Electrical Engineering Intern Jobs in Illinois
Electrical Engineering Intern jobs in Illinois are consistently active, concentrated in power systems, semiconductor design, automotive electronics, and industrial automation across a manufacturing-heavy and infrastructure-rich state. Most openings cluster in the Chicago metro, Peoria, and Rockford, where employers like Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Argonne National Laboratory have deep internship pipelines. Power distribution, embedded systems, and PCB design are the specialties Illinois hiring managers most consistently request at the intern level. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 22+ Electrical Engineering Intern jobs
- Working on Plant Operations, Maintenance and /or Engineering projects which include optimization and improvement projects.
- Working on Plant Control Systems (PLCs and DCS) with oversight from system engineers.
- Working on Plant Power Systems (High Voltage, Medium Voltage, and Low Voltage) with oversight from system engineers.
- Work on Data Collection and Interpretation to improve System Functionality and Efficiency.
- Develop an understanding of electrical schematics, one-lines, connection drawings, and P&IDs.
- Develop a presentation describing your work to Plant Management to be presented at the end of your internship.
- Regular and reliable attendance required.
Supervisory Responsibilities
N/A
Education/Experience
- To be considered, an individual MUST be enrolled in a college program and pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering.
- Must be in good academic standing.
- MUST be available for a 12-13 week program beginning in Mid/Late-May to Early/Mid-August.
Certification/Licensure
N/A
Knowledge of
- Safety and health hazards associated with each job assignment.
- Basic understanding of control systems is desired.
- Basic understanding of power systems is desired.
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to clearly communicate with co-workers, supervisors and others.
- Ability to read and understand operating procedures.
- Ability to read and understand Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
- Ability to work unsupervised as required.
- Ability to enter confined spaces, climb ladders and wear respirators as needed.
- Ability to sit, stand, reach, stoop, and lift boxes weighing as much as 25 pounds.
- Proficiency in Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) is preferred.
The characteristics listed herein describe the work environment the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS. While performing the duties of this position, the employee:
- Works in an office environment, power plant or coal mine environment.
- Exposed to a quiet to moderately noisy environment primarily; very noisy and dirty environment occasionally.
- Exposed to industrial safety hazards occasionally.
Compensation and Benefits
At Prairie State, the base pay range we reasonably expect to pay for this role is $25.00 per hour for the Undergraduate level and $28.00 per hour for the Graduate level.
- Working on Plant Operations, Maintenance and /or Engineering projects which include optimization and improvement projects.
- Working on Plant Control Systems (PLCs and DCS) with oversight from system engineers.
- Working on Plant Power Systems (High Voltage, Medium Voltage, and Low Voltage) with oversight from system engineers.
- Work on Data Collection and Interpretation to improve System Functionality and Efficiency.
- Develop an understanding of electrical schematics, one-lines, connection drawings, and P&IDs.
- Develop a presentation describing your work to Plant Management to be presented at the end of your internship.
- Regular and reliable attendance required.
Supervisory Responsibilities
N/A
Education/Experience
- To be considered, an individual MUST be enrolled in a college program and pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering.
- Must be in good academic standing.
- MUST be available for a 12-13 week program beginning in Mid/Late-May to Early/Mid-August.
Certification/Licensure
N/A
Knowledge of
- Safety and health hazards associated with each job assignment.
- Basic understanding of control systems is desired.
- Basic understanding of power systems is desired.
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to clearly communicate with co-workers, supervisors and others.
- Ability to read and understand operating procedures.
- Ability to read and understand Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
- Ability to work unsupervised as required.
- Ability to enter confined spaces, climb ladders and wear respirators as needed.
- Ability to sit, stand, reach, stoop, and lift boxes weighing as much as 25 pounds.
- Proficiency in Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) is preferred.
The characteristics listed herein describe the work environment the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS. While performing the duties of this position, the employee:
- Works in an office environment, power plant or coal mine environment.
- Exposed to a quiet to moderately noisy environment primarily; very noisy and dirty environment occasionally.
- Exposed to industrial safety hazards occasionally.
Compensation and Benefits
At Prairie State, the base pay range we reasonably expect to pay for this role is $25.00 per hour for the Undergraduate level and $28.00 per hour for the Graduate level.
See All 22 Electrical Engineering Intern Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsElectrical Engineering Intern Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Electrical Engineering Intern Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
- Construction & Real Estate
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in electrical engineering intern jobs across Illinois.
- Current enrollment in an accredited electrical engineering or closely related undergraduate or graduate program
- Coursework in circuit analysis, electromagnetics, or signal processing relevant to the target role
- Proficiency with simulation or design tools such as MATLAB, LTspice, AutoCAD Electrical, or Altium Designer
- Basic understanding of power systems, embedded systems, or control theory depending on the specialization
- Ability to work on-site at an Illinois facility for the duration of the internship term
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for collaborating with engineering teams and documenting findings
Electrical Engineering Intern Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a electrical engineering intern in Illinois?
Electrical engineering internships in Illinois do not require a state-issued license, but candidates are expected to be actively enrolled in an ABET-accredited electrical engineering program at an Illinois university or an out-of-state school. Employers in Illinois typically recruit through university career fairs, departmental recruiting pipelines at schools like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern, and Illinois Institute of Technology, and through direct applications to corporate internship programs. A completed sophomore year with relevant lab coursework is the common minimum threshold.
Which companies hire electrical engineering interns in Illinois?
Employers hiring electrical engineering interns in Illinois right now include Shure, IMEG, and Progress Rail, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of defense contractors, industrial manufacturers, and national research laboratories means intern roles tend to be project-based with exposure to power systems, embedded firmware, or hardware design.
Which Illinois cities have the most electrical engineering intern jobs?
Chicago, Niles, and Darien account for the largest share of electrical engineering intern openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the highest volume through its dense cluster of corporate headquarters, consulting firms, and utilities, while Peoria reflects Caterpillar's sizable engineering presence and Rockford draws from its established aerospace and industrial manufacturing base.
Are there remote electrical engineering intern jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Electrical engineering intern work is fundamentally hands-on, involving lab testing, hardware assembly, and site visits that require physical presence. About 30% of electrical engineering intern openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be concentrated in simulation-heavy or software-adjacent roles such as power modeling or FPGA firmware development.
How can I get hired as a electrical engineering intern in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying through structured internship programs that are explicitly designed for students with limited hands-on experience, particularly those run by large Illinois employers like Exelon, Caterpillar, and Motorola Solutions, which recruit early-stage undergraduates. Completing a relevant personal or course project, such as a PCB design or a microcontroller prototype, substitutes for formal work history. Candidates who have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early or hold a relevant IEEE student membership often stand out in Illinois recruiting pools.
Where can I find and apply to electrical engineering intern jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to electrical engineering intern jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated in real time. Search the listings, identify the roles that match your program, specialization, and availability, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 22 Electrical Engineering Intern Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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