Electrical Designer Apprentice

Burns & McDonnell; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 26,932 - 31,478; Part time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is offering Designer Apprenticeships in Chicago for aspiring students in the engineering field. Responsibilities include preparing and revising drawings, adhering to drafting standards, and learning design practices in a team-centric environment. Candidates should pursue an associate degree in Applied Science, preferably with CAD coursework. A competitive hourly wage and flexible hours during core business operate from Monday to Friday. This apprenticeship allows eligibility for full-time positions after successful completion of the program.

Qualifications

• Some CAD coursework preferred.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 strongly preferred.
• Passion for success and ownership of tasks.

Responsibilities

• Revise and prepare drawings from verbal or written instructions.
• Learn and follow drafting standards and procedures.
• Engage in teamwork and contribute to design practices.

Skills

Team communication

CAD proficiency

Ambition

Education

Associate degree in Applied Science

Job description

The Designer Apprenticeships provides an incredible opportunity to leverage your drafting skills to learn the design and engineering process of a variety of engineering disciplines. We are offering year-long positions, providing salary, training, and a flexible schedule with an opportunity to achieve Employee Ownership at the end of the program!

The Work:

Our Designer Apprentices are responsible for revising and preparing drawings of basic components from explicit verbal or written instructions and detailed sketches. This position successfully plots drawings; learns and follows company and client drafting standards and procedures; and, most importantly, learns the engineering and design practices of their selected business line.

The Transmission & Distribution group is responsible for the planning and design of electrical transmission projects in power delivery, including overhead transmission, underground transmission, distribution systems, substation design, telecommunication & network engineering, pipelines, renewable power integration, security, grid modernization and more.

Here’s what you need:

• Pursuing an associate degree in the Applied Science, focus on Computer Automated
• Minimum of 3.0 GPA strongly preferred
• Ambition to do more than drafting with the skills you learn in the classroom and in the office.
• Communication skills that make it easy for you to operate successfully on a team.
• Engagement and ownership of any task put in front of you.
• Passion for success!

Drafting and Design (CAD) is preferred.

Earn:

A competitive hourly wage while you learn a lucrative skill set

Learn:

Enrollment in an academic program during the apprenticeship is program mandatory. Associate in Applied Science degree program in Computer-Aided Drafting or related program preferred

Education Requirements:

Some CAD coursework preferred

Hours Per Week:

25 – 35 (flexible, but fixed schedule during company’s core business hours, Monday-Friday 7am-6pm)

Location

On-site in Downtown Chicago Office, not a remote position

Apprenticeship Term:

6 Months - 1 Year, with eligibility for full-time employment after successful completion of program.

START DATE

Early Spring 2026

Wage

$19.55-$22.85/hr

Other Eligibility Requirements:

Subject to criminal background checks and drug screening; must be eligible for work in the US

At Burns & McDonnell, the Design Technology team is not just CAD anymore! Our team has a strong, goal-oriented focus on developing the next generation of designers, coordinators, and technologists. These team-members are pivotal in the engineering and construction of high voltage electrical substations, including layout, power system analysis, and control/relay design, designing high voltage transmission structures, low voltage distribution networks, gas pipeline infrastructure, and much more. Our Design Technology team is blazing new trails and driving a culture of innovation at Burns & McDonnell, providing unlimited opportunities for growth and exploration into project execution as well as the ever-expanding world of new technologies.