Electrical Engineer Co-Op

S&C Electric Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 46,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)

Job summary

S&C Electric Company in Chicago is seeking an Electrical Engineer Co-op to support New Product Validation and Reliability. You will plan, design, and report reliability tests for electrical, electronic, and electromechanical products used in power distribution and smart-grid applications.

Under the guidance of experienced engineers, you will contribute to Design for Reliability activities, reliability test planning, test automation, fixture design, data collection, and technical reporting,

Qualifications

• In-progress degree in Electrical Engineering returning to school after co-op.
• Interest in reliability engineering, product validation, test engineering, embedded systems, or automation.
• Coursework or experience with circuit analysis, electronics, microcontrollers, programming, sensors, instrumentation, or data acquisition.
• Familiarity with C, C++, Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Arduino, or similar platforms.
• Ability to read schematics, perform basic electrical measurements, and use laboratory equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Curiosity, attention to detail, willingness to learn, and safe hands-on work.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and execution of Design for Reliability plans for new product development programs.
• Support reliability test planning by estimating sample sizes, test durations, and conditions.
• Participate in reliability activities such as environmental stress testing and accelerated life testing.
• Design, build, modify, and document test fixtures for reliability testing.
• Develop embedded or microcontroller-based test automation to sequence tests and collect data.
• Support circuit board layout, prototype wiring, sensor integration, and test interfaces.
• Set up and operate test equipment including chambers, oscilloscopes, and data acquisition systems.
• Collect, organize, and analyze test data to identify trends and potential weaknesses.
• Document test procedures, setups, observations, results, and conclusions.
• Collaborate with reliability engineers, design engineers, and cross-functional teams.
• Follow safety and calibration requirements in the lab.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Python

C++

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Arduino

Education

In-progress degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Data acquisition systems

Test fixtures

Microcontrollers

Job description

Job Summary

At S&C Electric Company, a 100% employee‑owned company, we help keep the lights on for people and businesses worldwide. Our manufacturing roles build the equipment that protects the critical infrastructure of the power grid, and each of our team members lends their unique skills to this crucial mission. We empower our people by providing pathways to a long‑term career and support them in their professional growth by sustaining a culture founded on respect, strengthened by collaboration, and measured by our shared successes. The manufacturing industry is booming with opportunities to learn new things, expand your skills, and build a long‑term career. Join S&C to make an impact on tomorrow’s energy challenges and become an employee‑owner!

Available Shift

1st shift: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday

Full-Time Fall 2026 Co-Op

At S&C, we are dedicated to providing competitive and equitable compensation for all our team members, and we are committed to transparency in our pay practices. The estimated per hourly range for this position is $22 - 30 per hour based on experience.

Competitive Weekly Pay Period

S&C Electric Company is looking for an Electrical Engineer Co-op to support the New Product Validation and Reliability team in Chicago, Illinois. This role provides hands‑on experience in planning, designing, executing, and reporting reliability tests for electrical, electronic, and electromechanical products used in power distribution and smart‑grid applications. The co‑op will work under the guidance of experienced engineers and mentors while contributing to Design for Reliability activities, reliability test planning, test automation, fixture design, data collection, and technical reporting. The co‑op will report to the Senior Manager – New Product Validation & Reliability and will work primarily on‑site at S&C’s Chicago facility.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and execution of Design for Reliability plans for new product development programs.
• Support reliability test planning by helping estimate sample sizes, test durations, acceleration factors, test conditions, and required test resources.
• Participate in reliability activities such as environmental stressor assessment, accelerated step‑stress testing, accelerated life testing, temperature cycling, temperature‑humidity testing, vibration testing, and reliability demonstration testing.
• Design, build, modify, and document test fixtures used to operate and monitor products during reliability testing.
• Develop embedded or microcontroller‑based test automation to sequence tests, control fixtures, collect measurements, and improve repeatability.
• Support circuit board layout, prototype wiring, sensor integration, signal conditioning, and test interface development.
• Set up and operate test equipment such as thermal chambers, humidity chambers, vibration shakers, power supplies, data acquisition systems, oscilloscopes, multimeters, and automated test systems.
• Collect, organize, and analyze test data to identify trends, anomalies, failure modes, and potential design weaknesses.
• Document test procedures, test setups, observations, results, and conclusions in clear engineering reports.
• Work closely with reliability engineers, design engineers, test architects, laboratory personnel, and cross‑functional project teams.
• Follow laboratory safety practices, test procedures, calibration requirements, and documentation expectations when working around electrical and mechanical test equipment.

Requirements

• In‑progress degree program from an accredited university/college program with a concentration in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related engineering discipline and returning to school after the work session.
• Interest in reliability engineering, product validation, test engineering, embedded systems, power electronics, electromechanical systems, or automation.
• Coursework or experience with circuit analysis, electronics, microcontrollers, programming, sensors, instrumentation, or data acquisition is preferred.
• Familiarity with programming languages or tools such as C, C++, Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Arduino, or similar platforms is helpful.
• Ability to read schematics, perform basic electrical measurements, troubleshoot test setups, and work with laboratory equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document test results clearly and accurately.
• Curiosity, attention to detail, willingness to learn, and ability to work safely in a hands‑on engineering environment.

Major Physical Demands

• Office-based analysis and documentation with laboratory-based test setup, troubleshooting, and execution.
• May work near energized equipment, moving mechanical systems, environmental chambers, and vibration equipment.

S&C Electric is committed to equal-opportunity employment. All employees and applicants will be considered without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to complete the application, please email us at [e-mail] .

About Us

In 1909, S&C Electric Company transformed the delivery of safe, reliable electricity with the invention of the Liquid Power Fuse. Today, as the world faces extreme weather events and the demand for electricity grows, S&C continues to innovate and advance the electrical grid, ensuring reliable and resilient power for homes, communities, and critical infrastructure around the world.

With a diverse, global workforce and core values around integrity, safety, and quality, S&C is a trusted industry leader and top workplace that offers meaningful careers to more than 3,500 team members. As a people‑first organization, S&C is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace where team members advance their careers through robust talent‑development programs and involved leadership.

S&C’s deeply rooted belief diversity fosters greater creativity, innovation, and success guides the company to advance and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.

Benefits

• Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical & Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, , Health Savings Account (HSA), Group Life Insurance, optional Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, Wellbeing Resources including Employee Assistance Program and Family Forming Benefits (i.e., Adoption and Fertility support)
• Leave Benefits: Vacation Time, Sick Time, Paid Holidays and Company Shutdown days, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves, Paid Parental Time and Military Leave

Retirement Benefits: 401(k) Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (KSOP) offering traditional and Roth 401(k) options and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) component; KSOP participants can receive annual ESOP company contributions of over 11% of eligible earnings (3% Core, up to 3.5% Match, Variable Periodic).