Freelance Electronic Component Engineer Jobs in Burr Ridge, IL

Underwater communication is one of the hardest wireless problems on Earth. Radio waves attenuate quickly underwater, so our systems use sound, much like whales and dolphins, to transmit high-bandwidth data, including video. We are seeking an Electrical Engineer to help build our next-generation modems and other cutting-edge undersea technology. This role is a strong fit for a recent electrical engineering graduate who has solid fundamentals, enjoys hands-on hardware work, and wants to grow quickly by working on real products.

You will work closely with experienced electrical, embedded software, signal processing, and mechanical engineers across the full product lifecycle. Rather than working on one small piece of a large organization, you will have visibility into complete systems, from circuit boards and firmware to undersea drones and customer deployments.

Underwater, the wireless transfer of a single picture used to take an hour. OceanComm brought to market wireless modems that transfer data 100 to 1,000 times faster. Legacy modems were largely status and command links; our modems can control undersea drones with live video feedback, fundamentally changing what operators can see, decide, and do underwater. Leading organizations in defense, offshore energy, and oceanographic research rely on OceanComm to keep their undersea systems connected.

• Design, build, and test analog, digital, and mixed-signal electronics with guidance from experienced engineers
• Create and modify schematics and PCB layouts for new products and hardware revisions
• Bring up prototype circuit boards and troubleshoot hardware using laboratory test equipment
• Assist with component selection, circuit analysis, design verification, and documentation
• Develop test setups and write simple scripts or firmware to support hardware testing
• Debug problems involving electronics, firmware, power, and sensors
• Integrate and test our modems with undersea drones and other advanced maritime systems
• Evaluate new components, technologies, and technical approaches for future designs

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with 0-2 years of relevant experience
• Strong understanding of core electrical engineering concepts, including analog circuits, digital electronics, and signals and systems
• Hands-on experience designing, building and debugging electronic circuits through coursework, personal projects, internships, student teams, or professional work
• Comfortable using common laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, DMMs, power supplies, function generators, and logic analyzers
• Ability to read schematics and understand basic PCB designs
• Familiarity with common electronic components, including op-amps, transistors, voltage regulators, ADCs/DACs, and microcontrollers
• Exposure to digital interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, USB, or Ethernet
• Experience with an electronic design automation tool such as Altium Designer, KiCad, OrCAD, or Eagle
• Ability to clearly document designs, test results, and technical findings
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to travel, with occasional periods up to 20% depending on project phase
• U.S. Person

• Experience designing and assembling PCBs through coursework, personal projects, internships, student teams, or professional work
• Coursework or projects involving analog signal processing, filters, amplifiers, ADCs/DACs, or low-noise circuits
• Experience with C/C++ and embedded software development
• Experience using Python to automate testing or analyze measurement data
• An interest in acoustics, communications, robotics, marine technology, or signal processing

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and incentive stock options
• Paid vacation starting at 20 days per year, increasing with tenure
• Paid sick leave with carryover
• Flexible schedule with core hours
• Close mentorship and training from experienced engineers and technical leaders
• Professional development support for conferences, books, courses, or technical training
• Hands-on work with advanced acoustic, embedded, and undersea robotics hardware

The pay range for this position is $90,000 - $130,000 per year. Actual pay will depend on the candidate’s experience and skills demonstrated during interviews and other evaluations.

OceanComm is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vet.