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Contract Electronics Design Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

BESS Design Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$103K - $141.10K/yr

Remote in US only but may include travel a few times a year Contract Length: 1-year with extension ... Design & Engineering Management * Prepare detailed design specifications, technical drawings, and ...

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... aerospace materials, electronics, and packaging. PLITEK ® delivers scalable, ISO-certified ... and contract assembly & packaging. We focus on providing solutions for our customers and strongly ...

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Contract Electronics Design Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$35K

$107.6K

$151.4K

How much do contract electronics design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract electronics design engineer in Chicago, IL is $107,639.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,100.00 and $125,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Electronics Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Electronics Design Engineer, you need a strong background in electronic circuit design, PCB layout, and proficiency with industry standards, usually supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD tools such as Altium Designer or Eagle, and an understanding of regulatory compliance like IPC standards, are typically required. Excellent problem-solving, project management, and communication skills help you efficiently deliver client-focused solutions and work in diverse teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for meeting project deadlines, ensuring product reliability, and maintaining high client satisfaction in a competitive, fast-paced environment.

What are some common challenges faced by Contract Electronics Design Engineers when working with new clients or projects?

Contract Electronics Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as quickly adapting to new team dynamics, understanding unique client requirements, and integrating into existing development processes. Since project scopes and expectations can vary widely, effective communication and thorough documentation are essential to clarify deliverables and timelines. Additionally, engineers must be proactive in staying current with industry standards and technologies to ensure seamless collaboration and meet project specifications.

What are Contract Electronics Design Engineers?

Contract Electronics Design Engineers are professionals who are hired on a temporary or project basis to design, develop, and test electronic systems or components for a variety of industries. They typically work with clients to create custom electronic solutions, such as circuit boards, embedded systems, or control systems, and may be involved in all stages from concept through to prototype and production. Their roles often require expertise in electronic hardware, software integration, and compliance with industry standards. These engineers provide flexibility for companies needing specialized skills without committing to permanent hires.

What is the difference between Contract Electronics Design Engineer vs Electronics Design Engineer?

AspectContract Electronics Design EngineerElectronics Design Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in electronics or electrical engineering; certifications varySame as contract role, often with additional professional certifications
Work EnvironmentProject-based, often freelance or temporary contractsFull-time employment in companies or organizations
Industry UsageCommon in consulting, freelance projects, or short-term assignmentsStandard role within electronics and tech companies

The main difference is that Contract Electronics Design Engineers work on temporary, project-specific assignments, often freelance, while Electronics Design Engineers are typically employed full-time by companies. Both roles require similar skills and credentials, but their work arrangements and employment status differ.

What are popular job titles related to Contract Electronics Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Contract Electronics Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Electronics Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Electronics Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Principal/Sr. Principal FPGA Design Engineer

Principal/Sr. Principal FPGA Design Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Rolling Meadows, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 336 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

103rd of 511 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
The Multi-domain Sensing, Targeting, and Survivability Division (MSTS), located in the Northwest Chicago suburbs, develops operational Electronic Warfare (EW) and targeting systems that provide situational awareness, self-protection, and offensive electronic attack capability to platforms across the spectrum from visible light IR to millimeter wave RF. By joining us, you'll work on projects that help safeguard our nation related to land forces, rotary wing survivability systems, international and U.S. military electronic warfare systems, communications systems, missile warning systems and sensors, infrared counter-measure systems (IRCM), automatic test equipment, modeling and simulation, and situational awareness programs.
The Principal/Sr. Principal FPGA Design Engineer role involves full life-cycle product development from system concept and requirements through design, implementation, test verification, production, field support while working in integrated product teams spanning Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program Management. Digital subsystem and circuit card designs utilize the latest FPGA technologies from all major vendors and device families including Xilinx, Altera, and Actel, and support high speed interfaces, Radio Frequency (RF) and Electro-Optical (EO) DSP, controls, data links, embedded processing and interfaces.
Job Description:
As a Principal/Sr. Principal FPGA Design Engineer, you will join our diverse team and be responsible for research, design, and development of digital hardware products. Your expertise in digital component design and analysis, modeling and simulation, circuit level design and test, and project leadership are desired for this position. Research, designs, develops, and tests a variety of electronic equipment and systems, including radar and radiation detection equipment; radio, television and other communications equipment and systems; circuitry components; analog and digital computers; and control and test equipment.
*This position may be filled at either a Principal or Sr. Principal FPGA Design Engineer level based on the qualifications listed below. *
This position will be full-time and on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location.
Basic Qualifications for a Principal FPGA Design Engineer:
- Bachelors' degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline with a minimum 5 years of digital electronics design experience or 3 years of digital electronics design experience with a Master's degree in a technical field or in lieu of degree, an additional 4 years of experience is required.
- Digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration
- Prior hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high speed interfaces.
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects with 2 or less team members.
- Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications.
- Familiarity with documentation revision control and review systems similar to DOORS, ClearCase, and ClearQuest.
- US Citizen and must have interim secret clearance prior to starting. Once started, must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal FPGA Design Engineer:
- Bachelors' degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline with a minimum 8 years of digital electronics design experience or 6 years of digital electronics design experience with a Master's degree in a technical field or in lieu of a degree, an additional 4 years of experience is required.
- Extensive digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration.
- Extensive hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high speed interfaces
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects with 2 or more team members.
- Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications.
- Familiarity with documentation, revision control and review systems similar to DOORS, ClearCase, and ClearQuest.
- US Citizen and must have interim secret clearance prior to starting. Once started, must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering with a minimum 12 years of digital electronics design experience.
- Working knowledge of Electronic Warfare systems.
- Experience in Aerospace and/or Defense industries.
- Recent circuit card design experience utilizing circuit-related tools including Cadence Concept, Allegro, and/or Mentor DxDesigner, Expedition.
- Working experience with ClearCase/ClearQuest and DOORS Current Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance.
- Proven skills to include: team leadership, mentoring others, communicating with all levels of an organization internally and externally, being adaptable, creative, collaborative and also comfortable working independently and enjoys solving difficult problems
Primary Level Salary Range: $119,600.00 - $179,400.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $149,300.00 - $223,900.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939