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Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Generac · East Peoria, IL · $100,300–$160,500 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 31, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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.

About your past

Walk me through a project where you took a set of specs and pricing notes from sales and had to turn that into a full mechanical design. How did you handle the gray areas?

What they are checking: whether they can translate ambiguous commercial input into engineering scope without constant hand-holding

Tell me about a time your design schedule was at risk because parts or research took longer than expected. What did you do?

What they are checking: ability to manage schedule pressure and material lead times against a fixed production build date

Tell me about a time you disagreed with an electrical engineer over switchgear or cabling layout. How did you resolve it?

What they are checking: cross-discipline collaboration skill and whether they can hold ground respectfully

Tell me about a time you had to explain a technical design decision to someone without an engineering background, whether that was sales, production, or a customer.

What they are checking: communication skill across all levels, which the posting explicitly calls out

What would you do

Say a shop write-up you're reviewing has the production sequence out of order and it would create a rework loop. What do you do next?

What they are checking: practical shop-floor judgment and whether they understand fabrication flow, not just CAD

A customer's expectations don't quite match what the sales write-up describes, and you catch it midway through design. What's your move?

What they are checking: proactive communication and willingness to flag problems before they become costly

You're training a junior design engineer who keeps making the same mistake in their drawings. How do you handle that?

What they are checking: mentoring approach and patience, since the role includes supervising and training others

About the work

How do you approach checking someone else's drawing package before it goes to production? What are you actually looking for line by line?

What they are checking: rigor and specificity in design review, since this role reviews other engineers' work

Describe your experience building complex 3D models and full 2D drawing sets in SolidWorks or Creo. What's the most complicated assembly you've modeled?

What they are checking: depth of hands-on CAD skill versus surface familiarity

What do you know about diesel and natural gas engine-generator sets, and where has that knowledge actually shown up in a design decision you made?

What they are checking: real industry depth versus generic mechanical engineering background

What's your experience with sheet metal design, weld processes like MIG, TIG, or stick, and structural or wind load calculations?

What they are checking: whether the stated preferred qualifications are real strengths or just resume keywords

Have you supported NRTL certification testing, like UL, Intertek, or TÜV? Walk me through what that involved.

What they are checking: exposure to compliance testing that affects design decisions and documentation

Have you worked with a PLM system like Arena or Windchill, or been involved in transferring a new product to a new supplier? What went wrong and what went right?

What they are checking: experience with product lifecycle management and new product introduction realities

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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 • Receive, read and interpret project write-ups and apply the appropriate engineering terms, methodology and clarifications, including schedule projections, manpower needs and material requirements. Assure that all applicable industry and company compliance code requirements are met. • Research appropriate database or other resources to determine if similar projects have been completed and contain information that can be applied to current needs. • Prepare and create all necessary machinery drawings, plans or prints, including shop and supplier fabrication drawings, composite drawings or others, using established engineering practice considerations and usual company guidelines and processes. • Prepare, issue and maintain required documentation. • Monitor project through completion, providing correction, modification or assistance to other company departments as needed or directed. • Supervise and review design engineers’ drawings and documentation. Essential Duties and Responsibilities • Complete project design on time and stay within estimated hours and material costs • Research and order parts on time • Start designing early to complete before production build date • Pull from existing applicable drawings • Monitor project through completion • Provide practical, functional and acceptable equipment designs • Read and interpret specifications, write ups, pricing and correspondence • Discuss unresolved engineering questions with sales for clarification • Make sure the design is what the customer is expecting • Review other engineers drawing packages before production release • Provide feedback to other engineers regarding necessary changes • Check drawings for accuracy of dimensions, parts, functionality and notes to explain details to production and weld information • Check shop write up for accuracy and sequence of production flow • Perform calculations and analysis • Use spreadsheets, calculator and other software applications to perform calculations and analysis • Provide assistance and training to other design engineers and detailers • Answer questions and explain to other engineers how to obtain the information • Provide technical assistance to production and test • Answer questions and provide support during production • Answer questions and provide support during testing • Provide technical assistance to sales • Provide composite drawings during quoting stage when needed • Answer questions and provide technical support for quotes • Provide submittal and approval drawings when needed • Coordinate with electrical engineer regarding switchgear and cabling • Discuss design with electrical engineer for clarification NOTE: This job description is not all-inclusive and other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as necessary. In keeping with our corporate culture, all employees are expected to do “whatever it takes” to get the job done. Qualifications Education and Experience • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or other related Engineering degree specialization in structural sheet metal and wind load calculations a definite plus. • Minimum 5 years of related work experience • Experience creating and modifying complex 3D models and complete 2D drawing sets in Solidworks or Creo Parametric • Strong background in electrical power generation with a thorough knowledge of the engine/generator set industry. Preferred Qualifications: • Experience with sheet metal design and manufacturing • Experience with Adobe Illustrator and graphic design • Experience supporting NRTL certification testing (e.g. UL, Intertek, TUV, etc.) • Experience with new product introductions and technical transfer to new suppliers • Experience with Arena or Windchill PLM • Experience in the data center industry a plus. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Above average computer literacy with the latest version of AutoCAD and/or ProE and/or SolidWorks experience desired. Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite. • General knowledge of diesel and natural gas fueled engines. • Familiarity with weld processes, MIG, TIG, and Stick. • Above average ability to communicate verbally and in writing at all levels within the company. • Multi-task oriented with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. • Ability to exercise independent judgement in the performance of duties. • Willingness to travel, including out of the country, if necessary. • Ability to work as part of a team and with a high degree of enthusiasm and commitment. Position Demands Physical Demands (essential functions) • Sit for long periods of time, talking, seeing, primarily sedentary work in an office with desk with chair, long periods of use of computer mouse and long periods of looking at monitors and drawings. • It is desirable if you are able to climb up onto and down from equipment and ladders as necessary. Work Environment • Office • Shop Generac is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role based in Illinois is $100,300 - $160,500 USD. This compensation will ultimately be in line with the location in which the position is filled. Final compensation for this role will be determined by various factors such as a candidate's relevant work experience, skills, certifications and geographic location. This role is eligible for variable compensation including short-term and long-term incentives. “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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