JobsMercury Marine

Mercury Marine: Materials Engineering Co-op

Mercury Marine · Fond du Lac, WI

Posted Aug 25, 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 class project or lab where you had to test the chemical or physical properties of a material. Walk me through what you did.

whether they have hands-on lab experience relevant to alloy testing, not just classroom theory

Have you ever written or edited a procedure or instructions that someone else had to follow? What made it clear or unclear?

ability to produce documentation that operators and technicians can actually use on the floor

Describe a time you had to work with people who had very different backgrounds than you, like production operators versus engineers. How did you adjust how you communicated?

comfort bridging the gap between technical staff and floor personnel

Tell me about a project you owned from start to finish, even a small one. What was the biggest obstacle and how did you get past it?

capacity to manage a project independently, which the posting explicitly calls out

Tell me about a time you got feedback on your work that was hard to hear. What did you do with it?

coachability, since the role explicitly includes regular performance feedback for a co-op

Why materials engineering, and why does working on the manufacturing side, rather than pure research, interest you?

genuine motivation for a production-floor role versus a lab-only research role

Technical

What do you know about aluminum alloys and tool steel, and why their chemical composition matters in a casting process?

baseline materials science knowledge specific to what they will actually test on the job

What safety precautions come to mind when you think about handling molten metal or working near a metal melting operation?

basic safety awareness for a manufacturing floor environment

What lab or analytical equipment have you used for testing chemical or metallurgical properties, and how comfortable are you with it?

actual hands-on familiarity with relevant instrumentation versus only having read about it

Situational

If you ran a chemical analysis on a batch of alloy and the results were outside the expected range, what would you do next?

whether they understand the need to flag anomalies rather than assume the test is fine or bury the result

This role has you coordinating with full-time team members across multiple plants. How would you keep a project moving if the people you depend on are in a different location and slower to respond?

self-direction and follow-through on projects without constant supervision

If you were asked to analyze data from a set of chemical composition tests and present findings to engineers who don't have your lab background, how would you explain it?

ability to translate technical results for a non-specialist audience

Say a production supervisor tells you a batch needs to move now, but your chemical test isn't finished yet. What do you do?

judgment under pressure to balance data integrity against production urgency without overstepping their role

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Mercury Marine from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Mercury Marine.

Are you ready for what’s next?   Come explore opportunities within Brunswick, a global marine leader committed to challenging conventions and innovating next-generation technologies that transform experiences on the water and beyond.  Brunswick believes “Next Never Rests™,” and we offer a variety of exciting careers and growth opportunities within united teams defining the future of marine recreation.  Mercury Marine-Fond du Lac, WI- Mercury Marine: Materials Engineering Co-op Location: Plant 17, Fond du Lac, WI Workplace Category: Onsite Travel Required: No Direct Reports: No Pay Range:  $18.00-$27.50 Visa Sponsorship: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.  This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.   Relocation: Yes Innovation is the heart of Brunswick.  See how your contributions will help transform vision into reality: Position Overview :  As part of the talented Engineering team, you will work collaboratively and independently with highly qualified manufacturing professionals who are responsible for the metal melting process used to manufacture outboard and sterndrive motors for the recreational boating industry. You will learn to work with Operations leaders, supervisors, technicians, and production operators on the manufacturing floor as you own and manage assigned projects from inception to completion. At Brunswick, we have passion for our work and a distinct ability to deliver.  Essential Functions:   • Test chemical properties of alloys used in production for our casting processes. • Analyze chemical properties for aluminum and tool steel • Work with full-time team members located in multiple different operational plants, assisting with projects and analysis • Develop and edit operating procedures Diversity of thought and experiences is fundamental when imagining the unimaginable. Certain skillsets/experiences are necessary; however, others can be developed along the way. Required Qualifications:    • Current enrollment in a BS program with a major in Material Science, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a relevant degree with a controls/systems/analytics emphasis • Minimum second semester sophomore status with 48 completed credits • Availability to work full-time (40 or more hours per week) during the the months of January through August or May through December of 2027 • The ability to enroll in a formalized co-op Program through your university • Dependable, self-motivated and engaged learner • Ability to occasionally lift up to 35 lbs. Working Conditions: • Learning Opportunities: Our Student Program is designed to provide hands-on experience in a professional setting. You will work alongside experienced professionals and get a chance to apply your academic knowledge to real-world tasks.    • Project Work: The work environment is supportive, collaborative, and conducive to learning. Student co-ops or interns typically work on specific projects or tasks that contribute to the organization’s goals. This may range from supporting larger projects to handling smaller, individual assignments.     • Hours: Co-ops and Interns are expected to work a full 40-hour work week  • Feedback and Performance Reviews: As a co-op, you will receive feedback and performance reviews throughout your assignment. We value the importance for interns to understand their progress and areas for improvement.  Pay The anticipated pay range for this position is $18.00 - $27.50 per hour. The actual hourly rate offered will vary depending on multiple factors including year in school/credits earned, degree, job-related knowledge/skills, relevant experience, business needs, and geographic location.  At Brunswick, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top end of the salary range for their role. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the specifics of the candidate’s qualifications and the business context. Why Brunswick:   Whatever tomorrow brings, we’ll be at the leading edge.  As the clear leader in the marine industry, we’re committed to our values and supporting our exceptional people. We offer and encourage growth opportunities within and across our many brands. In addition, we’re proud of being recognized for making a splash with numerous awards !  About Mercury Marine:   Mercury Marine is a world leading manufacturer of marine propulsion systems. A $2.6 billion division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), Mercury designs, manufactures and distributes engines, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications, empowering boaters with products that are easy to use, extremely reliable and backed by the most dedicated customer support in the world with 10,000 service points globally. Mercury’s industry-leading brand portfolio includes Mercury outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard packages; Mercury global parts and accessories; Land ’N’ Sea, BLA, Payne’s Marine, Kellogg Marine & Lankhorst Taselaar marine parts distribution; and Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils. More information is available at mercurymarine.com.    Next is Now!   We value growth and development, recognizing that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Brunswick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to innovation and inspiration and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.  If you require accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact hrsharedservices@brunswick.com  for support.  Brunswick and Workday Privacy Policies Brunswick does not accept applications, inquiries or solicitations from unapproved staffing agencies or vendors. For help, please contact our support team at: hrsharedservices@brunswick.com or 866-278-6942. All job offers will come to you via the candidate portal you create when applying through a posted position through https:///www.brunswick.com/careers .  If you are ever unsure about what is being required of you during the application process or its source, please contact HR Shared Services at 866-278-6942 or HRSharedServices@brunswick.com . #Brunswick Corporation - Mercury Marine For more information about EEO laws, - click here Brunswick Corporation participates in E-Verify as part of our commitment to a lawful and transparent hiring process. For additional information click here: https://www.brunswick.com/e-verify .

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