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Electrical Design Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Electrical Design Engineer III Location: Oakland, CA Job Id: 1148 # of Openings: 1 Join a People-First, Employee-Owned Firm That's Redefining Flexibility and Growth At Interface Engineering, we ...

Electrical Design Engineer III (MEP) Location: Los Angeles, CA Job Id: 1171 # of Openings: 1 Join a People-First, Employee-Owned Firm That's Redefining Flexibility and Growth At Interface Engineering ...

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Electrical Design Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$53.1K

$104.1K

$152.5K

How much do electrical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for electrical design engineer in Chicago, IL is $104,119.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $119,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an electrical design engineer?

As an electrical design engineer, you design projects for power distribution and electrical systems. You use software, electrical products, and other equipment to make your designs a reality. Your job duties involve all aspects of the design process, such as modeling and drafting, creating layouts, and building electrical circuits. You need strong research skills and extensive knowledge of electrical design to perform your work. Your job involves travel to work sites to oversee the implementation of your design projects on jobs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an electrical design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Electrical Design Engineer, you need a solid grounding in electrical engineering principles, circuit design, and typically a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Proficiency with CAD software (such as AutoCAD or EPLAN), simulation tools (like MATLAB or PSpice), and knowledge of industry standards are commonly required. Strong problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and effective communication make candidates stand out in this role. These capabilities are vital to ensure safe, innovative, and reliable electrical systems that meet project requirements and regulatory standards.

What are some common challenges electrical design engineers face when working on multidisciplinary projects?

Electrical Design Engineers often collaborate with mechanical, civil, and software teams on multidisciplinary projects, which can present challenges such as aligning design specifications, managing conflicting requirements, and maintaining clear communication across departments. Balancing the electrical system's needs with space constraints, thermal considerations, and integration with other systems requires strong problem-solving skills and adaptability. Successful engineers proactively coordinate with other teams, participate in regular design reviews, and stay organized to ensure project milestones are met efficiently.

What is the difference between Electrical Design Engineer vs Electrical Project Engineer?

AspectElectrical Design EngineerElectrical Project Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning electrical systems and componentsManaging electrical project execution and coordination
Required SkillsElectrical design, CAD, technical analysisProject management, scheduling, communication
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, engineering firmsConstruction sites, project sites
CertificationsPE license often preferred, engineering degreesPE license beneficial, project management certifications

Electrical Design Engineers focus on creating and developing electrical systems and drawings, while Electrical Project Engineers oversee the implementation, coordination, and management of electrical projects. Both roles require technical knowledge and often collaborate, but their core responsibilities differ in design versus project execution.

What are the most commonly searched types of Electrical Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Electrical Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Electrical Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Electrical Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Electrical Design Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 86% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,119 per year, or $50.1 per hour.

Electrical Design Engineer

Benda Infotech

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Full Job Description Job Description:

The Electrical Design Engineer I will assist in the design and implementation of both current product optimization and new product development. You will work with the electrical and software development team (as well as additional stakeholders such as product management, manufacturing, and purchasing) to see projects through from conception to production, and beyond.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Design:

  • Create and maintain electrical schematics and wire harness drawings
  • Assist in the definition of software functions (machine control and HMI)
  • Acquire and analyze electrical system data
  • Research and understand the applicable industry and government standards (ISO, SAE, etc.)
  • Exercises independent judgement when appropriate

Documentation:

  • Supports the creation of machine documentation (schematics, manuals, training, troubleshooting).
  • Create and manage software requirement documentation
  • Create and manage testing documentation

Administrative Function:

  • Write engineering change notices (ECNs)
  • Release new designs

Product Support:

  • Provide hands on manufacturing support to keep production schedule on time
  • Work with field technicians and support services to investigate and resolve customer concerns

Product Testing:

  • Define testing requirements for new software functions (machine control and HMI)
  • Use data acquisition equipment to collect performance information
  • Create test setups for functional validation
  • Evaluate results and determine/coordinate appropriate issue resolution
  • Troubleshoot issues as they arise during prototyping

Communication:

  • Effectively communicates with members of other departments, suppliers, and service providers
  • Interpersonal skills to work with all levels of the organization to effectively communicate technical ideas
  • Proactively communicates with engineering management
  • Ability to work with a global engineering staff

Project Management:

  • Ability to self-manage your workload according to overall project timelines
Required Skills:
  • Bachelors or Masters in Electrical Engineering or related field.
  • 0-2 year of design engineering experience(including internship and co-op) in a manufacturing environment
  • Proficient knowledge of electronic circuit design, components, systems, and controls
  • Practical knowledge of data acquisition (discrete signals and CAN)
  • Practical knowledge of communication protocols (CAN, UDS, J1939, etc)
  • Practical CAD software experience
  • Proficient computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint