Power System Controls Engineer
Posted Aug 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026
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
Describe a time you had to modify a template HMI to fit a project-specific PLC program. What went wrong and how did you catch it.
attention to detail and whether they have real experience adapting standardized tools to custom jobs
Tell me about a project where you had to coordinate with purchasing, suppliers, contractors, and end users at the same time, and something almost fell through the cracks.
cross-functional coordination skill in a role that touches many disciplines
Tell me about a time you had to mentor or train a less experienced engineer on controls design or PLC programming. What did you focus on.
ability to transfer knowledge, since this senior role includes mentoring duties
Describe a design review you led or participated in where you caught a significant error before it went to manufacturing.
rigor and whether design review is a real habit or an afterthought
Tell me about a new automation technology you researched and pushed to bring into a project. What happened with it.
initiative and curiosity about new tools, since the posting explicitly wants someone who tracks emerging technology
Technical
Walk me through how you would design a control scheme for switchgear that parallels multiple generators to one or more utility sources.
whether the candidate actually understands paralleling and synchronization logic at a systems level, not just PLC syntax
Tell me about a PLC program you wrote or modified for generator paralleling switchgear. What platform was it on and what made it tricky.
hands-on depth with real paralleling control code versus generic PLC experience
What's your experience with communication protocols like Modbus or Canbus in a switchgear or microgrid control setup, and where have you seen them cause integration problems.
depth beyond buzzwords on protocols that actually get used in this equipment
How would you approach designing grounding schemes and one-line diagrams for a low or medium voltage system where you're not sure the customer's existing documentation is accurate.
whether they know how to verify field conditions rather than trust paperwork blindly
What experience do you have with UL891, UL1558, or UL508A standards, and how have they shaped a design you worked on.
specific regulatory knowledge relevant to switchgear certification, since it's called out as a plus
Situational
Say a customer's spec conflicts with NEC or NFPA requirements on a project you're designing. What do you do.
judgment on code compliance versus customer pressure, and whether they escalate correctly
You're on a startup commissioning site and the generator control system isn't behaving as designed. Walk me through how you troubleshoot it on site.
real-world troubleshooting method under time and travel pressure, not just theoretical knowledge
How do you handle a situation where you're juggling multiple project deadlines that suddenly shift and conflict with each other.
time management and prioritization under the deadline-driven, frequently changing schedule this job describes
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As published by Generac.
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