Job Title: Electrical EngineerJob Description
This role focuses on performing electrical engineering and design for major projects and multiple moderately sized projects with complex designs in power generation, industrial, and process environments. You will plan and schedule engineering activities, support project leads with budgets, and monitor progress, schedule, and performance against budget. The position offers exposure to the full EPC lifecycle, from engineering and procurement through construction, commissioning, and field execution, while providing strong opportunities for technical development and career growth into a lead engineer role.
Responsibilities
Perform detailed electrical engineering and design for major projects and multiple moderately sized projects with complex and challenging designs.
Plan and schedule assigned electrical engineering and design activities to align with project milestones and overall project plans.
Support project leads in developing engineering budgets, including estimating hours, materials, and other resources required for electrical work.
Monitor electrical engineering progress, schedule adherence, and budget performance, and report any variances or risks to project leads.
Help lead and coordinate teams of electrical engineers and designers, providing guidance, technical direction, and support as needed.
Coordinate electrical engineering activities with other disciplines, including mechanical, structural, civil, instrumentation and controls, and other engineering teams.
Review engineering drawings, schematics, and project documents for technical accuracy, quality, code compliance, and alignment with project requirements.
Identify electrical interfaces and requirements associated with existing facilities and retrofit projects, ensuring compatibility and constructability.
Participate in constructability and design reviews to improve design quality, reduce risks, and support efficient construction and commissioning.
Design and support power distribution systems, including one-line and three-line diagrams, grounding systems, raceways, transformers, switchgear, and motor control centers (MCCs).
Contribute to relay coordination studies and the application of large electrical equipment in accordance with applicable codes and standards.
Engage with project leads, project managers, construction teams, and senior leadership, and participate in client meetings to represent the electrical engineering discipline.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from a four-year ABET-accredited university.
5+ years of electrical engineering design experience within power generation and/or industrial projects.
Strong knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Working knowledge of IEEE/ANSI and NEMA standards.
Experience designing and specifying medium-voltage (MV) and low-voltage (LV) equipment and cables.
Ability to independently handle complex electrical engineering assignments with minimal supervision.
Proficiency in electrical design using tools such as AutoCAD for drawings and schematics.
Experience with electrical design elements such as schematics, power distribution, one-line and three-line diagrams, grounding, raceways, transformers, switchgear, and MCCs.
Capability to coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams and support multiple concurrent projects.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
5 to 10+ years of power generation or heavy industrial electrical design experience, with the ability to operate independently and help lead designers and junior engineers.
Professional Engineer (PE) license, which will help distinguish candidates beyond the minimum requirements.
Experience on EPC projects, including exposure to engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and field execution.
Experience using ETAP for power system studies and analysis.
Background in relay coordination and large electrical equipment application.
Previous leadership responsibilities, such as mentoring junior engineers, leading design teams, or taking ownership of project deliverables.
Strong interest in career growth into a Lead Electrical Engineer role with increasing responsibility for projects, budgets, engineers, and designers.
Comfort participating in client meetings and working directly with project leads, project managers, construction teams, and senior leadership.
Work Environment
The role supports complex electrical design and engineering projects primarily within power generation, industrial, and process facilities. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical, structural, civil, and instrumentation and controls disciplines, and you will be involved across the EPC lifecycle from engineering through construction and commissioning. The position includes a two-round interview process, typically consisting of one virtual interview and one in-office visit. The environment offers a variety of work, allowing you to contribute to major projects as well as multiple smaller projects for different clients and facilities, providing broad exposure to diverse engineering challenges and technologies. You will regularly use tools such as AutoCAD and may work with analysis software like ETAP, while applying NEC, IEEE/ANSI, and NEMA standards to ensure safe and compliant designs.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Downers Grove, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $70.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Downers Grove, IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Downers Grove,IL.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
