JobsGenerac

Director Engineering- Internal Combustion Engine New Technology Introduction, Analysis and Simulation

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

Apply at Generac

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you took an engine technology from an early concept through progressively higher TRL levels to a production-ready design. What did that path actually look like?

whether the candidate has real experience running a technology maturation process, not just managing a single test or design cycle

Describe a time you had to build or rebuild an engineering team, including letting go of talent that wasn't performing. What did you look for when you rebuilt it?

real experience with talent management, succession planning, and making hard people decisions rather than just technical leadership

Describe how you've managed a departmental engineering budget, including a time you had to cut spending or reallocate funds mid-year.

real financial management experience beyond just technical oversight

Tell me about a benchmarking effort you led against competitor engine technology. What did you learn and how did it change your team's roadmap?

whether the candidate treats competitive benchmarking as a strategic input, not a checkbox exercise

Technical

Walk me through how you would set up an analysis and simulation organization that supports both new technology introduction and day-to-day product development at the same time.

ability to design an organizational structure and workflow that balances long-term R&D with near-term engineering demands

Say your simulation team's 1-D GT-SUITE model and your CFD combustion model disagree on where a knock-limited condition sits. How do you resolve that and decide what to tell the program team?

depth of hands-on knowledge of simulation tools and judgment about when to trust which model versus running physical validation

How have you used in-cylinder combustion modeling or CFD results to change a decision on power cylinder design or emissions strategy, and what was the business outcome?

whether simulation work actually drove product decisions, not just supported reports after the fact

What's your experience with exhaust aftertreatment and gaseous fuel systems, and how have you factored those into a technology roadmap for engine platforms like the ones Generac builds for generators?

depth of subject-matter expertise specific to industrial/commercial generator engines rather than automotive engines

How would you set up standardized reporting and governance so that simulation results from different engineers or tools are trusted and comparable across the organization?

ability to establish process discipline and data-driven standards across a distributed simulation team

Situational

You've got a team split across engine hardware, controls, benchmarking, and simulation, all reporting through you, and a product launch date that isn't moving. How do you decide where to put resources when everyone says they're behind?

prioritization skill and comfort making resourcing trade-offs across disciplines under schedule pressure

Tell me about a time your simulation team's recommendation conflicted with what the physical test data was showing. What did you do?

how the candidate handles conflicting evidence and whether they default to data discipline or gut instinct

How do you explain a complex CFD or FEA finding to a VP of Sales or a finance partner who needs to make a go/no-go call on a technology investment?

ability to translate technical simulation results into business language for non-technical stakeholders

A new engine control strategy passes simulation but a supplier partner raises concerns about manufacturability at cost targets. How do you work through that with operations and supply chain?

cross-functional collaboration skill and whether technical excellence gets balanced against cost and manufacturability realities

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Generac from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Generac.

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us? The Director Engineering- Internal Combustion Engine New Technology Introduction, Analysis and Simulation will shape the future of engine technology by building a high-performing engineering organization, advancing engine technologies, and translating simulation and test insights into products that deliver measurable customer and business value. The Director of Engineering for Internal Combustion Engine Technology leads teams that develop and mature advanced engine technologies. The role sets technical strategy across engine hardware, controls, benchmarking, cost optimization, and advanced analysis and simulation. This leader guides technologies through progressive technology readiness levels (TRL) by integrating competitive benchmarking, design, prototyping, physical testing, and model-based development. The position also establishes analysis and simulation capabilities and processes that support technology introduction and new product development. Success requires deep technical expertise in internal combustion engines, a record of building and leading high-performing engineering teams, and the ability to translate complex engineering work into clear business and product decisions. The organization combines physical testing with 1-D and 3-D simulation, CFD, FEA, in-cylinder combustion modeling, MATLAB/Simulink, Python-based analytics, machine learning, and co-simulation to improve engine performance, emissions, thermal and structural reliability, cost, and development speed to market. Working closely with business leaders and partners in service, operations, supply chain, and finance, this leader aligns technology investments with customer needs and commercial priorities. The Director also develops and implements disciplined engineering methods that deliver superior products while fostering innovation, creativity, technical excellence, and accountability across the organization. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or related degree; • 15 years of progressive engineering experience related to internal combustion engines • 7 years management experience PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Master’s Degree or PhD in related field preferred but not required. • Experience in industrial/commercial products environment. • Experience with global product releases throughout the entire product life cycle desired. • Advanced experience leading engine analysis, simulation, or development teams supporting internal combustion engine and/or generator platforms. • Expertise in advanced technology engine development, prototype, and testing. • Expertise in internal combustion engine hardware, controls, and emissions. • Experience with engine and engine system simulation tools and methods, including GT-SUITE, GT-xCHEM, CHEMKIN, Converge, Ansys Fluent, MATLAB/Simulink, Python, CFD, FEA, and predictive analytics or similar industry tools. • Experience using advanced simulation insights to influence product roadmaps, power cylinder optimization, emissions strategy, thermal management, aftertreatment design, and system validation priorities. ESSENTIAL DUTIES: • Designs and directs the work of the functional area. Selects, coaches, and develops the team, setting objectives that align with company strategy to inspire and motivate the team. • Manages organizational talent through performance management, succession planning and development. • Designs and directs processes by which team and individual performance are recognized, feedback is consistently delivered and performance is systematically improved. • Establishes the vision and strategy to drive world-class excellence within the global engines engineering team, including advanced engine analysis, simulation, modeling, and data-driven engineering capabilities that support internal combustion engine design and development. • Drives results that are specifically targeted to the industrial/commercial market and leads processes with corporate planning and new product development teams. • Creates and maintains an organizational culture which encourages innovation, collaboration, excitement/commitment and a sense of urgency toward goals, and continuous improvement. • Challenges team members to question the status quo and ensure that all aspects of the design, development, simulation, validation, and support process are optimal for the engine generator market. • Effectively manage the development process, including time compression techniques, design/application standards for improved repeatability, global process alignment, and standardized modeling workflows and analysis best practices that improve simulation efficiency and accuracy. Lead department process and best practices documentation. • Develop and lead the engine analysis and simulation portion of the product development life cycle which includes interaction from the various business segments throughout design, manufacturability, simulation, validation, and serviceability, providing customers the very best in innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. • Lead the application of 1-D and 3-D simulation, CFD, FEA, in-cylinder combustion analysis, co-simulation, and predictive analytics to evaluate thermal, structural, fluid dynamics, combustion, emissions, reliability, and system performance requirements. • Ensure the optimal application of technology, simulation tools, data analytics, and engineering resources to meet engine product development requirements. • Work directly with cross functional teams and product management in developing an advanced technology development roadmap for engines that targets specific customer needs. • Use simulation results and modeling insights to influence technology roadmaps, emissions reduction strategies, power cylinder optimization, aftertreatment design direction, gaseous fuel system considerations, and product reliability improvements.Manage expenses to ensure regulatory compliance and support corporate goals (e.g. revenue growth, profitability, market penetration). • Lead benchmarking activity for engine technology. Other Duties as assigned and the following: • Foster collaboration between engineering, sales, operations, finance, and other departments to identify and harvest new engineering concepts, technologies, techniques, standards and procedures. • Engage in and lead business planning processes, recruitment, retention, talent acquisition, development, and mentoring. • Sponsor the development of standardized reporting formats and governance for analysis objectives, methods, results, and engineering recommendations. • Stay informed on relevant technologies, tools, and industry trends in internal combustion engine simulation, emissions modeling, aftertreatment, co-simulation, and predictive analytics to support continuous improvement. • Other duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: • Advanced level experience in team building and leadership skills; • Demonstrated ability to deliver results while working on multiple global projects simultaneously, balancing resources, timing and quality of outcomes; • Advanced understanding of engineering technical issues/needs, financial, sales, and marketing as related to product design and development; • Deep understanding of internal combustion engine design, operation, testing, exhaust aftertreatment, thermal management, lubrication systems, crankcase ventilation, combustion phasing, turbochargers, exhaust gas recirculation, and gaseous fuel systems; • Executive-level ability to interpret, challenge, and communicate complex simulation, CFD, FEA, combustion, co-simulation, machine learning, and predictive analytics results to technical and non-technical stakeholders; • Ability to establish modeling workflows, analysis best practices, and data-driven decision-making standards that improve engineering efficiency, accuracy, and product reliability; • Excellent communication skills; • Self-driven, highly motivated, flexible and high capacity to learn; • Previous experience with managing a departmental budget. ​ PHYSICAL DEMANDS : While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion, the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend, or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus. Up to 10% travel and valid Driver’s License required. Benefits: This position includes a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans; life, long-term disability, flexible spending, and health savings accounts, accrued paid time off, 8 paid Holidays, opportunity for overtime and 401(k) retirement benefits. #LI-MH1 “We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”

Apply at Generac

Related jobs

New Product Sourcing Specialist - Purchasing

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Intern Engineering - Advanced Manufacturing

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Mechanical Engineer II

Generac · Sussex, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Material Handler - Weekend Shift

Generac · Whitewater, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Inside Sales Representative Residential

Generac · Pewaukee, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Industrial Engineer I

Generac · Beaver Dam, WI

Posted Sep 16 · Verified Sep 20