JobsMercury Marine

Mercury Marine - Systems/Software Engineering Co-op

Mercury Marine · Fond du Lac, WI

Posted Aug 24, 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 personal project where you had to pull data from one place, clean it up, and turn it into something useful, like a report or dashboard.

whether the candidate has actually done end-to-end data work rather than isolated coursework

Have you used Power BI, Ignition, or any similar dashboard tool before? If not, tell me about a time you had to pick up a new piece of software quickly.

honesty about tool gaps and evidence of fast self-directed learning, since training is provided but pace matters

Describe a time you worked with people who had very different technical backgrounds than you, maybe an engineer and a business person in the same meeting.

ability to communicate across the mix of controls engineers, data scientists, and plant personnel this role touches

Tell me about a time a project you were working on had shifting priorities or an unclear backlog. How did you handle it?

comfort with agile/iterative workflow and ambiguity, since the role explicitly runs on a feature backlog

Technical

Walk me through how you would write a SQL query to pull the last week of sensor readings from a manufacturing database, joined with a table that identifies which machine each sensor belongs to.

basic SQL fluency including joins, since this is used daily on the job

What's the difference between a real-time dashboard and a historical trending dashboard, and why might a plant manager want both?

whether they understand the actual use case for Ignition versus Power BI rather than treating them as interchangeable tools

What do you know about IIoT or Industry 4.0, and why do you think a manufacturing company like Mercury cares about connecting equipment to data systems?

whether they understand the business reason behind the work, not just the technical buzzwords

Have you written any scripts in Python or R to process a dataset? Walk me through what the data looked like and what your script did to it.

concrete scripting experience versus just having taken a course that mentioned the language

Situational

Say you're given access to a database and told the historical trend data looks wrong for one machine. How would you go about figuring out what's happening?

troubleshooting instinct and whether they'd check data source, timestamps, and unit conversions before assuming code error

If a plant floor supervisor tells you the new dashboard you built is 'basically useless' to them, what do you do next?

how they handle pushback and translate vague complaints into specific, actionable fixes

Imagine you're handed a REST API from a piece of manufacturing equipment and asked to pull its output into a database. What would you need to know before you start?

whether they think about authentication, data format, and frequency before jumping into code

This co-op runs full time for six or seven months and you'll be reporting progress to plant management regularly. How do you plan and communicate progress on a project that spans that long?

organizational skills and comfort giving updates to people above their level, since there are no direct reports to lean on

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 - Systems/Software Engineering Co-op Location: Plant 10-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 :  Co-op provides an opportunity to join the fast-paced Connected Operations and Analytics (CO&A) team. This position will be integral in supporting systems, application, and analytics development for Mercury Marine Global Operations. Candidate needs to be self-starter with passion for data-driven culture, analytics, and systems/application development. Working in a partnership with subject matter experts the CO&A team is responsible for connecting, collecting, analyzing, and publishing data from operational equipment and systems within multiple manufacturing plants. This work will help digitize Mercury’s manufacturing process. This Co-op position will support Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) initiatives. Initial responsibilities will be focused on backlog of feature development for ongoing projects in CO&A iterative/agile workflow. Role provides opportunities for expanded responsibilities in Systems Engineering, Project Management, APIs, Microsoft Power Apps, Power BI, Database Administration, Data Science/Engineering, and Advanced Analytics (ML/AI) development. At Brunswick, we have passion for our work and a distinct ability to deliver.  Essential Functions:   • Work with full-time team members located in multiple different operational plants, assisting with projects and analysis • Collaborate with Systems and Analytics Engineers, Controls/Automation Engineers, Architects, Data Scientists, and Data Engineers across the business per project • Connect, collect, and analyze data come from different types of operational equipment • Utilize SQL queries to help retrieve data stored in databases (on-site and cloud/Azure) • Create operational dashboards, data visualizations, and reporting • Create Realtime Dashboards via Ignition by Inductive Automation • Historical (trending) via Power BI by Microsoft • Develop software applications to help collect or deliver data to many manufacturing personnel throughout the organization • Participate in regular updates with management within the different plants • Data processing and analysis with scripting languages (R, Python) In addition to a great hands-on learning experience, you will also acquire the skills needed to: • Work within an agile/scrum/iterative workflow to meet timelines • Prioritize feature development driven from business value • Effectively and quickly collect and analyze data coming from IIoT devices and manufacturing equipment • Understand data storage and retrieval processes in large-scale manufacturing databases and business systems • Analyze data and make recommendations that effectively improve process costs • Effectively express your ideas, influence people, manage potentially contentious situations to a positive result and communicate with employees at all levels of an organization 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 Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a relevant degree with a controls/systems/analytics emphasis • Ability to quickly learn Ignition (Inductive Automation) and Power BI (Microsoft) software • Training provided as needed • 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 • Dependable, self-motivated, and engaged learner • Ability to occasionally lift up to 35 lbs. • Preferred Qualifications:   • Prior experience with SQL, relational databases, or data analysis projects • Familiarity with Python, R, Java, or C • Exposure to industrial automation, manufacturing systems, PLCs, SCADA, or IIOT Technologies • Coursework or project experience involving data analytics, machine learning, statistics, or artificial intelligence • Experience working with REST APIs, web services, or system integrations • Experience with source control systems such as Git or Azure DevOps • Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills demonstrated through academic, personal, or professional projects. 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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