Assistant Lead Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Job Description: Lead Engineer (PE) - Electrical Engineering PE License

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Professional Engineer (PE) to lead engineering efforts across commercial, industrial, and renewable energy projects. This role is responsible for overseeing electrical design, design-build, and EPC project execution; providing estimating support; developing and reviewing shop drawings; and providing technical leadership for a growing engineering team.

The role offers an opportunity to lead technically complex commercial, industrial, and renewable energy projects while helping build and mentor the next generation of engineers within a growing electrical contracting and EPC organization.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with practical construction experience and leadership capabilities. This individual will mentor junior engineers, support preconstruction and estimating efforts, develop engineering standards, and deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions that drive successful project execution from concept through commissioning.

Key Responsibilities Engineering Leadership

• Lead engineering and design activities for commercial, industrial, and renewable energy projects.
• Serve as Engineer of Record (EOR) when required.
• Provide technical oversight and quality control for engineering deliverables.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards, design criteria, and best practices.
• Collaborate with estimating, operations, project management, procurement, and field teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on engineering efficiency, quality, and constructability.

Design & Engineering

• Prepare, review, and approve:
• • One-line diagrams
  • Power distribution systems
  • Medium- and low-voltage electrical systems
  • Lighting and lighting control systems
  • Grounding and bonding systems
  • Solar PV systems
  • EPC Drawing Sets for Renewable Energy
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • EV charging infrastructure
  • Arc flash, short-circuit, and coordination studies
• Perform electrical calculations, equipment sizing, and system analysis.
• Ensure compliance with NEC, NFPA, IEEE, NESC, utility requirements, and local codes.
• Conduct constructability reviews and value engineering analyses to optimize project outcomes.

Design-Build & EPC Project Support

• Lead engineering efforts for Design-Build and EPC projects from conceptual development through commissioning.
• Collaborate with clients, architects, consultants, utilities, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).
• Participate in project planning, scope development, budgeting, risk assessment, and value engineering.
• Support commissioning, startup, and project closeout activities.
• Provide technical guidance throughout project execution to ensure schedule, quality, and budget objectives are achieved.

Estimating & Preconstruction Support

• Support business development and estimating teams with project pursuits and bid preparation.
• Develop conceptual budgets, ROM estimates, and detailed electrical cost estimates.
• Utilize Conest IntelliBid software to prepare accurate labor, material, equipment, and subcontractor estimates.
• Review drawings, specifications, and bid documents to identify scope gaps, design risks, and opportunities for value engineering.
• Assist with procurement strategies, equipment selection, vendor evaluations, and pricing analyses.
• Participate in bid reviews, proposal development, client presentations, and project handoff meetings.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to align project designs with budget and constructability requirements.

Shop Drawings & Construction Support

• Review and approve shop drawings, submittals, RFIs, and construction documents.
• Provide engineering support for field installation challenges and project execution.
• Conduct site visits and field reviews as required.
• Coordinate with project managers, superintendents, and field personnel to resolve technical issues.
• Ensure engineering solutions are practical, cost-effective, and aligned with construction best practices.

Team Development & Mentorship

• Mentor and develop junior engineers, designers, and engineering interns.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and career development support.
• Lead design reviews, engineering training sessions, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, safety-focused, and high-performance engineering culture.
• Support succession planning and professional development within the engineering department.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical Preferred).
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• 8+ years of electrical engineering experience in commercial, industrial, renewable energy, or electrical construction environments.
• Experience leading engineering efforts for design-build projects.
• Strong knowledge of NEC, NFPA, IEEE, NESC, and applicable electrical standards.
• Experience reviewing shop drawings, submittals, and construction documents.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project coordination skills.

Preferred

• 10+ years of relevant electrical engineering experience.
• Experience serving as Engineer of Record (EOR).
• Experience supporting EPC project delivery.
• Renewable energy experience including solar PV, BESS, EV charging infrastructure, and microgrids.
• Electrical estimating and preconstruction experience.
• Proficiency with Conest IntelliBid or similar electrical estimating software.
• Previous supervisory, engineering management, or team leadership experience.

Technical Skills

• Electrical power system design
• Medium- and low-voltage distribution systems
• Solar PV, battery energy storage, and EV infrastructure
• Power system studies and analysis
• AutoCAD, Revit, BIM authoring / model platforms
• Construction document development
• Shop drawing and submittal review
• Conest, IntelliBid estimating software
• Electrical preconstruction and bid development
• Cost estimating and budget forecasting
• Value engineering and constructability review
• Vendor and subcontractor bid analysis
• Design-Build and EPC project execution

Leadership Competencies

• Strong mentorship and team-building skills.
• Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong relationship management skills.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Effective communicator capable of interacting with executives, clients, engineers, project teams, and field personnel.

Equal Opportunity Statement

LiveWire Construction LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.