Product Systems Design Engineer Review

A heavy part of my apprenticeship is CAD work, this involves taking measurements to address a query or inform future designs, modifying CAD data to upload into our system or send selected information to a customer. I also do lots of data collection to prove or disprove theories. This often includes mechanical/electrical calculation. If the information you’ve found isn’t readily available for others to find I create technical reports to summarise findings. If there is a gap or inaccuracy in our systems I follow different processes to ensure that this is corrected properly and all the right people have checked my change before implementation. All work done within a day is to either aid larger projects or address short term issues looking at diesel and gas generator sets.

I came into this apprenticeship with a L3 BTEC, my presentation/communications skills were not great and although I had engineering knowledge I was still a student. I got into the team(s) and each person was eager to teach me their skills. Skills were best learnt through tackling tasks with increasing complexity and responsibility. Through each task I increased my product familiarisation and gained a tangible understanding of engineering principles (for example power factors, seismic considerations, inertia, strain, fuel characteristics etc). There has also been a massive opportunity for extra training for example looking at six sigma, CAD certifications, 7 step problem solving and more. As a side to my day job I have the chance to get involved in projects that interact with other departments and people in different levels of the business. One I am currently apart of is looking into sustainability. Through my role and additional projects my presentation and confidence skills have steadily improved. This alongside my technical knowledge being improved is generally making me a rounded and skilled engineer.

I looked for an apprenticeship for 4 months. Each apprenticeship that looked worthwhile originated in London or higher up the country. This program came up and it is the equivalent but without moving away from home. Honestly can’t name something I don’t like about this program. Everyday I get excited to come into work. Plus there is such a variety of work I don’t have the mindset that I have to get through my apprenticeship and there will be nothing left. One of the best things is to a certain extent you can tailor the job to yourself. There are three product systems design engineers at differing levels who all came to the company at the same time and we all lead completely different jobs. Doing what we all find exciting every day.

My particular apprenticeship is split into rotations. I am currently in my CPS rotation with empathises on CAD and EDM(looking at test records and internal change processing). This means I am in current product support looking at the problems/concerns with current products. My next rotation will be in VPI looking into new development projects. For the final year of my apprenticeship I can choose an area I want to pursue/ enjoy the most. With education and work I attend college once a week. As a link between the two I have an assessor from my university who makes sure I am on track. Others who influence me include my mentor who ensures my needs are being met and I don’t have any roadblocks, my manager who ensures my career is progressing as expected and my work manager who provides me with tasks (this is currently my mentor during my CPS rotation).

In terms of college as soon as I started I was told all the people who had gone through education recently and told I could ask them anything whenever I needed. Midkent college/CCCU and the company definitely aren’t separate entities. Obviously each party works in my benefit however each know exactly how I am doing and they both engage to ensure I can pass both my apprenticeship and respective degree. I have lots of 1:1s with my manager and mentor to make sure that my interests are being looked out for. If I am ever unhappy I genuinely feel that those around me would make an active effort to resolve any concerns.

My training officer comes to visit every 6-12 weeks ensuring I am on target both at work and college. He also addresses any concerns my employer may have with me or the university. The lecturers at Midkent college deliver the main content during our college day and we are set tasks to keep on track during the week. I feel the course is very considerate to the fact that we are apprentices and also have full time jobs( there are no full time students on my course) On the flip side the pace of the workload isn’t slow moving yet manageable.

The course units are directly relevant to work. Looking at electrical and mechanical maths gave me a fundamental understanding to real life industry problems. Just because my job isn’t practical doesn’t mean that the units being learnt are not relevant. Two current units are materials selection and design engineering which are both entirely relevant. I have 1:1 sessions with my mentor and I tell them how college is going. I explain the topics of the week and I often get redirected to a paper looking at how we use that subject or they will explain how that can be used in the company.

I am involved in a ‘graduate project’ which is a yearly initiative run by graduates, placements and apprentices Cummins also runs events to support communities such as schools charities and trusts. I got involved in a day building beds for children without beds. There are also often opportunities to meet leadership during site visits and ‘town halls’. This is a good opportunity to learn more about the business as a whole. In general there are lots of groups and events that you can get involved in to broaden your professional network. Within my own team there have been social events to get to know each other better such as dinners and opportunities to visit another site where some in your team may work.

Yes

Even though many people in England haven’t heard of cummins. This is a large company with plenty to offer with a genuine goal to make positive changes. You would be apart of a company where you can progress into several job roles plus have the opportunity to further your education.

Try to be honest with your application. To differentiate yourself from others with similar backgrounds and grades try and bring a sense of personality when filling out application questions. Try and apply for an apprenticeship like you would apply for a job opposed from applying for a university as that is what is being offered. If possible show you are keen to join the company by being fast with email communications and responses.