JobsGenerac

Industrial Engineering Intern - Summer 2027

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Sep 16, 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 explain something technical to someone who didn't have your background. How did you adjust how you talked about it?

clear written and oral communication, since the posting calls that out explicitly as a required skill

Tell me about a group project that didn't go smoothly. What happened, and what did you do about it?

how they handle friction on a team, since interns work closely with manufacturing partners and other engineers

Tell me about a time you had to learn a new tool or software quickly with little guidance. How did you approach it?

self-directed learning ability, since interns are expected to pick up company-specific CAD standards and systems fast

Describe a time you had to do a cost or risk trade-off on a project, even a small one, like choosing a cheaper material or a simpler process. How did you decide?

early exposure to balancing cost, reliability, and safety, which the posting lists as part of evaluating a design's effectiveness

Technical

Walk me through a class project or job where you used AutoCAD or Pro-E to design or model something. What were you actually responsible for?

whether the CAD experience listed on the resume is real, hands-on work versus a single tutorial or brief exposure

Have you studied any Lean or Six Sigma concepts, and can you give an example of how you'd use one, like a value stream map or a 5S exercise, on an actual production line?

whether they can connect classroom theory to real shop-floor application, which matters for the CI/quality track

What does designing for manufacturability actually mean to you, and can you think of an example where a design choice made a part harder or easier to build?

whether they understand the link between design decisions and production reality, not just CAD mechanics

What's a product you use regularly, like a generator or a power tool, and if you had to guess how it's tested for durability, what would you check for?

curiosity and basic grasp of fitness-for-use testing concepts even without direct experience

Situational

Say you're asked to update a bill of materials for a part that's already in production and you notice the drawing doesn't match what's on the shop floor. What do you do?

attention to detail and whether they'd flag a discrepancy rather than just fix it quietly or ignore it

Imagine you're mapping out the workflow on an assembly line and you find a station that's clearly a bottleneck. How would you go about figuring out what's causing it before you propose a fix?

basic industrial engineering problem-solving instinct, whether they gather data before jumping to a solution

If you were partway through a 12-week internship project and realized the schedule you agreed to at the start wasn't realistic anymore, how would you handle that conversation with your mentor?

honesty and proactive communication under schedule pressure, since supporting product development schedules is a core duty

This role is full-time on-site for the summer, and there could be travel to other Generac facilities. Is there anything about that schedule or travel that would be hard for you to manage?

logistical fit and honesty about constraints before they commit to the internship

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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? About the Internship Program   Generac’s Internship Program is full-time ( 40 hours per week) from May/June through August 2027. The program will be on-site , with positions in the following locations: Waukesha, WI (headquarters); Pewaukee, WI; plant locations throughout Wisconsin.    Generac’s Internship Program is designed to provide students with real-world experience in a supportive and innovative environment. Students contribute to impactful projects, gain exposure to industry best practices, and build lasting professional connections. This is a valuable opportunity to develop your professional and technical skills and grow alongside experienced mentors.     Potential Roles You Will Be Considered For: -Manufacturing Engineering - Develops and improves manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, and production methods to safely and efficiently build high-quality products. -Industrial Engineering - Analyzes workflows, resources, and operations to improve productivity, capacity utilization, and overall operational efficiency. -Automation Engineering - Designs automated manufacturing systems, robotics, and digital factory technologies that increase throughput, consistency, and safety. -Continuous Improvement & Quality - Leads initiatives focused on quality, process improvement, waste reduction, reliability, and operational excellence using Lean and Six Sigma principles.   EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:   • Currently pursuing a bachelors or advanced degree (preferably in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or Civil Engineering).   • Understanding or working knowledge of Pro-E and/or AutoCAD experience.   • Proficient oral and written communication and able to write clearly and succinctly to get a message across.   • Ability to work FULL-TIME during the Summer – 40 Hour Week; Potential to work part time through the school year.   PREFERRED EDUCATION:   • Completion of Sophomore year     KEY DUTIES:   • Designs, validates , and brings new products to market.    • Provides 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 ; P rovide 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.    • Supports product development plans (schedule, product cost, meeting design inputs)   • Travels to other Generac facilities as necessary   • Other duties as assigned.     “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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