Electrical Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Electrical Project Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, with steady hiring activity concentrated in industrial automation, power infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing sectors at levels from entry-level to senior project lead. Chicago, Rockford, and the Quad Cities area account for the largest share of openings, anchored by employers like Exelon, Caterpillar, and Motorola Solutions. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois include power systems design, industrial controls, and large-scale commercial construction coordination. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 31+ Electrical Project Engineer jobs
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As an Electrical Project Design Lead, you will work in a project-team environment supporting the design, modification, and upgrade of new and existing power plant electrical systems. You will provide direction to design staff and collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering and design teams to develop physical and wiring designs, including:
- Project scheduling
- Single-line diagrams
- Point-to-point wiring diagrams
- Cable routing and schedules
- Conduit and support design
- Equipment layouts and mounting details
- You will oversee and review the production of electrical design drawings and review and incorporate vendor drawings into the overall project design.
- You may also have opportunities to accompany or lead field walkdowns and data-gathering activities at client facilities.
- Candidates must meet the requirements for unescorted access to a nuclear station.
Essential skills and experience:
- An associate degree in drafting, or a high school diploma and equivalent technical design experience
- 15–20 years of detailed electrical design experience, including cable management; single-line, relay, and metering diagrams; and medium-voltage and 480 V systems
- Familiarity with digital control systems
- Familiarity with Genesis Edison cable management software
- Extensive experience with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation, including working with varying client requirements for power plants and/or large-facility projects
- Thorough understanding of drafting and design practices and principles
- Ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with engineering and design teams across disciplines throughout the power plant design process
- Ability to represent Sargent & Lundy in client review meetings and discuss project schedules and deliverables
- Producing wiring diagrams and schematics for installers and electricians
- Assist engineers in defining initial design requirements
- Develop and communicate plans and details that accurately convey wiring, raceway, conduit, and other design requirements
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
-
As an Electrical Project Design Lead, you will work in a project-team environment supporting the design, modification, and upgrade of new and existing power plant electrical systems. You will provide direction to design staff and collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering and design teams to develop physical and wiring designs, including:
- Project scheduling
- Single-line diagrams
- Point-to-point wiring diagrams
- Cable routing and schedules
- Conduit and support design
- Equipment layouts and mounting details
- You will oversee and review the production of electrical design drawings and review and incorporate vendor drawings into the overall project design.
- You may also have opportunities to accompany or lead field walkdowns and data-gathering activities at client facilities.
- Candidates must meet the requirements for unescorted access to a nuclear station.
Essential skills and experience:
- An associate degree in drafting, or a high school diploma and equivalent technical design experience
- 15–20 years of detailed electrical design experience, including cable management; single-line, relay, and metering diagrams; and medium-voltage and 480 V systems
- Familiarity with digital control systems
- Familiarity with Genesis Edison cable management software
- Extensive experience with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation, including working with varying client requirements for power plants and/or large-facility projects
- Thorough understanding of drafting and design practices and principles
- Ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with engineering and design teams across disciplines throughout the power plant design process
- Ability to represent Sargent & Lundy in client review meetings and discuss project schedules and deliverables
- Producing wiring diagrams and schematics for installers and electricians
- Assist engineers in defining initial design requirements
- Develop and communicate plans and details that accurately convey wiring, raceway, conduit, and other design requirements
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
See All 31 Electrical Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsElectrical Project Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Electrical Project Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Construction & Real Estate
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in electrical project engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Illinois Professional Engineer license or eligibility to obtain one through IDFPR
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or closely related engineering discipline
- Experience managing electrical project scope, schedule, and budget from start to finish
- Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, or similar electrical design and drafting software
- Familiarity with NEC, NFPA 70, and Illinois-adopted electrical codes and standards
- Strong communication skills for coordinating with contractors, inspectors, and clients
Electrical Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a electrical project engineer in Illinois?
The standard path in Illinois begins with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, followed by gaining four years of progressive engineering experience under a licensed Professional Engineer. You then sit for the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam administered through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which issues the PE license required for many senior and lead project roles. Many Illinois employers accept EIT-registered candidates for earlier-career project positions while they complete their experience hours.
How much do electrical project engineers make in Illinois?
Electrical project engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $107,860 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $75,470 for the lowest 10% to over $164,290 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire electrical project engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring electrical project engineers in Illinois right now include Sargent & Lundy, Exyte, and Invenergy, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of utilities, industrial manufacturers, and large commercial construction firms means consistent year-round demand for project engineers at multiple experience levels.
Which Illinois cities have the most electrical project engineer jobs?
Chicago, Kankakee, and Oakbrook Terrace have the most electrical project engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago and its suburbs dominate due to the region's concentration of utility headquarters, large commercial construction projects, and industrial campuses, while cities like Rockford and Peoria draw openings from long-established manufacturing and heavy equipment employers.
Are there remote electrical project engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 80% of electrical project engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most of this work involves site visits, contractor coordination, and hands-on design reviews that require physical presence. The portions of the role most likely to be done remotely are documentation, drafting review, and project reporting.
How can I get hired as a electrical project engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate or junior engineer role at a large Illinois utility or industrial employer, where structured onboarding exists for candidates who hold an EIT registration through Illinois DFPR. Caterpillar and Exelon both run early-career engineering programs in Illinois that accept recent graduates. Lateral entry from roles like electrical designer, field technician, or construction inspector is also common. Building a portfolio of CAD drawings or controls work and pursuing the FE exam before graduation gives candidates a clear edge in Illinois interviews.
Where can I find and apply to electrical project engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to electrical project engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries and experience levels. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the employer.
See All 31 Electrical Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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