JobsGenerac

Engineering Co-Op - Engines

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Aug 27, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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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 had to follow someone else's process or procedure closely, even when you might have done it differently. How did you handle that?

whether they can work under close supervision without pushing back inappropriately, since this is an entry-level structured role

Describe a time you had to explain something technical to someone who didn't have your background, maybe a teammate or a professor grading a report. How did you adjust your language?

written and oral communication skill, called out explicitly in the posting

Tell me about a group project where the schedule slipped. What caused it and what did you personally do about it?

awareness of how their actions affect product development timelines and cost, which the posting stresses

Tell me about a time you made a mistake on a design or calculation and someone else caught it. What happened after that?

whether they take ownership of errors and learn from feedback rather than getting defensive

Technical

Walk me through a class project or lab where you had to build a 3D model or drawing package from scratch. What tool did you use and what did the final deliverable look like?

whether they have real hands-on CAD experience, not just coursework exposure

Have you worked with Pro-E, or is your CAD background mostly in something else like SolidWorks or AutoCAD? How fast do you think you'd pick up Pro-E on the job?

honesty about the exact skill gap and realistic self-assessment of ramp-up time

Say you're given a 2D cross section and asked to convert it into a 3D model with a tolerance stack-up. What's your process for making sure the tolerances actually work together?

understanding of GD&T basics and whether they grasp why stack-ups matter for manufacturing

What generator or power equipment products have you looked at or worked with, even informally? What did you notice about how they're built?

genuine curiosity about the product domain versus generic engineering interest

How comfortable are you with Excel for things like tracking part specs or running basic cost comparisons? Give me an example of something you built in it.

practical Microsoft Office fluency beyond just claiming familiarity

Situational

You're asked to update a bill of materials for a part that's changing, but you're not sure which downstream teams use that BOM. What do you do before making the change?

caution and communication instincts around a task with real consequences if done carelessly

If you're designing a component and the manufacturing team tells you it can't be built the way you drew it, what's your next step?

willingness to collaborate with manufacturing partners and adjust designs for manufacturability rather than defend the original design

If your class schedule changes mid-semester and it conflicts with the 15 to 20 hour weekly commitment here, how would you handle that conversation with your manager?

reliability and proactive communication about a co-op's inherently variable schedule

When you don't know how to do something on a project, what's your first move: ask a teammate, search online, dig through documentation, or something else?

problem-solving approach and comfort using existing procedures rather than freelancing solutions

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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? Generac’s Co Op position is responsible to work with other engineers to fulfill special design requests on our products. Under supervision of engineers, the Co Op will create definitions of parts and assemblies in the form of 2D cross sections, 3D models, tolerance stack-ups, and various electronic data formats to support analysis, manufacturing, assembly and service. You will also create Pro-E models, drawings and templates as well as make changes to BOM's.  Participants develop technical skills through challenging assignments and usage of technical tools.    Minimum Qualifications:   • Currently pursuing a BS degree (preferably in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or Civil Engineering).   • Understanding or working knowledge of Pro-E and/or AutoCAD experience.   • Microsoft Office experience (including Excel).   • Proficient oral and written communication and able to write clearly and succinctly to get a message across.   • The ability to work 15-20 hours during the school year and full time during school breaks   Roles and Responsibilities:   • Designs, validates, and brings new products to market.    • Provide new product development support in the Industrial, Commercial, Residential and/or Retail generator or Power Tool product area including; Creating and maintaining CAD models, drawings, and BOMs, Supporting product development plans (schedule, product cost, meeting design inputs), Interfacing with internal company personnel, Provide technical support for assigned projects.   • Specifies precise new product functional requirements; designs, tests and integrates standard, less complex components to produce final designs; and evaluates the design's overall effectiveness, cost (including cost/benefit analysis), reliability (risk analysis), and safety.    • Designs, develops, executes and evaluates fitness-for-use testing, product specifications and process validation plans for standard products and/or components; creates and reviews material part specifications and bills of materials.    • Collaborates with internal manufacturing partners, contract manufacturers, designers and product specialists to optimize basic designs for manufacturability.    • Utilizes CAD (Computer Aided Design) or CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) systems to model new designs and produce detailed engineering drawings.    • Supporting product development plans (schedule, product cost, meeting design inputs). • Travel to other Generac facilities as necessary   • Other duties as assigned.   Level of Independence:     • Receives close level of technical instruction, guidance and direction from others. • Performs routine assignments in the entry level of the Professional Career Band. • Develops competence by performing structured work assignments. • Uses existing procedures to solve problems. • Strong decision-making skills. • Participates in cross-functional project teams.                                                              • Offer recommendations and solutions. • Take ownership of designs. • At this level, learns how to apply principles and theories in a practical manner.           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 the ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel. “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.”

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