Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Substation Electrical Engineer jobs in Illinois are actively in demand, concentrated in electric utility transmission and distribution, industrial power systems, and large-scale infrastructure projects, with openings at every level from entry-level design roles through senior project leads. The busiest hiring markets are Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria, where employers like ComEd, Ameren Illinois, and Sargent & Lundy maintain significant engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties are protective relay systems, high-voltage switchgear design, and SCADA integration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 10+ Substation Electrical Engineer jobs
Perform detailed design of new substation layouts; create design documents, technical specifications, drawings, and prepare design calculations for new substation projects including electrical plans, schematics, bills of materials, and equipment specifications. Continue to learn and grow, and have some fun doing it.
WHO WE ARE
We value knowledge and learning. We believe in the power of connection and collaboration and we seek to build relationships that mean something. We employ some of the best and brightest in the industry and we work hard to maintain a culture that our people can be proud of. The secret to our success is our ability to connect with clients to provide a first-class customer experience.
WORKING FOR PRIMERA
Our Utilities division is a talented team of experts working together to provide solutions that are vital to energizing our future. We provide full-service electrical, civil, and structural engineering services to support electric and gas utilities nationwide. We’re also fortunate to support wind farms and renewables; transmissions systems; and university and industrial facilities.
WHO YOU ARE
- You studied electrical engineering. A bachelor’s in electrical engineering is a must; even better if you have a preference for electrical power. Having or pursuing your EIT is required, and a MSEE is a plus.
- You know power. You’re equipped with knowledge of engineering standard practices, common specifications for overhead and underground work, and the real estate and permitting process. Likewise, you have a basic understanding of the power delivery/substation interface and associated requirements. You’re still relatively new to the industry, but you bring at least two years of related experience to the job.
- You are a people person. While the ability to work independently is important, you are skilled at interfacing and collaborating effectively with other team members. Your strong organization and communication skills will contribute to your success.
- You are proficient with business and engineering applications. Microsoft Office and AutoCAD proficiency are a must; knowledge of customer proprietary systems is a plus.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- You’ll work on substation design projects. You’ll prepare: transformer sizing and feeder loading calculations and drawings; operating single lines, equipment layouts, and wiring diagrams; cable pulling calculations; field surveys and system documentation; project specifications and enter them into Bill of Material systems such as Passport; project drawings in CAD or TED; as well as project exhibits.
- You’ll ensure adherence to client and industry standards. The details make a difference. You’ll apply our clients’ standards, guidelines, specifications, practices and procedures or appropriate industry standards in preparing design drawings. You’ll also coordinate design activities to ensure installation and operations will comply with all specifications, codes, and client requirements too.
- You’ll keep things organized. You’ll be responsible for project CAD coordination and maintain project documentation for things like calculations, project filings, etc.
- You’ll perform peer reviews with some oversight and support from your supervisor.
- You’ll connect with people. You’ll regularly communicate and coordinate project activities with internal team members and interface with clients with the goal of building lasting relationships.
- You’ll enjoy what you do. You’ll work with great people, learn, grow and have a good time doing it.
SOME OF WHAT YOU’LL ENJOY
- An excellent benefits package including 401K match, gym and transit subsidies, continuing education reimbursement and much more
- Flexible work scheduling in a fast-growing company
- Colleagues that appreciate differences in people, perspectives, cultures, and ideas
- The fruits of our employee-led committees focused on offering engaging social, wellness and community service activities all year long
For more information about Primera please visit our website: PrimeraEng.com.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Primera is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. Primera’s practices and employment decisions, including those regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation, shall not be based on any person’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, disability, physical handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship status or other protected group as defined by law.
Perform detailed design of new substation layouts; create design documents, technical specifications, drawings, and prepare design calculations for new substation projects including electrical plans, schematics, bills of materials, and equipment specifications. Continue to learn and grow, and have some fun doing it.
WHO WE ARE
We value knowledge and learning. We believe in the power of connection and collaboration and we seek to build relationships that mean something. We employ some of the best and brightest in the industry and we work hard to maintain a culture that our people can be proud of. The secret to our success is our ability to connect with clients to provide a first-class customer experience.
WORKING FOR PRIMERA
Our Utilities division is a talented team of experts working together to provide solutions that are vital to energizing our future. We provide full-service electrical, civil, and structural engineering services to support electric and gas utilities nationwide. We’re also fortunate to support wind farms and renewables; transmissions systems; and university and industrial facilities.
WHO YOU ARE
- You studied electrical engineering. A bachelor’s in electrical engineering is a must; even better if you have a preference for electrical power. Having or pursuing your EIT is required, and a MSEE is a plus.
- You know power. You’re equipped with knowledge of engineering standard practices, common specifications for overhead and underground work, and the real estate and permitting process. Likewise, you have a basic understanding of the power delivery/substation interface and associated requirements. You’re still relatively new to the industry, but you bring at least two years of related experience to the job.
- You are a people person. While the ability to work independently is important, you are skilled at interfacing and collaborating effectively with other team members. Your strong organization and communication skills will contribute to your success.
- You are proficient with business and engineering applications. Microsoft Office and AutoCAD proficiency are a must; knowledge of customer proprietary systems is a plus.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- You’ll work on substation design projects. You’ll prepare: transformer sizing and feeder loading calculations and drawings; operating single lines, equipment layouts, and wiring diagrams; cable pulling calculations; field surveys and system documentation; project specifications and enter them into Bill of Material systems such as Passport; project drawings in CAD or TED; as well as project exhibits.
- You’ll ensure adherence to client and industry standards. The details make a difference. You’ll apply our clients’ standards, guidelines, specifications, practices and procedures or appropriate industry standards in preparing design drawings. You’ll also coordinate design activities to ensure installation and operations will comply with all specifications, codes, and client requirements too.
- You’ll keep things organized. You’ll be responsible for project CAD coordination and maintain project documentation for things like calculations, project filings, etc.
- You’ll perform peer reviews with some oversight and support from your supervisor.
- You’ll connect with people. You’ll regularly communicate and coordinate project activities with internal team members and interface with clients with the goal of building lasting relationships.
- You’ll enjoy what you do. You’ll work with great people, learn, grow and have a good time doing it.
SOME OF WHAT YOU’LL ENJOY
- An excellent benefits package including 401K match, gym and transit subsidies, continuing education reimbursement and much more
- Flexible work scheduling in a fast-growing company
- Colleagues that appreciate differences in people, perspectives, cultures, and ideas
- The fruits of our employee-led committees focused on offering engaging social, wellness and community service activities all year long
For more information about Primera please visit our website: PrimeraEng.com.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Primera is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. Primera’s practices and employment decisions, including those regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation, shall not be based on any person’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, disability, physical handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship status or other protected group as defined by law.
See All 10 Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsSubstation Electrical Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Substation Electrical Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Manufacturing
- Construction & Real Estate
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in substation electrical engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Illinois Professional Engineer license or eligibility for PE licensure through ILPELS
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- Experience with substation design standards including IEEE and NESC
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, ETAP, or similar power system modeling software
- Familiarity with protective relay coordination and high-voltage switchgear
- Ability to work on-site at active substations and travel to project locations
Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a substation electrical engineer in Illinois?
The standard path starts with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program, followed by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and gaining four years of progressive experience before applying for a Professional Engineer license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Most Illinois utilities and engineering firms require or strongly prefer a licensed PE for lead engineering roles, while entry-level positions typically accept candidates who are EIT-certified and working toward full licensure.
How much do substation electrical engineers make in Illinois?
Substation electrical 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 substation electrical engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring substation electrical engineers in Illinois right now include Arcadis, GE Vernova, and AECOM, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's combination of large investor-owned utilities and major power engineering consultancies means openings appear across both direct utility employers and firms that serve clients statewide.
Which Illinois cities have the most substation electrical engineer jobs?
Chicago, Oakbrook Terrace, and Downers Grove have the most substation electrical engineer openings in Illinois. The Chicago metro dominates because ComEd's transmission and distribution network is headquartered there and draws a large cluster of supporting engineering consultancies, while Rockford and Peoria reflect Ameren Illinois infrastructure projects and the heavy industrial base that generates its own substation engineering demand.
Are there remote substation electrical engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Substation engineering is inherently field-intensive, requiring site visits, equipment inspections, and hands-on commissioning work that can't be done remotely. About 80% of substation electrical engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those arrangements typically apply only to the design, drafting, and project coordination portions of the role.
How can I get hired as a substation electrical engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is applying directly to utilities and large power engineering consultancies for new-graduate or engineer-in-training roles. ComEd and Ameren Illinois both run structured early-career programs that rotate new engineers through transmission planning, substation design, and field operations. Candidates with AutoCAD drafting experience or internships at Illinois utilities hold a clear edge, and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before applying signals readiness to employers who require eventual PE licensure.
Where can I find and apply to substation electrical engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to substation electrical engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across utilities, engineering consultancies, and industrial employers. Find the roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each one.
See All 10 Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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