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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Overview

Open roles8
Top employerArcadis
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring3
Work type50% Remote
Top industryConstruction

Showing 5 of 8+ Substation Electrical Engineer jobs

GE Vernova
Senior Electrical Substation Design Project Engineering Manager 2
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GE Vernova
New 9h ago
Senior Electrical Substation Design Project Engineering Manager 2
GE Vernova
Oak Brook, Illinois
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$132k - $219k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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Sargent & Lundy
Substation Electrical Engineer Intern - Grid (Summer 2027)
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Sargent & Lundy
Added 5d ago
Substation Electrical Engineer Intern - Grid (Summer 2027)
Sargent & Lundy
Warrenville, Illinois
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Physical Therapy
$18 - $30/hr
Bachelor of Science
1,001-5,000

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Black & Veatch
Associate Electrical Engineer - Substation
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Black & Veatch
Added 6d ago
Associate Electrical Engineer - Substation
Black & Veatch
Chicago, Illinois
Account Management
Customer Service
Sales
Bachelor's degree in engineering
10,000+

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GE Vernova
Senior Electrical Substation Project Engineering Manager 2 - Remote US Option
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GE Vernova
Added 2mo ago
Senior Electrical Substation Project Engineering Manager 2 - Remote US Option
GE Vernova
Oak Brook, Illinois
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Project Management
$145k - $241k/yr
Remote (US)
Master's degree
10,000+

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Black & Veatch
Electrical Project Engineer - EHV Substation (765kV)
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Black & Veatch
Added 3mo ago
Electrical Project Engineer - EHV Substation (765kV)
Black & Veatch
Chicago, Illinois
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in engineering
10,000+

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See All 8 Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
5 jobs
Oak Brook
2 jobs
Warrenville
1 job

Substation Electrical Engineer Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Arcadis
Arcadis2 open roles
GE Vernova
GE Vernova2 open roles
Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Energy

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 Black & Veatch, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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, Oak Brook, and Warrenville 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 75% of substation electrical engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 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 8 Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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