PERLab Associate- Electronics

Kearney; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Comprehensive benefits

Learning & development support

Job summary

Kearney is seeking an Associate to own defined work streams within Electronics engagements in Chicago. You will translate broad objectives into actionable hypotheses, research and analysis, driving client-ready recommendations.

With 4+ years in management consulting or related roles, you will analyze product costs, sourcing, and supply chain, while collaborating with engineers and clients to create practical value and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Typically 4+ years of professional experience in management consulting or a relevant industry role.
• Meaningful exposure to electronics, hardware products, semiconductors, embedded systems, product engineering, product cost, sourcing, supply chain or other electronics-enabled products.
• Strong quantitative analysis, research, structured problem solving and synthesis, with evidence of independently closing knowledge gaps and determining the next step.
• Evidence of professional maturity, dependable execution and clear communication.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, listen to other perspectives and act on feedback.
• Ability to distinguish between subject-matter knowledge and the broader client problem; does not force every question into a familiar functional framework.
• Comfort working with ambiguity, managing multiple priorities and maintaining a high standard of analytical quality.
• Undergraduate degree required; MBA preferred. Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering or another relevant technical degree is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own defined work streams end-to-end, translating broad objectives into the context, hypotheses, research and analysis needed to reach an answer.
• Conduct product, market, competitor, customer, cost and supplier analyses and build supporting business cases.
• Analyze product architectures, component choices, cost structures, sourcing strategies and competitive benchmarks.
• Work with India-based engineers to define technical analyses, test hypotheses, interpret results and identify business implications.
• Develop structured storylines, clear exhibits and executive-ready recommendations.
• Present findings in client meetings and facilitate portions of working sessions and workshops.
• Manage and coach junior team members and contribute to a high-performing team environment.
• Learn new product and technology domains rapidly, including through disciplined use of AI, without over-relying on prior expertise or unvalidated AI outputs.
• Translate technical and quantitative findings into implications for product design, cost, sourcing, supply chain and value creation.
• Contribute to proposals, knowledge development and the continued growth of the PERLab Electronics practice.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Problem solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Self-direction

Leadership

Education

Undergraduate degree

MBA preferred

Engineering degree preferred

Job description

As a PERL Associate at Kearney, you will own defined work streams within Electronics engagements. You will combine rigorous analysis, tangible product or technology understanding, self-direction and strong communication to convert complex market and technical information into practical client recommendations. You will work closely with experienced consultants, clients and technical specialists to develop insights that support better product, cost, sourcing and supply-chain decisions.

In this role, you will be a structured problem solver who can close knowledge gaps independently, determine the next step and connect detailed analysis to the client decision that matters. You will stay hands-on in the analysis while building the judgment, communication and team leadership skills needed to grow in consulting. Management consulting experience is strongly preferred, but exceptional industry candidates with clear consulting potential may also be considered.

What you will do

• Own defined work streams end-to-end, translating broad objectives into the context, hypotheses, research and analysis needed to reach an answer.
• Conduct product, market, competitor, customer, cost and supplier analyses and build supporting business cases.
• Analyze product architectures, component choices, cost structures, sourcing strategies and competitive benchmarks.
• Work with India-based engineers to define technical analyses, test hypotheses, interpret results and identify business implications.
• Develop structured storylines, clear exhibits and executive-ready recommendations.
• Present findings in client meetings and facilitate portions of working sessions and workshops.
• Manage and coach junior team members and contribute to a high-performing team environment.
• Learn new product and technology domains rapidly, including through disciplined use of AI, without over-relying on prior expertise or unvalidated AI outputs.
• Translate technical and quantitative findings into implications for product design, cost, sourcing, supply chain and value creation.
• Contribute to proposals, knowledge development and the continued growth of the PERLab Electronics practice.

What you bring

• Typically 4+ years of professional experience in management consulting or a relevant industry role.
• Meaningful exposure to electronics, hardware products, semiconductors, embedded systems, product engineering, product cost, sourcing, supply chain or other electronics-enabled products.
• Strong quantitative analysis, research, structured problem solving and synthesis, with evidence of independently closing knowledge gaps and determining the next step.
• Evidence of professional maturity, dependable execution and clear communication.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, listen to other perspectives and act on feedback.
• Ability to distinguish between subject-matter knowledge and the broader client problem; does not force every question into a familiar functional framework.
• Comfort working with ambiguity, managing multiple priorities and maintaining a high standard of analytical quality.
• Undergraduate degree required; MBA preferred. Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering or another relevant technical degree is strongly preferred.

Who You Are

After 100 years, we know this business is fundamentally about making connections—between facts, figures, insights, strategies, tools, technologies, and above all, people. That’s why we look for collaborative, insightful, and inquisitive problem-solvers who don’t accept the first thing in front of them and who are always unapologetically themselves.

What we can offer you

Every day, our people work to be the difference for our clients, our communities, and our colleagues. Helping them to make an impact, they are sustained by a competitive remuneration package plus comprehensive benefits and perks, including but not limited to:

• Generous retirement/pension saving contributions
• Comprehensive medical insurance for employees and their families
• Structured and on-the-job learning and development opportunities
• Personalized opportunities to help you chart a unique journey to pursue your own personal and professional goals

Compensation and benefits

It is important to note that at Kearney, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role. Individual salaries within each range are determined through a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills. Kearney reviews compensation regularly and may adjust base salaries to reflect market competitiveness. In addition to salary, individuals may be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus. Our full suite of benefits includes paid time off, paid sick leave, 401(k) match and profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, healthcare concierge services, backup child/adult care, annual employer HSA contributions, a home office stipend, subsidized gym membership, an annual wellness program, and leaves of absence when needed to support employees’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination

Kearney prides itself on providing a culture where our employees belong and thrive equally, which means our people feel comfort, confidence, and joy as they do great things for our firm, our colleagues, and our clients. That’s why Kearney is committed to building a diverse workforce and inclusive environment. Kearney is an equal opportunity employer; we recruit, hire, train, promote, develop, and provide other conditions of employment without regard to a person’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences consistent with applicable laws. This includes providing reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. We encourage everyone to apply, including those who may not feel historically represented in consulting.