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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The Project Engineering Manager leads and coordinates the entire substation design and is accountable for their performance. The PEM performs detailed quality reviews, provides technical direction, and coordinates with the Project Manager for schedule and budget. The Portfolio Engineering Manager role is a hands-on role that may include detailed project design work.
Job Description
Essential Responsibilities:
The Senior Electrical Substation Project Engineer Manager is responsible for the full scope of HV/EHV substation design, serving as a technical leader across engineering projects.
Lead and coordinate all technical aspects of AC power substation projects. Also able to self-perform the design.
Serve as the primary technical lead, responsible for scheduling, compliance to standards and specifications, value engineering, design review planning, and ensuring quality assurance and control.
Develop and oversee key design deliverables, including:
Power single-line diagrams
General substation arrangement drawings (plan & substation layout, elevation, grounding, conduit/trench, cable routing, detail drawings and control buildings layouts)
High-voltage bus, structures, equipment, and detailed arrangements
Act as the single point of contact for all technical matters between customers, vendors, project managers, and engineering teams.
Accountable for directing and supporting engineers and designers to meet technical specifications, budget constraints, and project timelines. This includes sub-contracted resources.
Drive cross-discipline coordination to deliver fully integrated substation solutions.
Review and contribute to proposal deliverables, including:
Conceptual engineering
Proposal documentation (e.g., BOMs, technical specifications)
Sourcing support, vendor quotation evaluation, and technical clarifications & assumptions
Lead preparation of high-voltage equipment specifications and contractor work scopes; support vendor engagement and equipment selection. May need to lead a sub-contracted design work scope.
Assist the manager in ensuring team productivity and billable utilization.
Ensure all engineering outputs meet customer CTQs (Critical to Quality), and are delivered on time and within budget.
Support commissioning and interface efforts between customers and project stakeholders.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university
Minimum of 12 years of experience in industrial or utility High Voltage (+138kV) substation design, or a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering with +10 years of relevant experience
Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% (including international), in compliance with company travel and tax policies
Desired Characteristics:
Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the U.S. in good standing with ability to get licensure in other states. Willing to review and seal drawings under their supervision.
Experience with EHV substation design standards
Proven expertise in:
Transmission & Distribution substation engineering (utility and renewable energy)
Primary (outdoor) substation design, calculations, and electrical protection
Industrial power system design (12.5 kV and above)
Proficient in key design calculations including:
Battery sizing, DC system design and AC auxiliary power
Power transformer and circuit breaker selection
Conductor sizing and application
Grounding, lightning protection, and insulation coordination
Knowledge of IEEE, ANSI, NEC, and NESC standards; able to develop complete engineering packages in the absence of detailed customer specifications
Field-testing and commissioning experience, with strong emphasis on safety
Strong troubleshooting skills—both electrical and mechanical
Excellent customer-facing communication and commercial awareness (e.g., change orders, project delivery)
Proficiency in AutoCAD/MicroStation and design automation tools
#Power
#Substation
#High Voltage HV
#PE
We deliver integrated project solutions to enable large scale electrification and support our customer needs.
GE Vernova offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Vernova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
GE Vernova will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).
Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes
For candidates applying to a U.S. based position, the pay range for this position is between $131,700.00 and $219,300.00. The Company pays a geographic differential of 110%, 120% or 130% of salary in certain areas. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set.
Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus.
This posting is expected to remain open for at least seven days after it was posted on August 12, 2026.
Available benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to Health Coach from GE Vernova, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability benefits, life insurance, 12 paid holidays, and permissive time off.
GE Vernova Inc. or its affiliates (collectively or individually, “GE Vernova”) sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs GE Vernova reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a GE Vernova welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.
See All 8 Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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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
- 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.
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