Design Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Are you ready to take your distribution engineering experience to the next level? Join a fast-growing engineering organization that's helping utilities modernize infrastructure, improve system reliability, and integrate renewable energy solutions across the country.

This is a remote opportunity where you'll lead impactful projects, work directly with utility clients, and play a key role in shaping the future of power distribution—all while enjoying the flexibility of working from home.

If you're passionate about electrical distribution design, solving complex engineering challenges, and making a lasting impact on critical infrastructure, we want to hear from you.

As a Design Engineer, you'll serve as a technical leader and trusted advisor on utility distribution projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and engineering of overhead and underground electrical distribution systems.
• Serve as a technical advisor and primary engineering resource for utility clients.
• Develop and review distribution design packages for utility infrastructure projects.
• Support grid modernization initiatives, system upgrades, and reliability improvement programs.
• Contribute to Distributed Energy Resource (DER) integration projects.
• Perform and review load flow, voltage drop, short circuit, and protection coordination studies.
• Utilize engineering software such as CYME, Synergi, ETAP, or similar tools for system analysis.
• Apply CAD and other design tools to develop high-quality engineering deliverables.
• Drive successful project execution while meeting scope, schedule, and quality objectives.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across engineering and infrastructure groups.
• Mentor junior engineers and support the development of engineering best practices.
• Communicate technical concepts effectively to both clients and internal stakeholders.

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in electrical engineering, power distribution, or utility engineering.

• Remote-first work environment with flexibility and work-life balance.
• Work on high-impact utility and infrastructure projects that keep communities powered.
• Exposure to grid modernization, reliability improvements, and renewable energy integration.
• Opportunity to work directly with utility clients and grow into technical leadership roles.
• Join a rapidly growing organization with strong advancement potential.
• Collaborative, engineering-focused culture that values innovation, mentorship, and technical excellence.

This role offers a primarily remote schedule with occasional in-person collaboration, training, and team meetings—typically twice per month. You'll work alongside a highly skilled engineering team supporting a wide variety of utility, municipal, industrial, and infrastructure projects.

If you're looking for a role where you can make a real impact, work on meaningful projects, and grow your engineering career while maintaining flexibility, we'd love to connect with you.

Apply today and help build the next generation of electric utility infrastructure.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Wheaton, IL.

The pay range for this position is $48.08 - $62.50/hr.

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 hybrid position in Wheaton,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 13, 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 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.