JobsGenerac

NPD Project Engineer IV

Generac · Oshkosh, WI

Posted Sep 7, 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

Walk me through a generator or power generation product you took from concept to production launch. What was your role as the system-level engineer?

whether the candidate has genuinely led end-to-end system integration, not just contributed one subsystem

Tell me about a time you had to integrate mechanical, electrical, and controls subsystems into one product and something didn't fit together the way you expected. What did you do?

real hands-on experience resolving cross-domain integration conflicts, a core function of this role

Tell me about a design review where you pushed back on a decision because of integration risk, even though it was unpopular with the team or program timeline.

willingness to surface hard tradeoffs and defend technical judgment under schedule pressure

Tell me about a time you worked with manufacturing engineering or a contract manufacturer to change a design because it wasn't scalable or serviceable enough.

experience designing for manufacturability rather than just functional performance

Describe a time you mentored a less experienced engineer through a systems-thinking problem. What was the gap you were trying to close?

coaching ability and how the candidate thinks about developing integration discipline in others

Have you contributed to or written engineering standards or design guidelines at a system level? What prompted that work?

seniority signal, whether the candidate operates beyond individual projects to shape broader practice

Technical

How would you translate a vague customer requirement, like 'quieter operation,' into system-level and component-level specifications for a generator?

ability to decompose ambiguous requirements into engineering-actionable targets

What's your process for balancing cost, reliability, and schedule when a design change would improve one but hurt the others?

depth of engineering judgment on tradeoff analysis, a named responsibility in the posting

Describe your experience with Creo for system layouts versus detailed component drawings. How do you keep those in sync as a design matures?

actual fluency with the specific CAD tool and discipline around design maturity control

How have you used SAP or a similar ERP system in managing BOMs and change requests during a development program?

practical familiarity with the data and process discipline required, not just tool exposure

What kind of fitness-for-use testing or process validation plans have you developed for a complex electromechanical product, and how did you decide what to test?

hands-on rigor in test planning versus relying on generic checklists

Situational

Suppose during validation testing you find a performance issue that only shows up when the engine, alternator, and enclosure are all assembled together, not in any single subsystem test. How would you run root-cause analysis on that?

structured problem-solving skill on integration-level failures versus component-level thinking

You're leading a cross-functional team and the mechanical lead and controls lead disagree on how to allocate a cost reduction target. How do you work through that?

leadership style and ability to drive accountability without direct authority

If a program is two weeks from a major milestone and you discover a design flaw that could affect safety compliance, how do you handle the schedule versus risk decision?

judgment under pressure when safety, cost, and schedule are in direct conflict

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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? The New Product Development (NPD) Project Engineer IV leads and contributes to new product development programs with a strong emphasis on systems integration and program execution. This role is responsible for technical leadership of cross‑functional development teams delivering integrated generator systems and subsystems from concept through production launch. The NPD Project Engineer applies advanced mechanical or electrical engineering expertise to ensure system‑level performance, manufacturability, cost, quality, and schedule objectives are successfully achieved. Responsibilities: • Lead technical execution of new product development programs, serving as a system‑level engineer responsible for integration, design maturity, and on‑time delivery.  • Lead teams to Architect, design, and integrate complex mechanical and electrical systems for generator and power generation products, including engines, alternators, enclosures, controls, and supporting subsystems as applicable.  • Translate customer, regulatory, and business requirements into system‑ and component‑level functional and performance requirements.  • Design, test, and integrate complex components and assemblies; evaluate designs for effectiveness, cost (including cost/benefit analysis), reliability (risk analysis), safety, and compliance.  • Drive design reviews and technical decision‑making, ensuring system integration risks are identified early and mitigated through structured problem solving.  • Develop, execute, and evaluate fitness‑for‑use testing, product specifications, and process validation plans for complex generator systems and components.  • Utilize CAD and CAE tools (Creo) to develop system layouts, component designs, and detailed engineering drawings supporting integrated designs.  • Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, suppliers, and contract manufacturers to optimize generator designs for manufacturability, scalability, quality, and serviceability.  • Support program planning and execution by contributing to development schedules, cost estimates, design input tracking, and launch readiness activities.  • Lead root‑cause analysis and corrective actions for integration, performance, or quality issues identified during development, validation, or early production.  • Apply engineering judgment to balance technical performance, cost, risk, and schedule tradeoffs, making informed recommendations to program and functional leadership.  • Actively mentor and coach less experienced engineers, particularly in systems thinking, integration discipline, and design best practices.  • Use SAP and Change Request processes within the assigned functional area, supporting engineering data integrity, BOM management, and program execution processes.  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of engineering standards, system guidelines, and procedures.  • Perform other related duties as assigned.  Minimum Job Requirements : • Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline. ​ • Minimum of 9 years of progressive engineering experience in new product development of complex electromechanical systems.  • Demonstrated experience with generator or power generation products, including system level integration and cross functional execution. ​   Knowledge / Skills / Abilities : • Strong systems level engineering capability with the ability to integrate mechanical, electrical, and controls elements into cohesive product solutions.  • Proven ability to lead technical execution and drive accountability across cross functional development teams. • Excellent problem solving and decision making skills applied to complex, integrated systems.  • Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling and detailed drawing creation (Creo).  • Experience with machine design and electromechanical system integration.  • Business and program execution acumen with the ability to interpret requirements, assess tradeoffs, and recommend effective solutions.  • Familiarity with SAP or equivalent ERP systems.  • Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate technical content clearly to diverse audiences.  Preferred Qualifications: • Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related discipline  • Experience serving as a system or technical lead on generator or power generation product development programs.  • Experience leading small to medium sized cross functional development teams through major program milestones and product launches. ​ • Recognized technical expert within own functional or systems domain.  • Broad perspective enabling optimization across system performance, cost, manufacturability, and schedule.  • Experience writing and maintaining system level standards, design guidelines, and engineering procedures.  • Proven ability to coach and mentor engineers in systems integration, design execution, and technical decision making 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 ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel. #LI-KA1 “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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