JobsGenerac

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Generac · Jefferson, WI

Posted Jun 29, 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 new product introduction you led from the design stage into full production. What was your role and what went wrong along the way?

whether they've actually owned an NPI end to end versus just supporting one

Tell me about a time you redesigned a line layout or process flow. What data did you use to justify the change and how did you get buy-in from the floor?

ability to back layout decisions with evidence rather than intuition, and to sell change to skeptical operators

Tell me about a continuous improvement initiative you drove that didn't get results at first. What did you change?

resilience and root-cause thinking versus abandoning ideas at the first setback

Describe a conflict you had with a shop floor supervisor or operator over a process change. How did you resolve it?

conflict resolution skill and respect for floor-level expertise

Tell me about a time you had to manage several competing priorities with shifting deadlines. How did you decide what to work on first?

prioritization and organizational skill under real production pressure

Tell me about a time you worked cross-functionally with sourcing, quality, or planning to solve a production problem. What made that collaboration work or not work?

cross-functional collaboration skill in a value-chain-wide role

Technical

How would you approach synchronizing material and information flow on a mixed model line where different SKUs have very different cycle times?

real understanding of line balancing and flow synchronization, not just lean buzzwords

Describe your hands-on experience with PLC programming. What kind of equipment have you programmed or debugged and how deep does that skill go?

whether PLC proficiency is a claimed skill or an actual practiced one

What lean tools do you rely on most day to day, and give me an example of one you applied to cut cost or waste on a line.

depth of lean knowledge versus name-dropping methodology

How do you use CAD tools like SolidWorks or AutoCAD in your engineering process, from concept to implementation on the floor?

practical fluency with the design tools versus surface familiarity

Situational

You're asked to move a process from high mix, low volume to high volume, low mix in six months. What changes in your approach to tooling, layout, and staffing?

whether they can adapt engineering strategy to volume and mix rather than applying one playbook everywhere

A supplier's equipment delivery for a new line is delayed by eight weeks and the launch date is fixed. What do you do?

how they triage schedule risk and communicate tradeoffs under pressure

If you noticed a process improvement that would help your line but conflicts with a corporate standard like GFS, how would you handle it?

whether they balance local optimization with enterprise-wide standardization

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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? Job Summary: The Manufacturing Engineer Sr is responsible for ongoing process improvement initiatives that deliver excellence across entire value chain.  This position develops and improves manufacturing processes and product quality by studying product and manufacturing methods, identifying areas of improvement, and working with manufacturing personnel to ensure plans are implemented. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Significant responsibility for area layouts, process definition, PLC programing; design/selection, justification, and implementation of equipment, programs, and tooling. • Contribute to the implementation of the Generac Fulfillment System (GFS) across the Order-to-Cash process (Plan, Source, Make, Deliver & Service). • Responsible for leading and coordinating the successful launch of New Product Introductions (NPI) within Operations. • Contribute to facility transformation, technology transfer and ongoing maintenance of mixed model lines or value streams.  • Ensure ongoing success of process improvement initiatives by implementing policies, procedures and process documentation. • 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. • Contribute to creation of innovative ideas to improve business results. • 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. Basic Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Industrial Technology  • 5+ years related experience in the Engineering function within a similar working environment; Additional Qualifications: • 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.  Great Reasons to work for Generac:  • Competitive Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401k and many more • Many employee activities  • Scheduled events throughout the year that allow our employees, both current and retirees, to gather together and enjoy their time with their families and co-workers • Pride! When a storm strikes, Generac employees always rise to the occasion. Each time a storm hits many employees volunteer their time with the customer support team or on the production line while others go right into storm-affected areas to repair generators • We believe in having fun. From minor celebrations to major events, our employees balance their work by building a strong culture of teamwork and collaboration through a variety of occasions, including our Fun Days.  • Every day is Jeans Day! Dress for your day. • Product loan and discount programs Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand. The employee frequently is required to use hands to manipulate objects, tools or controls; and talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to walk; stoop; crouch; bend and reach above shoulders. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds unassisted and up to 100 pounds with assistance, waist high, up to 10 feet away. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be working in the typical conditions of a manufacturing environment including seasonal variation in temperatures and occasional exposure to manufacturing fumes or by-products. The employee must comply with the assigned location PPE requirements including but not limited to safety glasses, hearing protection, appropriate gloves, clothing and shields for required tasks and closed toed or safety shoes as required by facility safety policies. “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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