Camera Systems Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The Electronic Security Systems Design & Estimating Engineer supports the design, estimating, and pre-sales development of commercial physical security and low-voltage systems, including video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, intercom, and integrated security solutions.

This is a physical security systems position focused on the design and estimating of field-installed electronic security systems. It is not a software development, cybersecurity, IT application support, or enterprise software engineering role.

The position is responsible for evaluating bid opportunities to determine whether they are an appropriate fit for Pace Systems based on project scope, construction requirements, technical specifications, supported equipment, installation capabilities, and overall business alignment.

This role reviews construction drawings, floor plans, specifications, RFPs, addenda, and bid documents to identify required security devices, system architecture, infrastructure requirements, installation considerations, and potential project risks.

This is a hybrid position with a combination of remote work and in-office collaboration. Candidates must be located within a reasonable driving distance of the Pace Systems office and be available to work onsite as needed for team meetings, design reviews, project coordination, training, and other business needs.

Working closely with the sales team, the Electronic Security Systems Design & Estimating Engineer develops complete physical security solutions, including:

• Video surveillance cameras and video management systems
• Access control panels, card readers, electronic locks, and door hardware interfaces
• Intrusion detection panels and field devices
• Intercom and emergency communication systems
• Network-connected security appliances and supporting infrastructure
• Equipment layouts, device counts, bills of material, labor estimates, and installation scopes

The position prepares system designs, cost estimates, written scopes of work, marked-up construction drawings, design narratives, and proposal documentation using Pace Systems’ approved standards, estimating tools, and supported product offerings.

Strong working knowledge of commercial electronic security systems is required, including platforms such as Genetec, Motorola Solutions, Milestone, Brivo, Verkada, and Rhombus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Physical Security Opportunity Evaluation

• Review commercial electronic security bid opportunities, construction documents, specifications, floor plans, and RFP requirements.
• Determine required cameras, card readers, access control panels, intrusion devices, intercom stations, servers, appliances, licensing, and related system components.
• Evaluate the physical installation requirements associated with device placement, cabling, pathways, power, network connectivity, door hardware, and system integration.
• Identify scope gaps, conflicting requirements, constructability concerns, technical risks, and potential installation challenges.
• Determine whether opportunities align with Pace Systems’ supported security platforms, installation capabilities, labor resources, and operational standards.
• Review addenda and customer-issued documents to ensure all physical security requirements are incorporated into the proposed solution.

Security System Design and Estimating

• Develop system designs for video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, intercom, and integrated physical security systems.
• Prepare device counts, equipment selections, preliminary bills of material, labor estimates, licensing requirements, and system architecture.
• Select appropriate cameras, lenses, mounts, recording platforms, access control panels, readers, credentials, door interfaces, intrusion devices, and related accessories.
• Review floor plans and construction drawings to determine device placement and installation requirements.
• Create marked-up drawings identifying camera locations, card readers, controlled doors, panels, intrusion devices, intercom stations, and head-end equipment.
• Estimate installation labor, programming, testing, commissioning, project management, training, and other required services.
• Coordinate with manufacturers, distributors, sales representatives, project managers, and field personnel to validate product selection and system design.
• Confirm compatibility between field devices, head-end equipment, software platforms, licensing, network requirements, and existing customer systems.

Proposal and Scope Development

• Prepare detailed scopes of work for electronic security proposals, quotations, and bid submissions.
• Clearly document equipment, installation responsibilities, programming requirements, customer responsibilities, assumptions, clarifications, and exclusions.
• Develop design narratives and system descriptions that explain the proposed physical security solution.
• Review proposals for missing devices, omitted labor, licensing gaps, unclear responsibilities, and conflicting scope requirements.
• Ensure proposals accurately reflect the requirements shown on security drawings, architectural plans, door schedules, specifications, and related construction documents.

Site and Pre-Sales Support

• Participate in customer walkthroughs, construction site visits, pre-bid meetings, and design reviews.
• Verify field conditions, existing equipment, mounting locations, pathways, power availability, network requirements, door conditions, and head-end locations.
• Translate customer security concerns and operational requirements into practical, code-compliant, and cost-effective system designs.
• Serve as a physical security technical resource during pre-sales meetings with customers, manufacturers, vendors, and internal teams.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience designing, estimating, engineering, installing, or supporting commercial electronic security systems.
• Direct experience with physical security systems, including video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, intercom, or integrated security platforms.
• Strong understanding of field-installed security equipment such as cameras, card readers, access control panels, locks, request-to-exit devices, door contacts, motion detectors, intrusion panels, intercom stations, servers, and recording appliances.
• Experience reviewing architectural drawings, security drawings, floor plans, door schedules, specifications, RFPs, and construction bid documents.
• Experience developing device layouts, bills of material, labor estimates, system architecture, and installation scopes.
• Working knowledge of commercial low-voltage installation practices, structured cabling, pathways, power requirements, network connectivity, and equipment mounting.
• Experience with one or more physical security platforms such as Genetec, Motorola Solutions, Milestone, Brivo, Verkada, or Rhombus.
• Ability to prepare clear scopes of work, assumptions, clarifications, exclusions, and proposal documentation.
• Ability to create and interpret marked-up construction drawings and security system plans.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam, Visio, AutoCAD, or similar design and drawing-markup tools.
• Strong analytical, estimating, organizational, and written communication skills.
• Must be located within a reasonable driving distance of the Pace Systems office and able to work a hybrid schedule with both remote and onsite/in-office responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working for an electronic security integrator, low-voltage contractor, security systems manufacturer, or commercial security design firm.
• Experience estimating labor and materials for commercial security installation projects.
• Knowledge of access-controlled door hardware, electrified locking systems, life-safety interfaces, and door control sequences.
• Knowledge of camera coverage, lens selection, storage calculations, bandwidth considerations, and video retention requirements.
• Manufacturer certifications in Genetec, Milestone, Motorola Solutions, Brivo, Verkada, Rhombus, or similar physical security platforms.
• Associate’s degree or higher in Electronics, Engineering Technology, Security Systems, Construction Technology, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Candidates Without Relevant Experience

Candidates whose experience is primarily in software development, web applications, enterprise application support, cybersecurity, cloud engineering, or general IT administration without direct commercial electronic security systems experience will not be considered.

Pace Systems provides comprehensive IT, Security, Audio Visual, and Software Solutions to medium and enterprise-level organizations, including those in healthcare, higher education, and commercial real estate. Our company has been providing technology solutions since 1983 and we pride ourselves on implementing true end-to-end solutions all under one roof - from design and implementation to on-going service and support.

Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities consistent with the Illinois Human Rights Act and applicable federal law. We do not discriminate or retaliate based on protected characteristics, including race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age (40+), disability, marital status, military status, unfavorable military discharge, order-of-protection status, citizenship or work-authorization status, arrest record, conviction record, family responsibilities, or reproductive health decisions.