Contract Electrical Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Job Title: Electrical Design Engineer

We're looking for an Electrical Design Engineer to support the design, development, and testing of microprocessor- and PLC-based control systems for automated equipment. This hands-on role spans circuit design, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototype development, embedded programming, and system validation, offering the opportunity to work across hardware, software, and automation technologies.

• Support the design and development of microprocessor- and PLC-based control systems.
• Design and analyze AC/DC digital and analog circuits for reliable system performance.
• Create schematics and assist with PCB layout using AutoCAD Electrical, SolidWorks, or similar tools.
• Participate in prototype assembly, bring-up, testing, and validation.
• Develop and modify embedded software in C for bare-metal microcontroller applications.
• Support PLC programming using ladder logic for industrial automation systems.
• Perform hardware validation, data collection, troubleshooting, and performance testing.
• Debug embedded systems using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters.
• Design and review electrical panels, layouts, wiring, and component placement.
• Apply power and safety standards to ensure compliant, safe system designs.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to deliver integrated automation solutions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design, documentation, and testing processes.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of AC/DC digital and analog circuits.
• Experience programming in C or similar languages.
• Familiarity with bare-metal microcontroller development.
• Hands-on debugging experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters.
• Ability to work independently and within a collaborative engineering team.
• 2+ years of experience using AutoCAD Electrical or SolidWorks for schematic design.
• Experience with electrical design, control systems, panel layouts, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of power and safety standards related to electrical and automation systems.

• Experience with PCB design, schematic capture, and Altium or similar tools.
• Familiarity with Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and other industrial communication protocols.
• Understanding of PLC-based and industrial automation systems.
• Experience with hardware testing, validation, and data collection.
• Exposure to PCB manufacturability, EMC, and reliability considerations.
• Experience with version control systems and scripting tools.
• Ability to work effectively across hardware, embedded software, and control systems.

Join a growing family-owned company where you'll work alongside experienced engineers on innovative automation projects. This role offers hands-on exposure to electrical design, embedded systems, PLC controls, and PCB development in a collaborative environment that values teamwork, problem-solving, and professional growth

This is a Contract position based out of Naperville, IL.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $60.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Naperville,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.

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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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