Independent Contractor Electrical Engineer Jobs in Park Ridge, IL

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY:

Located in Carol Stream, IL the Electrical Engineer designs, programs, tests, and supports electrical control systems for industrial automation equipment. This role creates electrical schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, bills of materials, pneumatic designs, and PLC programs using SolidWorks Electrical and industry standards. Working closely with mechanical, manufacturing, and applications teams, the engineer helps deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective automation solutions.

This position supports projects from concept through installation, including design reviews, risk assessments, testing, troubleshooting, commissioning, and customer training. The Electrical Engineer also maintains technical documentation, implements engineering changes, supports continuous improvement efforts, and provides on-site customer support when needed. Success in this role requires strong problem-solving skills, hands-on troubleshooting experience, attention to safety, and the ability to meet project timelines and customer requirements.

• Conceptualize, engineer, and complete detailed design of controls, safety, and power circuits for automation projects. Use SolidWorks Electrical to design electrical schematics, pneumatic systems and panel layouts for automation systems per specifications. Create specs from variety of sources including from scratch as required. Evaluate/integrate designs with mechanical design. 
• Apply broad knowledge of technical principles, procedures and practices to define product concepts, design schematics, layouts, bills of material (hardware selection) associated software, and wiring diagrams. Ensure safety concepts are part of design. 
• Leverage existing designs to the greatest extent possible and work to build designs that can be re-used for similar applications in the future. 
• Modify and customize equipment as needed to meet customer’s specifications. 
• Implement design practices using NFPA/NEC, ICE/ISO and UL standards
• Risk analysis using FMEA/DFMEA
• Assist Application Engineers with quoting System controls as needed. 
• Outline machine sequence of operations by flowcharting format. 
• Program PLCs (Allen Bradley, B&R, Panasonic, Siemens) using ladder logic or structured text. Use structured, clear programming. 
• Assist in outsourcing controls engineering as required. Source and manage sub-contractors. 
• Participate in kick-off and design review meetings as required. 
• Meet project budget, schedules and deadlines. 
• Test, troubleshoots, debug designs, pilot runs, FAT/SAT, customer training. 
• Create and maintain as required, programs for Standard products. 
• Upload and maintain Electrical and Pneumatic BOMs in ERP System
• Create and maintain technical documentation for standard and custom equipment
• Execute ECR’s
• Draft SOP’s and Work Instructions as needed
• Travel and interface with customer and internal resources as required to troubleshoot controls issues at customer sites. Perform electrical and some mechanical work as a standalone support person.
• Maintains focus on continuous improvement by applying 80/20, PLS, and USa principles/techniques and makes process improvement recommendations to management.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent experience. Prefer BSEE or BSEET

Experience/Skills: 

Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in Electrical Engineering or related field Experience using SolidWorks and AutoCAD for electrical controls, schematics, wiring diagrams and PLC programming (Allen Bradley, B&R, Panasonic, Siemens) for industrial machines Experience in some project management of design and machine building. Hands-on experience with electrical and electromechanical equipment, demonstrating strong safety practices while diagnosing, debugging, and troubleshooting system issues in manufacturing, or field environments SolidWorks PDM experience, a plus.  PC skills to include Word, Excel, Windows, MS Office.  Demonstrated math, negotiation, motivational, team leadership and organizational skills.

Physical/Visual Activities or Demands: Physical/visual activities or demands that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk, hear, sit and type, occasionally twist/turn, reach above shoulder and outward, stand, walk, bend, grasp with hands on a regular, daily basis and lift, stretch, and squat throughout the day.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include concentrated attention, close vision, far vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to bring object into sharp focus.  

Working Conditions: Commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

Typical Office (70%)  Plant Conditions (30%) Travel (as needed)

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids that may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position:

Computer, Microsoft Office Suite, calculator, telephone, scanners, printers, ERP

License(s)/Certification(s) Required: None.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.

Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

"Commonly associated" is not intended to mean always or only. There are different experiences that suggest other ways or circumstances where reasonable changes or accommodations are appropriate.

All activities, demands, conditions and requirements are linked to essential job functions.

As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, ITW does not discriminate in hiring or in the terms and conditions of employment because of an individual's race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, arrest record, citizenship or other categories protected by federal, state or local laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disability

Compensation Information:

$115,000- $130,000

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.