JobsGenerac

Systems Engineer-Engines

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Aug 3, 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 took an engine-driven product from initial requirements through to launch. What was your role in that process?

whether the candidate has actually owned a full product development cycle versus just contributing to pieces of one

Describe a time you had to convince manufacturing or a contract manufacturer to change a design for manufacturability reasons. How did you get buy-in?

real cross-functional influence skills, not just technical correctness

Tell me about a design decision where you had to weigh cost against reliability or safety. How did you make the call?

judgment on cost-benefit and risk analysis, a named responsibility in this role

Tell me about a time you mentored a less experienced engineer through a technical problem. What did that look like day to day?

whether the candidate can actually teach and support others, since mentoring is an explicit duty here

Tell me about a time you were juggling multiple projects at once and one of them needed unexpected attention. How did you keep the details straight across all of them?

capacity for detail-oriented, accurate work across parallel projects, a preferred qualification called out directly

Technical

Tell me about a project where you had to integrate an engine into an application. What were the main system-level tradeoffs between fuel, cooling, intake, and exhaust that you had to balance?

depth of hands-on engine integration knowledge across subsystems, not just familiarity with terms

What's your process for writing functional requirements for a new engine component, and how do you make sure those requirements actually get validated later?

whether the candidate has a disciplined systems engineering process or works ad hoc

How have you used CAD or CAE tools in your past work, and what was your role versus the designer's role in that process?

clarity on the level of hands-on modeling expected versus giving input to designers

What experience do you have with SAP or a similar ERP system in the context of engineering work, like managing BOMs or specs?

practical familiarity with the tools used to track parts and specifications in a manufacturing environment

Situational

Say you're validating a new engine design and the test results come back showing a reliability issue that would delay the launch by two months. How do you handle that conversation with the program team?

how the candidate balances schedule pressure against engineering integrity and communicates bad news

If you inherited a fitness-for-use test plan from another engineer and found gaps in it right before a milestone review, what would you do?

attention to detail under time pressure and willingness to flag problems rather than let them slide

How do you explain a technical engine issue to someone in marketing or service who doesn't have an engineering background?

ability to translate technical information across audiences, called out directly in the posting

If a supplier's component didn't meet the intake or cooling system spec you set, but swapping suppliers would blow the budget, what would you do?

how the candidate resolves conflicts between spec integrity, sourcing, and cost constraints in practice

Practice this interview out loud.

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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 Systems Engineer-Engines is responsible for providing engineering input to the product development projects assigned to him/her including interfacing with the cross functional team consisting of engineering, operations (industrial engineering, production, and material procurement), sourcing, quality, service, and marketing. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Specifies, gives input to design, validates, and brings new products to market.   • Specifies precise new product functional requirements; tests and integrates a variety of moderately complex components to produce final designs; and evaluates the design's overall effectiveness, cost (including cost/benefit analysis), reliability (risk analysis), and safety.   • Works with multiple engineering groups to design, develop, execute, and evaluates overall system fitness-for-use testing, product specifications and process validation plans for a variety of moderately complex products and/or components.   • Collaborates with internal manufacturing partners, contract manufacturers, designers and product specialists to optimize moderately complex designs for manufacturability.   • Gives input into CAD (Computer Aided Design) or CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) systems modeling for new designs.   • Supporting product development plans (schedule, product cost, meeting design inputs) • Acts as a resource to mentor and teach less experienced engineers. • Travel to other Generac facilities as necessary.   • Other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related discipline • 7+ years of relevant work experience Preferred Qualifications: • Ability to perform detail-oriented work with a high degree of accuracy on multiple projects • Engine design/development experience with a focus on application engineering • Experience in engine integration in an application • Ability to work cross functionally to ensure all aspects of engine requirements are met • Technical Skills to include knowledge of: fuel, control, intake, cooling, and exhaust systems • Demonstrated written communication and presentation skills • Ability to translate technical information to all audiences • Applies engineering knowledge and experience to improve products, services and processes • Experience with machine design • MS Excel, MS Word Previous experience with SAP or equivalent ERP Benefits : This position includes a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans; life, long-term disability, flexible spending, and health savings accounts, accrued paid time off, 8 paid Holidays, opportunity for overtime and 401(k) retirement benefits.   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 are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel.   "We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law." “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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