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Mechanical Engineering Intern - Transfer Switch - Summer 2027

Generac · Waukesha, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 23, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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.

About your past

Tell me about a class or team project where you had to design something under real constraints.

What they are checking: How they handle tradeoffs and teamwork before they have industry experience.

Tell me about a time you had to explain a technical idea in writing to someone who wasn't an engineer.

What they are checking: Clear, short writing, which the posting asks for specifically.

Tell me about a mistake you made on a technical project. How did you catch and fix it?

What they are checking: Honesty and learning from errors, which matters when interns touch production drawings.

What would you do

An engineer asks you to change a part on the BOM, but you're not sure it fits the rest of the assembly. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they check and ask before making changes that flow into manufacturing.

How would you balance 15 to 20 hours a week here with a full engineering course load?

What they are checking: Reliability during the school year, which the posting requires.

What would you do if you finished an assignment early and your supervisor was in meetings all day?

What they are checking: Initiative and judgment about useful next steps without direction.

About the work

What's a part or assembly you've modeled in Pro-E, Creo, SolidWorks or AutoCAD? Walk me through how you built it.

What they are checking: Real CAD experience, since interns here create models, drawings and templates from day one.

What is a tolerance stack-up, and why would one matter for a transfer switch enclosure?

What they are checking: Whether they grasp how small variations add up and affect fit and assembly.

What do you know about what a transfer switch does in a home standby system?

What they are checking: Curiosity about the product they would be designing for, not just the title.

How have you used Excel for engineering work, like tracking data or calculations?

What they are checking: Practical spreadsheet skill that supports analysis and BOM work.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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? Job Summary: Generac’s Intern position is responsible to work with other engineers to fulfill special design requests on our products. Under supervision of engineers, the intern 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. Education, Skills & Experience: • 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 KEY DUTIES: • 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.” “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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