JobsGenerac

Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Fabrication

Generac · Eagle, WI

Posted May 18, 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 sheet metal fabrication process you improved from the ground up. What was the starting OEE and what did you get it to?

whether the candidate has real hands-on experience driving measurable OEE improvement, not just talking about it in theory

Tell me about a time design engineering handed you a part that was hard to manufacture. How did you push back and what changed in the design?

experience actually influencing DFM decisions with design engineers, not just flagging issues after the fact

Describe a time you introduced a new process or piece of tooling on the shop floor and ran into resistance from operators. What did you do?

ability to get buy-in from hourly staff, since implementation depends on frontline cooperation

Tell me about a New Product Introduction you supported that had sheet metal components. What DFM issues came up and how early were you brought in?

whether they get pulled into NPI early enough to actually shape manufacturability, or just inherit problems

Tell me about a project where your timeline or priorities shifted midstream. How did you keep the team and stakeholders aligned?

resilience and communication skill when managing shifting deadlines, which the posting flags as a requirement

Technical

What's your experience with Amada or Salvagnini equipment specifically, and how did that differ from other machines you've worked with?

hands-on familiarity with the exact equipment brands this plant runs, versus generic fabrication knowledge

How would you determine the true capacity of a press brake or laser cutting cell that's currently running below its rated output?

ability to do real capacity analysis rather than relying on nameplate specs or guesswork

What CAD or CAM software have you used to program sheet metal equipment, and how comfortable are you generating nest programs or brake sequences yourself versus relying on programmers?

depth of hands-on CAD/CAM skill versus supervisory-only exposure

What lean tools have you actually applied on a fabrication floor, and can you give an example where one didn't work as expected?

honest, specific lean experience versus buzzword familiarity

Situational

Say you're bringing in a new turret punch or laser cutting machine to replace aging equipment. Walk me through how you'd plan the acquisition through to hitting production throughput targets.

whether they can run a capital equipment project end to end, including the messy ramp-up period

Tell me about a time you had to balance a high mix, low volume order alongside a high volume, low mix run in the same fabrication area. How did you sequence it?

comfort operating in mixed production environments, which is called out directly in the posting

If you found that material and information weren't flowing well between two work centers in the fabrication value stream, causing bottlenecks, how would you diagnose the root cause?

systems thinking about flow and synchronization, not just fixing one machine at a time

How do you typically divide your time between office-based process design work and time actually standing on the shop floor with operators and welders?

whether the candidate will actually be present on the floor or default to a desk-bound engineering style

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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? We are looking for a Manufacturing Engineer III to support our team on-site in Eagle, WI! The Senior Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for implementation of innovative technology and processes solutions that enhance Generac’s fabrication and paint capabilities. They will be responsible for partnering with design engineering to improve DFM in fabrication and welding, implementing robust OEE improvement activities, determining equipment capacities, optimizing production, and working with manufacturing personnel to ensure plans are implemented. Responsibilities: • Significant responsibility for area layouts, process definition, design/selection, justification, and implementation of equipment, programs, and tooling in support of capacity and continuous improvement projects; • Responsible for supporting the successful inclusion of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) in New Product Introductions (NPI) that have sheet metal components; • Contribute to facility transformation, technology transfer and ongoing maintenance of sheet metal fabrication value streams; • Ensure ongoing success of process improvement initiatives by implementing policies, procedures and process documentation that support sheet metal fabrication; • Implement demand driven principles and strategies that supports operational excellence and long range plans (Flexibility, Speed & Responsiveness); • Ensure product, material, and information streams flow and are synchronized to produce maximum efficiencies and lowest cost of operation in the sheet metal fabrication areas; • Contribute to creation of innovative ideas to improve business results, specifically in the sheet metal fabrication areas; • Deploy standard Generac tools, methodologies, standards, practices and processes; • Implement objectives to include continuous improvement initiatives to achieve customer satisfaction and fulfillment needs; • Work closely with shop floor personnel to promote ongoing Continuous Improvement of manufacturing methods, systems and controls; • Deploy standard Generac tools, methodologies, standards, practices and processes; • Implement objectives to include continuous improvement initiatives to achieve customer satisfaction and fulfillment needs; • Work closely with shop floor personnel to promote ongoing Continuous Improvement of manufacturing methods, systems and controls. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or equivalent technical degree; • 5+ years related experience in the Engineering function within a similar working environment; Preferred Qualifications: • 10+ years experience in Manufacturing Engineering function directly supporting soft tooled sheet metal fabrication processes, specifically turret punching, laser cutting, press brakes, MIG welding. • Manufacturing Engineering experience with Amada and Salvagnini fabrication equipment; • Experienced project manager in the acquisition and implementation of new machine tools from start-up to reaching the desired production throughput. • Experience with CAD/CAM software associated with sheet metal fabrication equipment • Proficiency in CAD (AutoCAD, Solid Works and/or ProE); • Excellent organizational, written and oral communication skills; • Knowledge of lean principles and process improvements; • Diverse skills and experience leading projects; • Experience collaborating cross-functionally to achieve desired results; • Experience operating in high mix, low volume and high volume, low mix production environments; • Demonstrated skills in problem solving and conflict resolution; • Proven track record of successfully managing shifting deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment. 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. Occasional travel.

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