JobsMercury Marine

Mercury Marine: Quality 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 time you worked on a team project in school or a past job where people had different opinions about how to solve a problem. What did you do?

whether the candidate can build working relationships across different roles, since the job requires daily interaction with supervisors, technicians, and hourly employees

Describe a time you had to collect and organize a messy set of data, maybe for a class project or job, and figure out what it was telling you.

comfort working with real, imperfect data rather than clean textbook datasets

Tell me about a time an authority figure, like a professor or manager, gave you feedback that stung a little. How did you handle it?

coachability, since the posting emphasizes ongoing feedback and performance reviews during the co-op

Tell me about a project you owned from start to finish, in school or work, where you had to manage your own timeline without much oversight.

readiness to independently own assigned projects, as the posting specifically calls out

Why are you interested in quality engineering specifically, rather than another engineering track, and why Mercury Marine's manufacturing environment?

genuine motivation and whether the candidate understands what this specific role involves versus a generic engineering internship

Technical

What statistics have you used in coursework, like F-tests or distribution analysis, and can you give an example of a problem you applied them to?

whether the stated statistics background is real and applied, not just a class name on a transcript

Have you ever used gauges or measurement instruments in a lab or job setting? Tell me what you were measuring and how you made sure your readings were accurate.

any hands-on exposure to measurement and quality control tools versus purely classroom knowledge

How comfortable are you with Excel beyond basic formulas, things like pivot tables or data analysis tools? Give an example of something you built or analyzed.

whether 'advanced Excel skills' claimed on the resume hold up to specifics

What do you know about continuous improvement tools like Six Sigma, 5S, or root cause methods such as fishbone diagrams or the five whys?

baseline familiarity with the quality methodology vocabulary the job expects them to apply

Situational

Walk me through how you would figure out the root cause of a defect if a customer reported a problem with an engine part but the manufacturing floor said everything looked fine.

basic grasp of root cause analysis and whether the candidate defaults to blame or to investigation

If you noticed a process on the production floor that seemed risky or likely to cause a defect down the line, but nobody had raised it yet, what would you do?

initiative and willingness to speak up as a co-op without formal authority

Imagine a production supervisor pushes back when you ask for time or data to investigate a quality issue because it will slow down their line. How do you handle that conversation?

ability to hold ground diplomatically with people who have more plant experience and different priorities

You are told you can only work full time from January through August, or May through December. Walk me through your schedule and how you would make sure you meet the full 40-hour weeks and the co-op program requirements at your university.

logistical seriousness about the commitment and clarity on academic co-op program enrollment

Practice this interview out loud.

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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: Quality Engineering Co-op Location: 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 a Quality Engineering Co-op, you will work collaboratively and independently with highly qualified manufacturing, quality and engineering professionals who are responsible for the production and manufacture of outboard and sterndrive motors for the recreational boating industry.     You will become an integral member of a manufacturing team committed to delivering superior results. You'll learn how to work on the plant floor as part of a team of managers, supervisors, technicians, and production employees, 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:   • Develop and maintain professional working relationships with manufacturing supervisors, hourly employees, engineers, technicians, and managers    • Test, analyze, and report results on our internal and external quality concerns.    • Interface daily with customers to identify root cause and implement corrective actions to improve process and quality control.    • Assist in evaluating product issues identified by our customers    • Collaborate on resolution of process and product issues    • Collect and analyze data from manufacturing and warranty    • Mitigate risk through proactive analysis on manufacturing processes and systems    In addition to a great hands-on learning experience, you will also acquire the skills needed to:     • Use and familiarize yourself with gauging techniques and instruments and different manufacturing processes.    • Gain a better understanding of the manufacturing environment and success factors for your future.    • Utilize personal influence to drive Continuous Improvement through the application of quality tools and methodology.    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 preferred emphasis in Quality, Industrial Technology, Industrial Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering.    • Minimum second semester sophomore status with 48 completed credits    • Availability to work full-time (40 or more hours per week) through a full co-op term running January to August 2027 or May to December 2027   • The ability to enroll in a formalized co-op Program through your university    • Strong math background with experience in basic statistics (F and Tests, Distribution analysis, etc.)    • Advanced computers skills include Excel and PowerPoint.    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 or intern, you will receive feedback and performance reviews throughout your assignment. We value the importance for interns to understand their progress and areas for improvement.  • The 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.  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 Headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Mercury Marine® is the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. A division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), Mercury provides engines, boats, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications. Mercury empowers boaters with products that are easy to use, extremely reliable and backed by the most dedicated customer support in the world. The company’s industry-leading brand portfolio includes Mercury outboard engines, Mercury MerCruiser® sterndrive and inboard packages, Mercury propellers, Mercury inflatable boats, Mercury SmartCraft® electronics, Land 'N' Sea 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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