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Independent Contractor Electrical Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Electrical Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

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... contractors, operations, and maintenance organizations. Major Duties/Responsibilities: * Oversee and perform electrical engineering and design oversight for data center projects, including facility ...

Electrical Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$86K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Electrical Engineer PE Location: Helena, MT (remote work is available) Description: FourFront ... As a federal contractor, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer for Minorities, Females, Protected ...

Electrical Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Electrical Engineer Job Summary: Salas O'Brien is seeking a talented Electrical Engineer or ... contractors, and others to address mechanical design requirements and develop effective working ...

E. in Electrical Engineering and is able to do a full Electrical design beginning with the building ... Coordinates with contractors, vendors, and field personnel to address constructability issues and ...

E. in Electrical Engineering and is able to do a full Electrical design beginning with the building ... Coordinates with contractors, vendors, and field personnel to address constructability issues and ...

Showing results 21-40

Independent Contractor Electrical Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$45.8K

$100.8K

$152.5K

How much do independent contractor electrical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for independent contractor electrical engineer in Tennessee is $100,828.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,300.00 and $119,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an independent contractor electrical engineer?

Independent Contractor Electrical Engineers need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, project management, and often a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard design software like AutoCAD and MATLAB, as well as familiarity with relevant codes and optional certifications such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license, is highly valued. Strong communication, time management, and problem-solving skills help these professionals effectively coordinate with clients and deliver projects independently. Mastering these competencies ensures successful project delivery, client satisfaction, and compliance with technical standards in a self-directed work environment.

How much do freelance electrical engineers make?

Freelance electrical engineers typically earn between $50,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, specialization, and project scope. Rates can vary from $30 to $150 per hour, with highly skilled engineers or those with niche expertise commanding higher fees. Income often depends on the number of projects secured and the engineer’s reputation and certifications.

What does an independent contractor electrical engineer do?

An Independent Contractor Electrical Engineer is a self-employed professional who provides electrical engineering services to clients on a contract basis. They design, develop, and test electrical systems for various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and technology. Unlike full-time employees, independent contractors typically work on short-term or project-based assignments, handling tasks such as circuit design, system integration, troubleshooting, and compliance testing. They must manage their own business operations, including invoicing, taxes, and client relationships. This role offers flexibility but requires strong technical expertise and business skills to succeed.

Can independent contractor electrical engineers be self-employed?

Yes, independent contractor electrical engineers can be self-employed, working on a project basis or as freelancers. They typically manage their own schedules, client relationships, and taxes, and often require relevant certifications and technical skills to operate independently.

What are the most commonly searched types of Electrical Engineer jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Electrical Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Independent Contractor Electrical Engineer jobs in Tennessee?

For Independent Contractor Electrical Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Independent Contractor Electrical Engineer jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Independent Contractor Electrical Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Independent Contractor Electrical Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,828 per year, or $48.5 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 120 rated laboratories


Job description

Requisition Id 16821 

Overview:

The Laboratory Modernization Division (LMD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Electrical Engineer to support the new Government Computing Facility (GCF) data center project. This role will provide electrical engineering, design oversight, field support, and technical coordination for a new data center facility at ORNL supporting high-performance and mission-critical computing capabilities. The position resides within the New Facility Construction Group within LMD, which is part of the Facilities & Operations Directorate.

The successful candidate will support planning, design, construction, commissioning, and turnover of electrical and related facility systems for a large-scale, high-security data center environment. Responsibilities include electrical power distribution, telecommunications, instrumentation and controls, utility interfaces, facility automation, and coordination with ORNL subject matter experts, design teams, construction contractors, operations, and maintenance organizations.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Oversee and perform electrical engineering and design oversight for data center projects, including facility power distribution, telecommunications, instrumentation and controls, and related electrical infrastructure.
  • Support planning, design, construction, commissioning, and turnover of electrical systems for mission-critical data center facilities within scope, schedule, budget, and available funding.
  • Develop and review project definitions, conceptual electrical system designs, scopes of work, methods of accomplishment, design documents, specifications, cost estimates, schedules, and construction/procurement packages.
  • Review and approve electrical design documents, change orders, material requisitions, calculations, studies, and specifications for construction or procurement use.
  • Collaborate with ORNL telecommunications, power utility, facility automation, cybersecurity, operations, maintenance, and safety subject matter experts to ensure complete and coordinated installations.
  • Proactively identify and resolve potential design and construction issues, including safety, cost, schedule, quality, code compliance, configuration control, operability, maintainability, and constructability concerns.
  • Contribute to configuration control of new and modified facilities and electrical, telecommunications, and I&C systems, including as-built documentation and closeout records in site database systems.
  • Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

  • BS degree in electrical engineering or other relevant discipline from an ABET-accredited institution.
  • A minimum of 5 years of working experience in electrical engineering for new construction, renovation, plant operations, power distribution, communications, plant automation, and/or SCADA systems.
  • Experience supporting design, design reviews, construction oversight, field inspections, commissioning, testing, and technical issue resolution for facility electrical systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with operations, construction, facilities, and/or maintenance teams and coordinate field system tie-ins in a co-occupancy environment involving operations, construction contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to create, organize, and manage project documents from conception to completion, including closeout and as-built documentation.
  • Experience working with Operations, Construction, and/or Facilities teams, including coordinating field system tie-ins in a co-occupancy environment involving operations staff, construction contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Professional Engineer registration in the State of Tennessee or the ability to obtain registration.
  • A minimum of eight years of experience in design, design management, and/or construction management of multiple disciplines.
  • Experience with electrical systems supporting data centers, high-performance computing facilities, mission-critical facilities, energy plants, utility rooms, secure facilities, or other sensitive technical environments.
  • Demonstrated proficiency with arc flash modeling software such as SKM, ETAP, or EasyPower, and application of arc flash calculation methods.
  • Education and experience in instrumentation and controls related to facility automation and utility SCADA.
  • Experience performing constructability reviews, options analysis, and conceptual engineering to address construction conditions not anticipated during project design.
  • Knowledge of Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705 standards for the construction, accreditation, and maintenance of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs)

Special Requirements:

  • Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.
  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing. 
  • Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.


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