Mechanical Engineering Intern - Summer 2027
Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
Tell me about a class project or personal project where you designed a part or system from scratch. What did you build and what tools did you use?
What they are checking: whether the candidate has hands-on design experience beyond coursework and can explain their process clearly
Describe a time you had to explain a technical idea to someone who wasn't an engineer, or who didn't have your same background.
What they are checking: written and oral communication skills, which the posting explicitly calls out
Tell me about a group project where you had to work with people who had different priorities than you, like a teammate focused on cost while you were focused on performance.
What they are checking: ability to collaborate across functions, since the role involves working with manufacturing, designers, and product specialists
Tell me about a time a deadline was tight and something didn't go as planned. How did you handle it?
What they are checking: ability to manage schedule pressure and adapt, since interns support product development plans and timelines
What do you understand about generators, engines, or power equipment, even at a basic level, and why does this industry interest you?
What they are checking: genuine interest in Generac's product space versus applying to any internship
What would you do
Suppose you're testing a component and the results don't match what your simulation or hand calculations predicted. What would you do next?
What they are checking: whether the candidate can troubleshoot systematically instead of guessing or panicking
If you were asked to redesign a part to cut cost without hurting reliability, what factors would you look at first?
What they are checking: understanding of the tradeoffs between cost, performance, and manufacturability that the role centers on
If a part you designed passed your own review but a manufacturing partner said it couldn't be built as drawn, what would you do?
What they are checking: willingness to take feedback from manufacturing and iterate on designs for manufacturability
This role requires being on-site full time all summer, with possible travel to other Generac facilities. Is there anything about that schedule or travel that would be hard for you?
What they are checking: confirming logistical fit and honesty about availability constraints
About the work
Walk me through how you would create a CAD model and drawing package for a simple bracket, starting from a rough sketch or requirement.
What they are checking: basic familiarity with CAD workflow and drawing standards, since Pro-E or AutoCAD proficiency is a stated requirement
Have you used Pro-E, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar software? Tell me about the most complex model or assembly you built.
What they are checking: actual depth of CAD experience versus just listing the software on a resume
What do you know about FEA or CFD, and have you used either in a class or project?
What they are checking: exposure to simulation tools relevant to the simulation engineering track, without expecting expert-level skill
If you're given a set of functional requirements for a new component, how would you go about deciding which design solution to pursue?
What they are checking: basic grasp of engineering design process, from requirements to concept evaluation
Practice this interview out loud.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Generac.