Electrical Engineer 1 (Entry Level) - Energy & Industrial (January 2027)
This entry-level Electrical Engineer role at Confidential Client involves working on power and industrial plant electrical systems design, including power distribution and equipment specification, within a collaborative project team. The position emphasizes applying engineering principles alongside modern tools such as automation and AI to deliver efficient, code-compliant designs, with opportunities for professional growth and occasional travel. The role is based in Chicago with a hybrid work schedule requiring in-office presence three days per week.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Confidential Client is seeking an entry-level Electrical Engineer to join their Energy & Industrial team with a target start date of January 2027. This role offers hands-on experience with power plant and industrial electrical systems, working on projects from retrofit and upgrades to new generation installations. The position is hybrid and requires in-office work 3 days per week in Schiller Park, IL.
What You’ll Do
- Work on power distribution design for new and existing plants, including medium- and low-voltage systems (transformers, generators, motors).
- Prepare specifications and bills of material for major electrical equipment and related installation services.
- Support systems coordination to ensure installations meet client requirements, codes, and specifications.
- Produce functional design drawings (single-line diagrams, relay & metering, cable block diagrams, schematics) and documentation for 2D/3D drawing production.
- Perform detailed engineering calculations: auxiliary power studies, voltage drop, protective relay settings, and arc flash analysis.
- Interface with vendors to develop purchase specifications and provide equipment recommendations.
- Participate in design reviews; occasional travel to client/vendor offices and plant sites for construction coordination and field verification.
- Develop technical skills through peer learning and the company’s communities of practice.
Qualifications
Required
- BS or MS in Electrical Engineering (emphasis in power systems preferred).
- Familiarity with medium- and low-voltage distribution design and equipment selection.
- Knowledge of design practices and drafting principles used to produce technical plans and models.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Able to work in-office at the Schiller Park, IL location (hybrid schedule: 3 days/week).
- We do not sponsor employees for U.S. work authorization for this position.
Valued (not required)
- Degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program.
- Passed Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam / Engineer in Training designation.
- Experience in detailed electrical system design within project teams, including equipment selection, control philosophy, calculations, and specifications.
- Experience with scripting or programming (Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations or reporting.
- Training or coursework in computer science, AI, or software engineering that supports automation or agentic AI use in engineering workflows.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range: $62,998 - $90,586.
- Comprehensive benefits including:
- Health: medical, dental, vision
- Life & accident insurance; disability coverage; Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k) plan; pre-tax commuter account
- Tuition assistance; merit scholarships; licensure bonuses
- Paid annual personal/sick time, vacation, holidays, parental leave, and bereavement leave
- Flexible work arrangements and other employee programs
Confidential Client discloses compensation ranges consistent with applicable regulations. Eligible employees may also be considered for discretionary bonuses.
AI & Automation Expectations
- Use modern tools and automation to solve engineering problems and improve workflows.
- Build or use automation to generate calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design materials — applying engineering judgment and verification.
- Programming/scripting skills are valued but not required; sound technical judgment and the ability to verify automated results are essential.
Location & Work Model
- Job location: Schiller Park, IL (hybrid — in-office 3 days/week).
- Occasional travel to client sites and vendor offices may be required.
Additional Notes
- This is an entry-level position ideal for recent graduates or engineers with limited professional experience seeking growth in power systems design.
- Confidential Client is committed to a collaborative team environment and career development through mentorship and technical communities.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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