JobsGenerac

Senior Project Manager - NPD

Generac · Sussex, WI

Posted Jun 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

Apply at Generac

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 global new product development project you led from concept through launch. What was the product and what made it complex?

whether they have genuine end-to-end NPD ownership at the scale this role requires, not just a piece of a project

Tell me about a time you had to manage a project through a formal phase-gate process, like GDP milestones or design reviews. What happened when a gate review didn't go well?

real familiarity with structured development frameworks versus just knowing the terminology

Describe a project where cross-functional teams in engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain disagreed on the right path forward. How did you get alignment?

ability to drive consensus in a matrixed org without formal authority over the other functions

Tell me about the largest number of concurrent projects you've managed at once. How did you decide where to spend your attention each week?

capacity to genuinely juggle multiple large global programs versus claiming it on paper

What's an example of a cost reduction initiative you drove on an existing product, and how did you quantify the savings?

concrete experience with lifecycle cost optimization and ability to show measurable business impact

Tell me about a time a project you were leading was failing or badly off track. What did you do, and how did it turn out?

honesty about failure and their instinct for recovery versus covering it up or blaming others

How do you capture lessons learned at the end of a project, and can you give an example of a lesson that actually changed how a later project was run?

whether continuous improvement is a real practice for them or just a phrase they use

Technical

How would you approach a make-versus-buy decision for a key subsystem in an industrial power product, and what factors would you weigh?

depth of business and cost acumen behind sourcing decisions, not just process knowledge

How do you structure a project plan for a product that has to launch in multiple regions with different regulatory or market requirements?

practical experience handling global product releases, not just domestic launches

What experience do you have with industrial power systems or heavy equipment products specifically, and how is managing those different from managing consumer product launches?

whether their domain background actually maps onto industrial energy products, not generic consumer goods NPD

Situational

Say you're three months into a project and engineering tells you a critical component needs redesign that will blow the timeline by two months. Walk me through what you'd do in the first week.

how they triage risk, communicate bad news upward, and protect scope versus timeline versus cost

A key supplier for a global product launch tells you a critical part will be delayed by six weeks, and the customer launch date is fixed. What do you do?

contingency planning skills and comfort making tradeoff calls under pressure

If you had a senior engineering lead who kept missing intermediate deadlines but insisted the final date was safe, how would you handle that?

how they manage difficult stakeholders and hold people accountable without formal authority

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Generac from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

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? Overview The Senior Project Manager - NPD leads the planning and execution of complex, global product development initiatives supporting Generac’s Industrial Energy portfolio. This role is responsible for delivering high-impact projects tied to industrial power systems and energy solutions, including new product introductions, technology integration, and lifecycle product enhancements. This position partners closely with engineering, product management, operations, and supply chain teams to ensure successful execution of projects that meet customer expectations, cost targets, and business objectives within the Industrial Energy segment. Responsibilities • Lead end-to-end execution of New Product Development (NPD) projects within Generac’s Industrial Energy business, including planning, scheduling, and cross-functional coordination • Translate product strategy, technical requirements, and business needs into structured project plans and deliverables • Manage multiple large, complex, global projects, ensuring alignment to scope, cost, quality, and timeline commitments • Drive execution of new product introductions, cost reduction initiatives, and product lifecycle improvements for industrial energy systems • Lead cross-functional collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, service, and product management teams • Establish and maintain project governance using formal phase-gate processes (e.g., GDP milestones and design reviews) • Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks; lead contingency planning and issue resolution • Support key business decisions including sourcing strategies, make-vs-buy analysis, and cost optimisation across the product lifecycle • Drive continuous improvement across project execution, development processes, and operational efficiency within Industrial Energy programs • Capture and apply lessons learned to improve future project delivery and organisational best practices Minimum Qualification • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional experience • 10+ years of progressive experience in engineering, project management, or industrial equipment/product environments • 7+ years of project management experience in New Product Development with global cross functional teams and global product releases throughout the entire product life cycle   Preferred Qualification • Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering global product development or product launch initiatives • Strong track record of managing complex projects and meeting cost, timeline, and quality targets • Experience supporting industrial energy, power systems, or similar heavy equipment/product environments • Demonstrated experience delivering products across global markets and full product lifecycle stages • Expertise in structured development processes (e.g., phase-gate, NPI frameworks) • Strong financial and business acumen, including cost management and lifecycle optimisation • Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment in a matrixed, cross-functional environment • Experience leading large-scale, high-complexity programs within industrial or energy-focused product portfolios Great Reason s to work for Generac :   • Competitive Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision,   401k   and many more   • State-of-the-art   facility with an onsite gym, walking trails, café, free   parking   and 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   • Make a positive impact. Generac has always been community-minded and dedicated to giving back.   The company proudly   offers   a Volunteer Time Off program ,   inviting   team members to   participate   in   charitable volunteer opportunities on company time.   “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.”

Apply at Generac

Related jobs

New Product Sourcing Specialist - Purchasing

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Intern Engineering - Advanced Manufacturing

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Mechanical Engineer II

Generac · Sussex, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Material Handler - Weekend Shift

Generac · Whitewater, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Inside Sales Representative Residential

Generac · Pewaukee, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Industrial Engineer I

Generac · Beaver Dam, WI

Posted Sep 16 · Verified Sep 20