness testers, gas flow reactors, spark emission spectrometer, viscometer, rheometer, eddy current flow tester, dye penetrant flaw tester, magnetic particle flaw tester and metallographic equipment.
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Performs routine maintenance and calibration checks on specialized analytical equipment.
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Develops and applies test methods to measure physical properties of materials or detect defects in engine components; participates in the development of new and advanced methods to improve laboratory capabilities.
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Works with outside services and vendors to provide test and analysis capabilities.
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Trains and leads other technicians in the use of specialized analytical equipment and methods. Understands and applies appropriate Company and department rules and guidelines to work and to systems; participates in the maintenance of quality procedures.
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Develops and conducts training programs; provides counseling, mentoring, and coaching.
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Serves as company representatives in various capacities to customers, suppliers, and outside agencies. Interacts effectively with all s of employees throughout the company.
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Exercises independent decision-making and initiative in determining what needs to be done and planning and implementing the needed activities; performs problem solving, creative technical and analytical work, budget management, and hands-on applications; coordinates programs including planning, scheduling, ordering, and tracking.
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Demonstrates adaptability and responsiveness to changing work needs and willingness to undertake new tasks as they become evident; initiates, develops, leads, and participates in improvement projects. Knows and complies with all safety policies and procedures.
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Demonstrates confidentiality as required.
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Shares work with exempt and other OCU employees as required.
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Manages own work and maintain a flexible schedule in order to meet the demands of priority work; participates in self- and team-audits and associated corrective action; plans and engages in continuous learning in order to be prepared for changing work demands.
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Travels as required by the position.
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Performs other miscellaneous duties, as required, to get the job done
To be successful in this role you will need the following:
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Data Acquisition - Prepares samples, verifies equipment calibration and performs tests according to an approved standard procedure or work instruction in a manner which ensures, and results in, data that can be trusted and delivered to the engineer or customer.
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Data Reporting - Prepares documentation in a manner which clearly organizes and presents testing methods, instrument settings, the data and analysis to allow the engineer and customer to understand the results and form accurate conclusions and recommendations.
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Material Characterization - Interprets mechanical, chemical, microstructural and physical properties using laboratory equipment to confirm compliance to print, and correlates these properties with field or component test results to determine robustness; defines appropriate material characterization schedule using correct laboratory equipment to ensure requirements are met.
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Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
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Communicates effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
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Customer focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
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Decision quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
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Ensures accountability - Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
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Nimble learning - Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
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Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
Education, Licenses, Certifications:
High school diploma, GED or equivalent required with Department of Labor Certification OR Associates degree from an accredited program in a related field and at least two years of relevant experience OR Bachelors degree in a related field.
Experience:
Department of Labor Certification OR four year experience/education requirement accomplished through either Bachelors degree in related field OR associates degree in related field and at least two years of relevant experience.
This position is within the Material Science Laboratory at the Columbus Midrange Engine Plant (CMEP) during its 3rd shift of operation
Typical responsibilities range across the discipline of chemical and material sciences. Typical work includes, but is not limited to, incoming and assembled component Millipore, engine oil analysis using ICP, viscometry, and FTIR, chemical and mechanical property analysis of incoming components and process fluids, component wear analysis & warranty component failure analysis
To be successful in this role one will have to be flexible and willing to work with other plant functions, particularly the quality and engineering organizations, to support production-critical issues as they arise
Must be able to safely operate hoist and lifting fixtures, and on occasion lift 30 lbs.
The Laboratory Function is open to support production anytime the facility is operating, including weekends
Job Engineering
Organization Cummins Inc.
Role Category On-site with Flexibility
Job Type Office
ReqID 2441274
Relocation Package Yes
100% On-Site No
Cummins and E-Verify
At Cummins, we are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer dedicated to diversity in the workplace. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law. Cummins validates the right to work using E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Visit http://EEOC.gov to know your rights on workplace discrimination.
How this job compares
Set against the 2,141 open Laboratory Technician jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 4, 2026.
- Pay
- This postingNot listed
- US median$50–70K/yr246 salary ranges
- Indiana median$22–27/hr23 hourly ranges
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 34 open Laboratory Technician jobs in Indiana and 2,141 across the US. None of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Indiana
- Kelly Services6 open
- Actalent4 open
- Lilly4 open
- Experience
- Laboratory Technician postings that state a minimum ask for 1 year of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 1 to 2 years (906 postings).
- Education
- 288 of the 2,141 open Laboratory Technician jobs (13%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 4, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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