Senior Validation Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Nexus Engineering Group is employee-owned, full-service, and built by the people who do the work. As a Senior Power System Studies Engineer, you’ll own the analytical studies that keep industrial power systems safe, reliable, and compliant — and help set the standard for how Nexus delivers them.

You’ll lead power system studies for industrial clients — building and validating models in ETAP (and EasyPower or SKM), running the analysis, and producing the detailed reports clients rely on. As a senior member of the team, you’ll own studies end-to-end, serve as a technical point of contact for clients, review and mentor junior engineers, and help shape Nexus’s study methodology and standards. Your work is reviewed by the discipline manager before it reaches the client — and increasingly, you’ll be the one performing that review for others.

You’ll own a piece of what you build. Nexus is employee-owned through our ESOP, so the value you help create comes back to you — not just outside shareholders. We give senior engineers real ownership of the work and a voice in how it’s done.

What you can expect:

• Employee ownership (ESOP) — build equity in the firm as it grows
• Ownership of high-impact studies for industrial clients
• A senior seat — shape methodology, mentor engineers, and work directly with clients
• Full-service EPCm exposure, from concept through startup, across a diverse client base
• A clear path toward lead, principal, and discipline leadership
• Flexible work arrangements where business needs allow

• Lead and own power system studies end-to-end — scoping, modeling, analysis, quality control, and the final client-ready report.
• Build and validate models in ETAP, EasyPower, or SKM Power*Tools, as the study requires.
• Perform the full range of studies: load flow, short-circuit, arc-flash, protective device and relay coordination.
• Additional studies as required include dynamic and/or static motor-starting, harmonics, ground grid analysis, transient stability, and lightning analysis.
• Create and analyze relay setting files and coordinate protection schemes.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for clients — scoping work, gathering data, and presenting findings and recommendations.
• Review and QC studies produced by junior engineers, and mentor them on modeling, analysis, and standards.
• Help develop and maintain Nexus’s study templates, methodology, and quality standards.
• Travel occasionally (2–3 times per year, up to a week) to client facilities to gather field data alongside other Nexus personnel.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years of experience performing power system studies for industrial clients.
• Advanced, hands-on proficiency in ETAP, EasyPower or SKM including building and validating models to complete studies.
• Deep command of the core study types — load flow, short-circuit, arc-flash, protective device and relay coordination, motor-starting, and harmonics — and the calculation methods behind them.
• Proven ability to own studies independently, from scoping through client-ready deliverables.
• Working knowledge of applicable standards, such as IEEE 1584, IEEE 3000 Series (formerly Color Books), and NFPA 70 & 70E.
• Strong written communication and reporting skills, plus working proficiency in Excel and the Microsoft Office suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or active progress toward licensure.
• Experience with additional analysis tools such as PSS®E, PSCAD, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, Cyme, Aspen Oneliner or EMTP.
• Transient stability, dynamic, or utility interconnection study experience.
• Master’s degree in Power Systems, Electric Power, or Energy Systems.
• Experience mentoring engineers and supporting proposals and estimating.

This position primarily involves office-based (hybrid) engineering and analysis work. This role may require:

• Occasional travel, typically 2–3 times per year, up to about a week per trip
• Visits to client facilities to gather field data alongside other Nexus personnel
• The ability to work in industrial or utility environments, wearing appropriate PPE, when required

The posted salary range represents the anticipated base pay for this position in accordance with applicable pay-transparency requirements and may vary based on experience, qualifications, skills, certifications, work location, and market conditions.

In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) — an ownership stake and a share in the long-term success of Nexus
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match and discretionary bonus opportunities
• Paid time off, holidays, and paid parental leave
• Professional development and career advancement — training, certifications, licensure support, tuition assistance, and mentorship
• Wellness benefits and a flexible schedule where business needs allow