A Career Built on Curiosity, Collaboration and Integrity: Demi’s Story

For Oluwademilade A. —known to colleagues as Demi—problem solving has always been second nature. What began as a love for puzzles and building blocks has evolved into a career developing the controls software that helps power engines and systems used every day.
Demi is a Custom Controls Technical Specialist based in Columbus, Indiana, where she works on software that must meet strict regulatory requirements while delivering reliable performance for customers.

“I loved puzzles and building blocks growing up,” Demi said. “Being able to create order out of chaos really intrigued me. That early interest in problem solving is what drives me today to deliver better software solutions.”

Demi earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech. Although Cummins is her first full-time role after college, her relationship with the company began earlier through internships that helped shape her career direction.

“During college, I interned at companies in my home country, Nigeria, and at Cummins,” she said. “Those experiences helped me figure out what part of electrical engineering I was most passionate about. Controls stuck, and my Cummins internship really solidified that this was where I wanted to be.”

Now with more than four and a half years at Cummins, Demi’s work includes developing, modifying, tuning and validating controls software on test benches and vehicles, as well as preparing materials to ensure diagnostics meet regulatory standards. With the advancement of technology, her work lately also includes exploring AI solutions to improve efficiency in various software processes. 

“I like that my brain gets to tackle complex technical problems every day,” she said. “And whenever I see a truck or school bus with the Cummins logo, knowing that software I worked on could be on that vehicle gives me a real sense of accomplishment.”

Demi credits Cummins’ collaborative culture as a key factor in her growth and success.

“I never feel like I have to tackle a problem alone,” she said. “There are always people willing to help and experts ready to share their knowledge so we can achieve something bigger than any one of us.”

That environment reinforces values that matter deeply to Demi—particularly integrity.

“Integrity has always been a grounding value for me,” she said. “I make sure that anything I create or deliver, whether it’s software or documentation, is done the right way and meets defined customer requirements. It’s important to me that I can stand behind my work with confidence and know that it reflects my best effort.”

Beyond her technical role, Demi is also actively engaged in the community. She serves on the community involvement committee for the Cummins Black Network, where she has helped lead initiatives such as back-to-school drives and a poverty simulation in partnership with United Way of Bartholomew County.

“Being part of these initiatives allows me to see firsthand how Cummins shows up for the community,” she said. “It builds empathy and perspective, and it reinforces that the work we do here extends beyond our day-to-day roles.”

Looking ahead, Demi has ambitious goals. She hopes to grow into a senior leadership role where she can influence strategy, guide teams and connect day-to-day execution with the bigger picture. She credits mentoring programs and access to leaders across the company for helping her expand her vision for what’s possible.

“My experience here has taught me to dream big,” Demi said. “It has broadened my definition of what it means to be an engineer, showing me that technical depth doesn’t have to exist on its own. It can blend beautifully with creativity, collaboration and vision – a mix that will help me grow into a leader with a perspective that is uniquely my own.”

Through her work, Demi contributes to solutions that support customers and communities every day, while continuing to grow her technical expertise and leadership capabilities. Her journey reflects what can happen when curiosity is met with opportunity and collaboration. By staying true to her values and embracing new challenges, Demi is building a career defined by impact, integrity and continuous growth.