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Telecommunication Engineer Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Substation Owner's Engineer

Warrenville, IL · Remote

$101K - $129K/yr

The Substation Owner's Engineer (OE) serves as a senior technical advisor for electrical substation ... gas, and telecommunications infrastructure. We solve complex challenges for clients across North ...

Field Sales Engineer

Cary, IL · On-site

$80K - $125K/yr

We serve various industries, including telecommunications, computing, automotive, broadband communications, and consumer electronics.We are currently seeking a Field Sales Engineer to join our team.

... gas and telecommunication facilities/systems under the guidance of an experienced engineer. Provides consultation and recommendations to the Company within and to other business units and/or ...

Engineer

Oakbrook Terrace, IL · On-site

$84K - $116K/yr

... gas and telecommunication facilities/systems under the guidance of an experienced engineer. Provides consultation and recommendations to the Company within and to other business units and/or ...

Global Applications Engineer

Cary, IL · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

Our products support industries including telecommunications, computing, automotive, broadband communications, and consumer electronics. We are seeking an experienced Global Applications Engineer to ...

Projects could focus on serving as the Application Engineer on projects involving tanks, vessels, compressors, pumps, piping, motors, power distribution, telecommunication, and programmable logic ...

Education in Construction Management, Telecommunications, Engineering, or a related field (bachelor's degree preferred; diploma or technical training accepted) * Strong understanding of telecom ...

Showing results 41-60

Telecommunication Engineer information

See Elgin, IL salary details

$24

$47

$71

How much do telecommunication engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for telecommunication engineer in Elgin, IL is $47.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37.79 and $58.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a telecommunication engineer?

To thrive as a Telecommunication Engineer, you need expertise in network design, signal processing, and telecommunications protocols, typically supported by a degree in electrical or telecommunications engineering. Familiarity with tools such as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, CAD software, and certifications like Cisco CCNA or CompTIA Network+ is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for designing, optimizing, and maintaining robust communication systems that support reliable connectivity and business operations.

What are some common challenges telecommunication engineers face when working on large-scale network deployments?

Telecommunication Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple teams, managing tight project timelines, and ensuring compatibility between new and legacy systems during large-scale network deployments. Troubleshooting complex integration issues and minimizing downtime while upgrading or expanding networks are also key concerns. Effective communication and strong project management skills are essential to navigate these obstacles and deliver reliable, high-performance solutions.

What is the difference between Telecommunication Engineer vs Network Engineer?

AspectTelecommunication EngineerNetwork Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Telecommunications, Electronics, or Electrical Engineering; certifications like CCNA, CCNPBachelor's in Computer Science, Networking, or related; certifications like CCNA, CCNP
Work EnvironmentDesigning, installing, maintaining telecommunication systems like fiber optics, satellite, and wireless networksConfiguring, managing, and troubleshooting computer networks and infrastructure
Industry UsageTelecom providers, satellite companies, infrastructure firmsIT firms, internet service providers, corporate networks

While both roles involve network systems, Telecommunication Engineers focus on communication infrastructure like fiber optics and satellite systems, whereas Network Engineers primarily manage computer and data networks. Both require similar certifications and often work in overlapping environments, but their specific technical focus differs.

What jobs can a telecommunication engineer do?

A telecommunication engineer can work in designing, installing, and maintaining communication systems such as telephone networks, internet infrastructure, wireless networks, and satellite communications. They often work for telecom companies, technology firms, or government agencies, utilizing skills in network configuration, signal processing, and system troubleshooting. Certifications like CCNA or Cisco are common, and roles may include network analyst, systems engineer, or field technician.

What does a telecommunication engineer do?

A Telecommunication Engineer is responsible for designing, installing, and maintaining telecommunication systems and networks. They work with a range of technologies including fiber optics, wireless networks, satellite communications, and data transmission systems. Their tasks often involve troubleshooting network issues, upgrading equipment, ensuring network security, and optimizing communication infrastructure to support efficient data flow. Telecommunication Engineers play a critical role in keeping businesses and individuals connected through reliable voice, video, and data services.
What are popular job titles related to Telecommunication Engineer jobs in Elgin, IL? For Telecommunication Engineer jobs in Elgin, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Telecommunication Engineer jobs in Elgin, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Telecommunication Engineer jobs in Elgin, IL are:
What cities near Elgin, IL are hiring for Telecommunication Engineer jobs? Cities near Elgin, IL with the most Telecommunication Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Telecommunication Engineer job openings in Elgin, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,545 per year, or $47.9 per hour.

Lead Substation Engineer 1 - Grid

Sargent & Lundy

Warrenville, IL • On-site

$118K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 hours ago


Sargent & Lundy rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

123rd of 447 rated engineering


Job description

Description
This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your knowledge of protective relaying and controls systems for HV and EHV substations. As a Lead Substation Engineer, you will:
  • Lead of an engineering and design team, you will work on a wide range of substation modifications and upgrades to support client requirements and reviews including creating calculations, document designs, and specifications.
  • Prepare relaying philosophies, including selecting relay, control, and communications equipment, developing SCADA and telecommunication concepts and configurations, and overseeing the preparation of I/O assignments and connection diagrams.
  • Guide junior and senior-level engineers and designers in protection and controls engineering design efforts, including providing guidance with the coordination of detailed design phases for all aspects of the engineering work.
  • Support assignments that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of engineering issues.
  • Perform analysis and design of single line diagrams, substation relaying & metering diagrams (i.e. A.C. schematic diagrams), and D.C. Schematic diagrams.
  • Prepare engineering studies for client and peer review.
  • Perform independent reviews of work performed by others including calculations and drawing preparation.
  • Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design.
  • Perform reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements, and present findings and recommendations to clients and peers.
  • Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of Sargent & Lundy's systems of process and associated "Communities of Practice."
  • Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
  • There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.

Qualifications
Qualifications:
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
  • This position requires a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree.
  • 10 or more years experience with a focus on protection / control / telecommunications for high voltage substations; including design, installation, and coordination.
  • PE license.
  • Experience with serving as firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role.
  • Experience in writing and providing support documentation for relay calculations.
  • Experience with the design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Proficiency with any of the following programs: SKM, ETAP, ASPEN, CDEGS, or vendor software.
  • Familiarity with design codes and standards, such as NEC, NESC, NEMA, IEEE and ANSI.
  • Experience with various vendor protective relay equipment typically used in substation protection, including SEL, ABB, GE, Areva, and Basler.
  • Proficiency with MS Office applications.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Valued but not required skills and experience:
  • A Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering degree is preferrable.
  • A degree from an ABET accredited engineering program.
  • Prior experience is desirable to include in-line, bus and equipment protection, breaker, transformer and similar equipment control, RTU and data concentrator based SCADA systems, telemetering and communications (fiber optics, microwave, power line carrier, etc.).
  • AutoCAD or MicroStation experience.
  • Construction and start-up experience.
  • Testing or commissioning experience.

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy
In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools:
  • You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
  • Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
  • Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
  • We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.

Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance
  • Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Life & Accident Insurance
  • Disability Coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Back-Up Daycare
  • FSA & HSA
  • 401(k)
  • Pre-Tax Commuter Account
  • Merit Scholarship Program
  • Employee Discount Program
  • Corporate Charitable Giving Program
  • Tuition Assistance
  • First Professional Licensure Bonus
  • Employee Referral Bonus
  • Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Bereavement Leave
  • Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range
$118,023 - $180,313
Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.

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About Sargent & Lundy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Sargent & Lundy is one of the most experienced full-service architect-engineering firms in the world. Founded in 1891, the firm is a global leader in power and energy with expertise in grid modernization, renewable energy, energy storage, nuclear power, and fossil fuels. Sargent & Lundy delivers comprehensive project services--from consulting, design and implementation to construction management, commissioning and operations/maintenance--with an emphasis on quality and safety. The firm serves public and private sector clients in the power and energy, gas distribution, industrial, and government sectors.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1891

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