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 hiring2
Work type43% Remote
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 8+ Substation Electrical Engineer jobs

Black & Veatch
Electrical Project Engineer - EHV Substation (765kV)
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Black & Veatch
Added 3w ago
Electrical Project Engineer - EHV Substation (765kV)
Black & Veatch
Chicago, Illinois
Business Development
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in engineering
10,000+

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AECOM
Lead Substation Electrical Engineer
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AECOM
Added 3w ago
Lead Substation Electrical Engineer
AECOM
Chicago, Illinois
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$140k - $190k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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Arcadis
Principal Substation Electrical Engineer
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Arcadis
Added 1mo ago
Principal Substation Electrical Engineer
Arcadis
Illinois
Business Operations
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
$123k - $221k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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David Mason & Associates
Substation Design Electrical Engineer - P&C
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David Mason & Associates
Added 1mo ago
Substation Design Electrical Engineer - P&C
David Mason & Associates
Chicago, Illinois
Customer Service & Support
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
$100k - $150k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
51-200

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GE Vernova
Senior Electrical Substation Design Project Engineering Manager 3
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GE Vernova
Added 1mo ago
Senior Electrical Substation Design Project Engineering Manager 3
GE Vernova
Oak Brook, Illinois
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$120k - $208k/yr
Remote (US)
Master's degree
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
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
AECOM
AECOM1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • 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 September 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, Illinois, and Oak Brook 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 86% of substation electrical engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 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.

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