Power Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Power Systems Engineer jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with demand concentrated in electric utility operations, grid modernization, and industrial manufacturing from entry-level design roles through senior transmission planning positions. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford are the state's primary hiring centers, anchored by major employers such as Exelon, Caterpillar, and ComEd. The most sought-after specializations in Illinois listings include protection and relay engineering, substation design, and SCADA integration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Career Area:
EngineeringJob Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
About Advanced Power Technologies:
Advanced Power Technologies (APT) defines and delivers Caterpillar’s next generation of power system technologies. The organization leads product strategy, long term technology roadmaps, and lifecycle leadership for advanced power, electrification, electronic controls, software, and energy solutions across the entire range of Power and Energy applications.
APT integrates hardware, software, and digital services to deliver scalable, reliable, and future‑ready power solutions. Partnering closely with product groups, engineering, and global delivery teams, APT balances near‑term business execution with long‑term technology leadership—enabling best in class electronics quality, fast response to market changes, differentiated customer value through vertical integration, improved uptime, and sustainable power systems across Caterpillar’s Power and Energy product portfolio.
Job Summary:
What You Will Do:
- Lead L3 electrification subsystem control programs for motors, generators, and DC/DC converters, ensuring alignment with product plans, technical requirements, and business priorities.
- Manage release content, schedules, budgets, and delivery commitments for assigned electrification subsystem programs.
- Coordinate cross-functional execution across controls, software, systems, components, product groups, validation, and program teams to deliver integrated subsystem solutions.
- Develop, review, and support release of controls and/or software content for electrification applications.
- Identify and manage program risks, technical issues, resource needs, and tradeoffs to maintain delivery commitments.
- Provide technical guidance and decision support to ensure L3 subsystem controls and software solutions meet performance, quality, safety, and reliability expectations.
- Develop controls or software for the programs that are being executed.
What You Will Have:
Communicating Complex Concepts: Knowledge of effective presentation tools and techniques to ensure clear understanding; ability to use summarization and simplification techniques to explain complex technical concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience.
Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
Conceptual Thinking: Knowledge of thinking and reasoning at a conceptual level; ability to identify the critical ideas and interdependencies among system elements that impact performance.
Embedded Systems: Knowledge of embedded systems and their applications; ability to develop embedded systems with varying levels of complexity to control the operations of the machine it is embedded within.
Requirements Analysis: Knowledge of tools, methods, and techniques of requirement analysis; ability to elicit, analyze and record required business functionality and non-functionality requirements to ensure the success of a system or software development project.
Education: Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
Top Candidates Will Also Have:
- Experience in embedded systems
- Knowledge or experience in electric drive systems
- Controls or software development experience
- MatLab / Simulink experience
- C programming language experience
Summary Pay Range:
$128,470.00 - $192,710.00Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
401(k) savings plans*
Health Savings Account (HSA)*
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
Health Lifestyle Programs*
Employee Assistance Program*
Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
Career Development*
Incentive bonus*
Disability benefits
Life Insurance
Parental leave
Adoption benefits
Tuition Reimbursement
- These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Relocation is available for this position. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
September 25, 2026 - October 9, 2026Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.
See All 13 Power Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Power Systems Engineer JobsPower Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Power Systems Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in power systems engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with a focus on power systems
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized in Illinois preferred for senior roles
- Experience with transmission or distribution system planning and analysis tools
- Proficiency in power system software such as ETAP, PSS/E, or PowerWorld
- Familiarity with NERC reliability standards and IEEE power engineering practices
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional project coordination
Power Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a power systems engineer in Illinois?
Most power systems engineer roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with coursework in power systems, circuits, or energy systems. For senior and consulting roles, Illinois follows the national Professional Engineer licensure path administered by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, accumulating qualifying experience, and then passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. Entry-level candidates can begin without a PE license and pursue it while working.
How much do power systems engineers make in Illinois?
Power systems engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $111,930 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $58,920 for the lowest 10% to over $168,770 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire power systems engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring power systems engineers in Illinois right now include Sargent & Lundy, Altorfer - CAT, and Eaton, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's large investor-owned utilities, industrial manufacturers, and engineering consulting firms are the most consistent sources of openings for this role in the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most power systems engineer jobs?
Chicago, Addison, and Batavia have the most power systems engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it serves as the headquarters hub for major utilities and engineering consultancies, while Peoria and Rockford draw openings through large industrial manufacturers and regional electric cooperatives that require dedicated power systems expertise on site.
Are there remote power systems engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical engineering fields, since much of power systems work involves site visits, substation inspections, and hands-on commissioning. About 86% of power systems engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in system planning, load flow modeling, and protection study work that can be done off site.
How can I get hired as a power systems engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or associate engineer programs at Illinois's large utilities and industrial employers, which regularly onboard candidates with a relevant electrical engineering degree and no professional experience. Exelon and ComEd both run structured early-career engineering programs, and regional engineering consultancies in the Chicago metro frequently hire entry-level engineers for substation and distribution projects. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before applying signals readiness and gives candidates a clear edge over peers who have not yet started the licensure process.
Where can I find and apply to power systems engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to power systems engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings for this role. Find the positions that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to each one.
See All 13 Power Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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