JobsGenerac

Product Support Engineer

Generac · Beaver Dam, WI

Posted Sep 1, 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 were pulled onto the shop floor because a build was stopped by a defect. What did you do first, and how did you get the line moving again?

whether the candidate can triage under time pressure and separate a quick containment from a real fix

Tell me about an 8D you led from start to finish. What was the issue, how did you find the root cause, and what corrective actions actually stuck?

depth of hands-on experience with structured problem solving, not just familiarity with the acronym

Tell me about a time you had to get manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to agree on a corrective action when they had different priorities. How did you land on a decision?

cross-functional influence without formal authority, and whether they can drive consensus without stalling

Describe a design-for-reliability or DFM change you pushed for. What data convinced the team it was worth the disruption?

whether they can build a case for design change using evidence, not just intuition

Tell me about a time you had to stay calm while several people around you were escalating urgently and wanted an answer immediately.

composure and clear communication during high-pressure escalations, which the role explicitly demands

Technical

Say a supplier-driven change comes in that affects a BOM used across three product variants, some ETO and some CTO. How do you make sure every variant's BOM stays accurate through the release?

real understanding of configuration management across complex product structures, not just PLM tool familiarity

What's your experience with SAP or Windchill day to day? Give me an example of catching an error in a BOM or routing before it caused a production problem.

actual tool fluency versus resume-listed familiarity

How do you manage an ECN so it doesn't drag on for weeks, especially when it touches parts already in production or in the field?

grasp of end-to-end change process and urgency about lead time, which the posting calls out directly

How would you decide when a component nearing end of life needs a cannibalization plan versus a straight last-time buy?

practical grasp of material lifecycle management and excess and obsolete inventory tradeoffs

Have you worked with genset, controls, or C&I power equipment, and how familiar are you with UL or NEC requirements that would touch a design change?

domain-specific compliance knowledge relevant to Generac's product line

Situational

You get a report of a field failure that's driving warranty cost, but the plant's first-pass yield data doesn't show anything unusual. How would you figure out if this is a design issue, a build issue, or something else?

ability to connect field data, manufacturing data, and design records instead of guessing

Picture this: a plant is behind on SQD targets and traces it back to a drawing that doesn't match what's actually being built on the line. What do you do in the first day, and what do you do in the first month?

ability to distinguish immediate containment from the longer fix of aligning documentation to reality

If you inherited an escalation process that was slow and inconsistent across plants, what would you change first to speed up rapid response and root cause evaluation?

systems thinking about process design, not just individual firefighting skill

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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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