AI Application Engineer

Generac Power Systems; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Generac Power Systems in Wisconsin is seeking an AI Applications Engineer to design, develop, and deploy scalable AI/ML solutions that accelerate digital transformation across manufacturing operations.

You will translate operational challenges into deployable AI solutions, build data pipelines, and collaborate with Operations and IT to deliver value on the shop floor. Travel up to 25% locally is possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, data science, or related field.
• 5 years in manufacturing/OT environments, PLC, SCADA, MES exposure.
• 2 years of AI/ML development and deployment.
• Experience with structured and unstructured data.
• Experience building and deploying AI-based vision systems.
• Strong Python and ML framework experience.
• Ability to bridge technical and business domains.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, and deploy ML/AI models with production readiness.
• Develop AI solutions for shop floor use cases like predictive maintenance and quality inspection.
• Develop data pipelines and integrate with enterprise systems.
• Partner with Operations and IT to define use cases and ensure adoption.
• Monitor model performance and ensure governance.
• Document solutions and drive reusability across sites.

Skills

Python

ETL pipelines

Model deployment

Industrial systems/IoT data

Systems thinking

Cross-functional communication

Business-technical translation

Operations collaboration

Computer vision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, data science, or related field

Master’s Degree

Tools

Docker

OpenCV

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

MES integrations

Job description

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 AI Applications Engineer will design, develop, and deploy scalable AI/ML solutions that accelerate digital transformation across manufacturing operations. This role will focus on translating operational challenges into deployable AI solutions—integrating operations platforms to enable smarter decision‑making, automation, and predictive insights. This position plays a critical role in building the “Digital Factory + AI” capability stack.

This position could include up to 25% travel locally.

Major Responsibilities:

AI Solution Development & Deployment

• Design, build, test, and deploy machine learning and AI models, including productionizing solutions and maintaining model performance over time.

Manufacturing (Operations) Use Case Delivery

• Develop and support AI solutions for shop floor applications such as predictive maintenance, quality inspection, yield optimization, and throughput improvement.

Data Engineering & Platform Integration

• Develop data pipelines, integrate with enterprise systems, and ensure scalable, reusable AI and data architecture.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Business Translation

• Partner with Operations and IT teams to define use cases, translate business problems into AI solutions, and ensure adoption. Including build vs. buy analysis.

Continuous Improvement, Governance & Documentation

• Monitor model performance, ensure data/model governance, document solutions, and drive reusability and standardization across sites/functions.

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, data science, or related field

Work Experience

• Experience working with structured and unstructured data
• Experience building and deploying AI based vision systems
• 5 years in manufacturing / OT environments, PLC, SCADA, MES exposure
• 2 years of experience in AI/ML development and deployment

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Python (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit‑learn)
• Data engineering and ETL pipelines
• Model deployment (APIs, microservices, Docker, etc.)
• Understanding of industrial systems, manufacturing processes, or IoT data
• Strong problem‑solving and systems thinking mindset
• Ability to bridge technical and business domains
• Execution‑focused with a bias toward deployment (not just modeling)
• Ability to work across operations, engineering, and service functions
• Ability to demonstrate clear communication with both technical teams and leadership

Preferred Job Requirements

Education

• Master’s Degree

Work Experience

• Experience in discrete manufacturing environments
• Experience working in digital factory or Industry 4.0 initiatives
• Familiarity with MES, PLM, and ERP integrations (SAP, Tulip, Windchill, etc.)

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Experience with Computer vision (OpenCV, vision models
• Time‑series analysis (sensor, telemetry data)
• Edge AI deployment

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.