Electrical Communication Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking to hire an Associate Research Electrical Engineer in the within the Grid Integration Technology group of the Transportation and Power Systems Division.

The successful candidate will lead and support research and development activities, with a focus on DC power distribution systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and grid-interactive energy technologies. The candidate will play a key role in developing, integrating, and evaluating advanced electrical power systems through modeling, laboratory experimentation, hardware integration, and field demonstrations.

Responsibilities include leading technical tasks involving DC electrical distribution architectures, battery energy storage systems, power conversion technologies, and grid-connected energy resources. The candidate will contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of advanced electrical infrastructure that improves efficiency, resilience, interoperability, and operational flexibility across a variety of applications, including transportation, buildings, industrial facilities, and data centers.

The successful candidate will serve as a primary technical interface with external partners, including government sponsors, industry collaborators, utilities, and equipment manufacturers-to develop innovative research solutions and ensure successful project execution.

Performance activities include designing and integrating laboratory testbeds; developing electrical system architecture; conducting experimental validation and system performance evaluations; analyzing electrical measurements and operational data; and contributing to project planning, technical documentation, publications, and proposal development. The candidate is expected to identify new research opportunities while supporting the laboratory's strategic initiatives in electrification, energy storage, and resilient power systems.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree with 3+ years of relevant experience; or Ph.D. with 1+ years of relevant experience in electric vehicle systems, grid integration, or networked infrastructure.

• Understanding of electrical power systems, including DC distribution architectures, power conversion equipment, and electrical protection principles.

• Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS), including battery technologies, battery management systems (BMS), power conversion systems (PCS), and system integration.

• Working knowledge of power electronic converters, DC-DC converters, inverters, rectifiers, and associated control strategies.

• Experience designing, integrating, and troubleshooting laboratory-scale or field-deployed electrical systems.

• Familiarity with electrical modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD, PLECS, ETAP, OpenDSS, or similar software.

• Experience with electrical instrumentation and laboratory testing, including oscilloscopes, power analyzers, data acquisition systems, and programmable power supplies.

• Knowledge of electrical communication protocols commonly used in energy systems (e.g., Modbus, CAN, Ethernet/IP, IEC 61850, DNP3, or OPC UA) is desirable.

• Understanding grid integration concepts, including distributed energy resources (DERs), microgrids, flexible loads, demand response, or vehicle-grid integration (V2G), is highly desirable.

• Familiarity with applicable electrical codes, standards, and safety practices related to medium- and low-voltage electrical systems

• Ability to lead technical tasks and coordinate contributions from multidisciplinary research teams.

• Experience designing and executing experimental research, analyzing electrical system performance, and documenting technical findings.

• Ability to contribute to proposal development through technical writing, concept formulation, and identification of emerging research opportunities.

• Ability to translate complex electrical engineering challenges into practical research solutions.

• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple concurrent research projects while meeting technical and programmatic milestones.

• Experience collaborating with government sponsors, utilities, manufacturers, universities, or industry partners.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical results to diverse audiences.

• Demonstrated initiative, independence, and accountability in managing work streams.

• Ability to mentor junior staff and contribute to team development.

• Commitment to safety, security, and quality in all research operations.

• Ability to model Argonne's Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

• This position requires an on-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois.

Job Family

Job Profile

Worker Type

Time Type

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.