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Principal Electrical Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Arcadis

Principal Substation Electrical Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$143K - $175K/yr

Arcadis is currently seeking a highly motivated Principal Substation Electrical Engineer to join our Power Delivery & Renewable team. Arcadis' Power Delivery group partners with clients to provide ...

Arcadis

Principal Substation Electrical Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$143K - $175K/yr

Arcadis is currently seeking a highly motivated Principal Substation Electrical Engineer to join our Power Delivery & Renewable team. Arcadis' Power Delivery group partners with clients to provide ...

Astronics

Principal Staff Electrical Engineer

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$132K - $161K/yr

Join the Astronics team as a Principal Staff Electrical Engineer! Job Summary: Experienced developer with proven ability to design for passing EMI/EMC tests and to troubleshoot and diagnosis EMC/EMI ...

Astronics

Principal Staff Electrical Engineer

Waukegan, IL

$132K - $161K/yr

Join the Astronics team as a Principal Staff Electrical Engineer. Job Summary: Experienced developer with proven ability to design for passing EMI/EMC tests and to troubleshoot and diagnosis EMC/EMI ...

Arcadis

Principal Substation Electrical Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$143K - $175K/yr

Arcadis is currently seeking a highly motivated Principal Substation Electrical Engineer to join our Power Delivery & Renewable team. Arcadis' Power Delivery group partners with clients to provide ...

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All JobsPrincipal Electrical Engineer JobsPrincipal Electrical Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Principal Electrical Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$101.5K

$159.6K

$211.3K

How much do principal electrical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal electrical engineer in Chicago, IL is $159,616.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $143,300.00 and $175,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal electrical engineer?

A principal electrical engineer serves as a project manager for electrical-related building or construction projects. In this role, your job duties may include designing electrical devices, ensuring proper installation, inspecting completed electrical work, and providing work estimates. You may also supervise a staff of junior engineers, overseeing their work, and ensure that the project is completed within the allotted timeframe and budget. Principal electrical engineers are often the liaison between the engineering team and upper management. You must create reports and communicate regular updates on the status of each project to ensure each stage is meeting deadline expectations.

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

To thrive as a Principal Electrical Engineer, you need advanced expertise in electrical engineering principles, project management, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Mastery of design software (such as AutoCAD and MATLAB), familiarity with industry standards (like IEEE), and experience with simulation and analysis tools are essential. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills enable effective team management and cross-functional collaboration. These skills ensure successful project delivery, innovation, and compliance with regulatory and safety standards in complex engineering environments.

How does a principal electrical engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during large-scale projects?

As a Principal Electrical Engineer, you will frequently work with multidisciplinary teams including mechanical, civil, and software engineers, as well as project managers and clients. Your role often involves leading technical discussions, providing guidance on electrical design solutions, and ensuring that electrical systems integrate seamlessly with other engineering disciplines. Effective communication and coordination are key, as you may also mentor junior engineers and facilitate design reviews to align project goals. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and ensures that complex projects are delivered efficiently and safely.

What is the difference between Principal Electrical Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Electrical EngineerElectrical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in electrical engineering; often advanced certifications or extensive experienceBachelor's degree in electrical engineering; entry to mid-level certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, oversee projects, lead teams in industries like manufacturing, power, or electronicsDesign, develop, test electrical systems, often under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large corporations, consulting firms, and project leadership rolesCommon in engineering firms, manufacturing, and construction projects

The Principal Electrical Engineer typically holds more experience, leadership responsibilities, and advanced certifications compared to an Electrical Engineer. They focus on project oversight, strategic planning, and team leadership, while Electrical Engineers are more involved in technical design and development tasks.

More about Principal Electrical Engineer jobs

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Principal Electrical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Principal Electrical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Principal Electrical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Electrical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Principal Electrical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Electrical Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, and 28% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $159,616 per year, or $76.7 per hour.

Principal Electrical Engineer - Power Plant

Stanley Consultants

Chicago, IL • On-site

$143K - $175K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Job Description
Job Description
Stanley Consultants is an award-winning and industry-leading global consulting engineering firm, with an unmatched commitment to culture, values, and ethics. We are dedicated to client experience and solve the most complex challenges to create a sustainable, connected, and enriched world for all. As the world changes, Stanley strategically evolves with it, integrating the latest technology, innovation, and resiliency practices.
With over a century of experience serving the energy, federal government, transportation, and water sectors, we have helped improve lives and shape the infrastructure systems that connect us. As an employee-owned organization with a People First approach, we stand apart from other engineering consulting and services firms. At Stanley, your voice counts, your growth matters, and your success is our success.
Stanley Consultants offers flexible work options, competitive pay and great benefits, a strong sense of community, and the chance to build a meaningful, long-term career!

Job Title - Principal Electrical Engineer
Location – Any major office or Remote
Job Type – Hybrid or Remote
Requisition ID - 11141
Are you smart-working, motivated, and energetic? Is your passion for electrical engineering contagious? Do you value work/life balance? If this describes you, we are looking for a talented and ambitious Principal Electrical Engineer where you will be an asset to drive our Power Generation, Plant Facilities, and Microgrid Clients.
Stanley Consultants is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer with background in power generation, relay settings, plant facilities design, and microgrid clients.
What You Will Be Doing:
  • Design and layout of design and layout of any / all of the following: power plant site, microgrids and power distribution with medium and low voltage systems, switchgear and motor control centers; computer modeling/analysis of electrical systems; convenience power, lighting systems, grounding, and lightning protection systems.
  • design of schematic and wiring diagrams; preparation of specifications for equipment and systems.
  • Report preparation; determining code requirements; and performing and reviewing design computations.
  • Coordinate technical efforts within discipline areas as necessary.
  • Manage a design budget and schedule.
  • Proficient developing engineering drawings and specifications.
  • Perform and check engineering calculations.
  • Sizing, selecting, and specifying electrical equipment and coordinating information with vendors.
  • Perform project field site visits.
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering
  • Professional Engineer (PE) Registration
  • 10+ Years experience of relevant electrical design experience
  • Proficiency with ETAP, SKM, or similar electrical modeling software
  • Excellent communication skills and willingness to collaborate
  • Self-motivated and adaptable to evolving client, project and industry needs
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Design experience with military bases, central plants, and campus infrastructure
Work-Life Balance
We realize there’s more to life than just work. We help you meet the demands of work, family and personal life through several flexible options.
What we offer:
Member-Owned. Member-ownership is at the heart of our culture, aligning client satisfaction, company performance, and personal reward.
Paid Time Away. Stanley Consultants offers numerous paid holidays, generous paid time off (PTO), parental leave, and professional development leave.
Health Insurance. We provide a comprehensive insurance package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, Doctor On Demand, wellness reimbursement, and mental health resources.
Financial Health. We offer life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, identity theft protection, and many other benefits.
Professional Growth. When your skills grow, so do we, which is why we offer tuition assistance, professional society membership, and more.
Financial Rewards. We share our prosperity with members through company stock ownership, a generous 401K match, incentive compensation, and profit-sharing contributions to retirement 401K plans.
Click Here: A Great Place To Work
Learn more about Stanley Consultants in this short video: Working at Stanley Consultants
Stanley Consultants does not welcome unsolicited resumes from staffing and recruiting agencies. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to Stanley Consultants, including but not limited to resumes submitted directly to Stanley Consultants members, or any of our representatives, will be deemed the property of Stanley Consultants.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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