JobsGenerac

Product Support Designer

Generac · Sussex, WI

Posted Sep 3, 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 time you got called to the shop floor because a build was stopped by a defect. What did you do first, and how did you decide between a quick containment and chasing the real root cause right away?

whether the candidate can triage under pressure and knows the difference between a stopgap and a permanent fix

Tell me about an 8D you led from start to finish. What was the issue, and where did the process actually break down or get delayed?

real hands-on experience with structured problem solving versus just knowing the terminology

Tell me about a time a fix you rolled out to fix one issue accidentally created a problem somewhere else, like in service or supply chain.

awareness of cross-functional ripple effects and whether they own mistakes honestly

Describe a situation where you had to improve first-pass yield or reduce start-up issues on a line. What did you actually change?

whether they've driven measurable manufacturing improvement, not just monitored metrics

Tell me about a time you had to stay calm while several people were pushing you for an answer you didn't have yet.

composure and communication skill during high-pressure escalations

Technical

How do you keep a bill of materials accurate when a product has ETO, CTO, and SEQ variants all being built at once?

depth of real configuration management experience, not just familiarity with the terms

What's your process for running an ECN from the moment an issue is identified to when it's validated and released? Where have you seen ECNs get stuck?

understanding of the full change management lifecycle and where lead time typically gets lost

What's your experience with SAP or Windchill, or a similar PLM/ERP system, for managing BOMs and specs?

concrete comfort level with the specific systems this role runs on daily

Have you worked with diesel or natural gas gensets, or similar C&I power equipment? What compliance standards, like UL or NEC, did you have to design or troubleshoot around?

domain-specific familiarity that shortens the ramp-up time

Situational

Say a genset fails in the field and warranty claims start coming in faster than expected. How would you figure out if this is a design issue, a supplier issue, or a build issue, and who would you pull in first?

ability to structure an investigation across engineering, quality, and supply chain rather than guessing

Plant leadership wants a permanent corrective action closed out today, but you don't think the root cause has actually been confirmed yet. What do you do?

willingness to hold the line on engineering rigor against production pressure

How do you handle it when Operations, Supply Chain, and Product Development all want different things out of the same escalation?

skill at mediating competing priorities without stalling the fix

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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 Product Support Engineer is responsible for activities within the Product Support Engineering function, including support of existing product designs through root cause analysis, problem resolutions, cost reductions, product improvements, and lifecycle product support which is accomplished through process improvement, design modifications, or specification changes. This position is responsible for the engineering aspects related to the escalation process within Generac. This position works cross-functionally (Service, Operations, Supply Chain, and Product Development Engineering) in the company. This role develops and effectively implements the escalation process across all Generac businesses that ensure rapid response, accurate root cause evaluation, and implementation of engineering solutions to escalated issues. Responsibilities: • Provide daily technical support to Operations (line builds, start-up, test, PPAP/first articles, build issues), triaging and burning down shop-floor defects and barriers. Coordinate fast-turn fixes and interim containments, then drive permanent corrective actions. • Partner with plant leadership (manufacturing, quality, supply chain) to meet SQDRC targets; ensure bills of material, routings, and drawings reflect the current build standard for C&I products. • Material life cycle management including E&O, product cannibalization impacts. • Support Sustaining org: Contribute in 8D, root cause analysis (5 Why, Fishbone), interim (ICA) and permanent corrective actions (PCA), and reliability analyses to improve field performance and reduce rework/warranty. • Support configuration management for assigned products (ETO/CTO, SEQ) and ensure BOM accuracy across planning/production/service variants. Chair/drive the supplier-driven change.  Change Review Board inputs for your scope; manage ECNs from identification through validation and release. • Cross-functional collaboration. • Work hand in glove with Product Management, NPD/Systems Engineering, Compliance/Test, and Supply Chain to prevent recurrence, standardize parts/options, and mature design-for-reliability/DFM/AQPs across platforms. • People leadership & ways of working. • Collaborate well across plants and functions while maintaining urgency and calm under pressure. Use visual management, daily standups, and tiered escalation to speed decision-making. • Foster collaboration between engineering departments to identify and harvest new engineering concepts, technologies, techniques, standards and procedures. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field. • 5 years of engineering experience. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: • Strong configuration/BOM management on ETO/CTO/SEQ products; SAP/Windchill or equivalent PLM/ERP proficiency. • Track record improving factory throughput/FPY and reducing warranty via structured corrective action and design-for-reliability. • Strong ability to improve first-pass yield (FPY) and reduce start-up issue rates through proactive line support and continuous process improvement initiatives. • Skilled in managing Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) with a focus on minimizing lead time and maximizing first-time accuracy. Ensures traceability from issue identification through resolution and verification. • Applies structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D) to address top field quality issues. Capable of driving warranty cost reduction, improving Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), and preventing repeat issues. • Proficient in maintaining Bill of Materials (BOM) accuracy and ensuring specification conformance during gate reviews and production audits. Preferred Qualifications: • Demonstrated ownership of cross-functional problem solving (8D, FMEA linkages, verification/validation), ECN execution, and manufacturing support. • Experience with diesel/natural gas gensets, power systems, controls, or related C&I equipment; understanding of UL/NEC and applicable compliance standards. • Previous experience using SAP or equivalent ERP. 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 include are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus. “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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