Electrical Discipline Lead - Design Build (Water/Wastewater)

Jacobs; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Unlimited Paid Time Off (PPTO)

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking an Electrical Discipline Lead to provide technical leadership for electrical systems across water and wastewater facilities in Chicago. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience focused on large and complex projects, a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, and a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Responsibilities include leading engineering teams, overseeing design, and ensuring project delivery excellence. Jacobs offers a competitive salary range of $135,000.00 to $195,000.00 and a hybrid working policy.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive electrical engineering experience focused on water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Proven ability to lead engineering teams while ensuring high-quality, code-compliant designs.
• Strong background in large scale complex water or wastewater infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical direction and delivery excellence for electrical systems across water and wastewater facilities.
• Oversee the development of electrical power distribution systems and ensure integrated designs.
• Mentor and develop teams of supporting electrical engineers and designers.

Skills

Electrical systems design

Team leadership

Client engagement

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we’re reinventing the future of water infrastructure—bringing smarter, safer, and more resilient systems to communities around the world.

As an Electrical Discipline Lead, you will provide technical direction, team leadership, and delivery excellence for electrical systems across water and wastewater facilities. You’ll lead engineering teams responsible for power distribution, motor control, instrumentation interfaces, and backup power systems—while working closely with clients, constructors, and internal partners to deliver innovative, reliable solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Project Leadership

• Serve as the Electrical Discipline Lead for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, including treatment plants, reservoirs, pumping stations, pipelines, and utility facilities.
• Lead the development and review of electrical power distribution systems, MCCs, VFDs, standby power, lighting, grounding, and medium and low‑voltage systems.
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance for calculations, drawings, specifications, and design standards.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, construction partners, instrumentation & controls (I&C), process, mechanical, structural, and civil disciplines to ensure integrated designs.
• Support construction activities, including constructability reviews, submittal reviews, and field coordination.

Design‑Build & Delivery Excellence

• Play a key role in design‑build projects, supporting fast‑paced, collaborative delivery environments.
• Participate in pursuit activities, including technical proposals, schedules, cost development, interviews, and positioning.
• Partner with construction teams and partners to lead the electrical engineering discipline and develop practical, cost‑effective, and maintainable electrical solutions.
• Proactively identify and mitigate technical, schedule, and construction risks.

People & Discipline Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop our teams of supporting electrical engineers and designers across multiple projects.
• Support workforce planning, performance feedback, coaching, and professional development within the electrical discipline.
• Reinforce Jacobs’ standards for quality, safety, ethical practice, and inclusion.
• Contribute to the advancement of discipline best practices, tools, and technical excellence.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Interface directly with internal and external clients, acting as a trusted electrical engineering advisor.
• Participate in client meetings, technical workshops, coordination sessions, and project reviews. Ability to travel approximately 10% of time to client and project sites in the Midwest and Northeast regions.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with owners, contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Support business development by strengthening client confidence and helping identify future opportunities.

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or related field).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 10+ years of progressive electrical engineering experience, with a strong focus on water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience leading electrical scope on large, complex water or wastewater infrastructure projects (design‑build or alternative delivery projects preferred).
• Proven ability to lead and manage engineering teams while delivering high‑quality, code‑compliant designs.
• Strong communication, coordination, and client‑facing skills.

Ideally, you'll also have

• Knowledge of NFPA, NEC, IEEE, and relevant municipal and utility standards.
• Experience with power studies, arc flash analysis, and coordination studies.
• Prior involvement in proposals, pursuits, and client interviews.
• Passion for mentoring and developing engineering talent.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well‑being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full‑time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $135,000.00 to $195,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on April 27, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.