JobsGenerac

Mechanical Engineer III

Generac · Sussex, WI

Posted Jul 15, 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

Walk me through a generator set design you led from concept to implementation. What were the biggest tradeoffs you had to balance between cost, performance, and manufacturability?

whether they can own a full product development lifecycle and articulate real engineering tradeoffs, not just describe a task list

Tell me about a time a design you released caused a problem in the field or on the manufacturing line. What happened and what did you change?

accountability and whether they close the loop between design decisions and downstream consequences

Tell me about a time you had to convince manufacturing or sourcing to accept a design choice they pushed back on. How did you handle it?

ability to hold technical ground while still collaborating across functions rather than just deferring or steamrolling

Describe your experience mentoring a junior engineer. What's an example of a mistake they made that you helped them work through?

whether they can actually teach and correct without just doing the work themselves, since mentoring is called out as a duty

Tell me about a design decision where you had to weigh safety or compliance requirements against cost pressure. How did you resolve it?

whether safety and reliability actually win when they conflict with business pressure

What's an example of a continuous improvement idea you pushed for on a product or process, and how did you get others on board?

initiative beyond assigned tasks and ability to influence without formal authority

Technical

What CAD tools have you used day to day, and can you describe a design where you had to model something mechanically complex, like an enclosure or bracket system with sheet metal and cast parts together?

actual depth with Solidworks or Creo and comfort mixing material types in one assembly

When would you reach for FEA versus CFD versus just doing a physical prototype test, and how do you decide that's enough analysis before moving forward?

judgment about when simulation is worth the time versus when it's overkill or insufficient

How have you used an ERP system like SAP in your engineering work, and what's an example of a BOM or material requirement issue you had to sort out?

real familiarity with the administrative backbone of manufacturing engineering, not just design skill

How do you go about writing a technical specification or drawing package so that someone in manufacturing or service who wasn't in the room can actually build or fix the part correctly?

clarity of technical communication and awareness that documentation serves people outside engineering

Situational

Say you're doing sustaining engineering on an existing genset and a supplier tells you a cast component is being discontinued. Walk me through how you'd approach finding and validating a replacement.

practical process for material substitution under supply constraints without regressing reliability or cost

Imagine you're partway through a new genset development project and a quality issue surfaces on a legacy product that shares a component. How do you prioritize your time between the two?

how they triage competing demands independently, since this role is described as working with high autonomy

A generator set fails a validation test late in the schedule, close to a launch date. What's your first move?

how they respond under schedule pressure and whether they default to rigor or to shortcuts

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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? The Mechanical Engineer III is a senior-level engineering professional responsible for leading product modifications, sustaining engineering initiatives, and new product development activities for generator set (genset) products. This role serves as a key technical contributor, partnering with cross-functional teams across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Service, and Marketing to deliver innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions. Working with a high degree of independence, the Mechanical Engineer III drives projects from concept through implementation, applies advanced engineering principles to solve complex technical challenges, and provides technical guidance to less experienced engineers while ensuring products meet customer, quality, and business objectives. Responsibilities • Lead the design, development, validation, and implementation of new products, product enhancements, and generator set modifications. • Define technical requirements and develop engineering solutions that balance performance, cost, reliability, safety, and manufacturability. • Utilize CAD and engineering analysis tools to create detailed designs, engineering drawings, and technical documentation. • Develop and execute product testing, validation, and risk assessment activities to ensure fitness-for-use and compliance with design requirements. • Create and maintain product specifications, bills of materials, and material requirements to support product development and manufacturing. • Collaborate with manufacturing, sourcing, quality, service, and external partners to optimize designs and resolve technical issues throughout the product lifecycle. • Lead and support cross-functional projects, providing technical expertise, troubleshooting complex challenges, and implementing effective solutions. • Mentor and support the development of less experienced engineers while contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across products, services, and processes. Minimum Qualifications • Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related discipline; • 5+ years of relevant work experience with Solidworks or Creo; Preferred Qualifications • Experience in product design, development, and sustaining engineering within a manufacturing or industrial environment. • Proficiency with 3D CAD modelling and engineering design software, such as Creo (ProE) or SolidWorks. • Experience conducting engineering analyses using tools such as FEA, CFD, or similar simulation methods. • Knowledge of machine design principles and experience designing with materials including plastics, sheet metal, and cast components. • Strong project management, analytical problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently. • Effective written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to translate technical information for a variety of audiences. • Experience working in cross-functional teams and collaborating with manufacturing, quality, sourcing, and operations partners. • Working knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP and strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word. “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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