Lead Electrical Engineer

Sterling Engineering; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) Matching

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer to oversee industrial electrical engineering, facility infrastructure, and project execution at a large-scale manufacturing facility in Chicago.

The role combines hands‑on design, budgeting, installation, and commissioning, with direct supervision of two salaried employees and collaboration with maintenance personnel, contractors, and cross‑functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Proven experience in industrial electrical engineering, with design and capital project execution.
• Experience managing projects from design through commissioning.
• Strong knowledge of 13.8kV/high‑voltage systems, 480V distribution, MCCs, panels.
• Experience with PLCs, SCADA, automation, troubleshooting.
• Experience managing salaried employees and coordinating with contractors.
• Knowledge of NEC/NFPA 70, OSHA, and safety requirements.
• Experience developing budgets, schedules, and RFQs.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design and implementation of industrial projects.
• Manage projects from concept through commissioning and documentation.
• Develop capital budgets, schedules, BOMs, RFQs.
• Oversee 13.8kV/high‑voltage systems and power distribution.
• Provide expertise in PLCs, SCADA, automation, and troubleshooting.
• Supervise two salaried employees and guide performance.
• Coordinate with maintenance and external contractors.
• Ensure compliance with NEC/NFPA 70, OSHA, and safety standards.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to drive improvements.

Skills

Electrical design

Industrial power distribution

Project leadership

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MCCs

Control panels

PLC/SCADA

Job description

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) Matching

About the Role

A leading manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Lead Electrical Engineer to oversee industrial electrical engineering, facility infrastructure, and electrical project execution at a large-scale manufacturing facility.

This individual will play a key role in the design, development, and implementation of electrical systems and capital improvement projects, overseeing initiatives from initial engineering design and budgeting through installation, commissioning, and completion.

In addition to providing technical leadership, this position will directly manage a small team of two salaried employees while coordinating with maintenance personnel, contractors, and cross-functional departments. The ideal candidate will bring strong hands-on electrical engineering expertise, experience implementing complex industrial electrical projects, and a proven ability to manage and develop employees.

This is a highly visible leadership opportunity focused on modernizing electrical infrastructure, improving system reliability, increasing operational efficiency, and supporting long‑term facility improvements.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design and implementation of industrial projects, including developing electrical layouts, specifications, system designs, and engineering solutions for manufacturing equipment and facility infrastructure.
• Manage electrical engineering projects from initial concept and design through budgeting, procurement, installation, commissioning, and final documentation.
• Develop capital budgets, project schedules, material estimates, requests for quotations (RFQs), and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Oversee the design, maintenance, and modernization of 13.8kV/high‑voltage systems, 480V power distribution, motor control centers (MCCs), control panels, and other industrial electrical infrastructure.
• Provide technical expertise in industrial power distribution, PLCs, controls, SCADA, automation, and electrical troubleshooting.
• Directly supervise and manage two salaried employees, providing technical guidance, workload direction, performance management, and professional development.
• Coordinate electrical maintenance activities and outside contractors to ensure projects and facility improvements are completed safely, efficiently, and according to specifications.
• Ensure electrical designs, installations, and maintenance activities comply with NEC/NFPA 70, OSHA, local electrical codes, and applicable industrial safety standards.
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and Safety teams to identify improvement opportunities, resolve electrical issues, and support facility objectives.
• Drive electrical system reliability, preventative and predictive maintenance initiatives, and continuous improvement projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Proven experience in industrial electrical engineering, with a strong background in electrical design, engineering implementation, and capital project execution.
• Demonstrated experience managing industrial electrical projects from design and budgeting through installation and commissioning.
• Strong technical knowledge of 13.8kV/high‑voltage systems, 480V distribution, MCCs, control panels, and industrial electrical infrastructure.
• Experience with PLCs, SCADA, industrial controls, automation, and electrical troubleshooting.
• Previous experience directly managing salaried employees, including assigning responsibilities, providing technical direction, and overseeing employee performance.
• Experience coordinating electrical maintenance teams and outside contractors. Union workforce experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of NEC/NFPA 70, local electrical codes, OSHA, and industrial electrical safety requirements.
• Experience developing capital budgets, project schedules, equipment specifications, material requisitions, and vendor RFQs.
• Strong project management, leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to balance long‑term engineering projects with immediate facility and production support needs.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.