Senior Electrical Engineer

Chemring Energetic Devices; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 103,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Paid time off

Disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Life insurance

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Employer discounts

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

Chemring Energetic Devices in Downers Grove, IL seeks a Senior Electrical Engineer to develop and qualify electronics hardware, focusing on FPGA‑based systems, PCBA design, and full product life cycle support.

The role requires 5+ years in electronic system development, LTSpice and MATLAB/Simulink proficiency, Altium/PADS, and experience with MIL‑STD standards, system integration, testing, and cross‑functional collaboration. Strong documentation and leadership of design reviews are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; Masters preferred.
• 5+ years in electronic system/device development including FPGA‑based hardware.
• 7+ years modeling/simulation using LTSpice and MATLAB/Simulink.
• 7+ years circuit design, component selection, and layout experience.
• Experience in test environments and development of test procedures.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop digital circuitry, including schematic capture and PCB layout for FPGA systems.
• Define PCB stack up, materials, and design rules for performance and manufacturability.
• Perform hardware bring-up, testing, and root-cause analysis with lab equipment.
• Collaborate with PCB Designers, Software, FPGA, and Mechanical teams on system implementation.
• Lead technical meetings (SRR, PDR, CDR, PRR) and maintain test reports and BOMs.

Skills

Digital circuitry design

PCB layout

FPGA design

System integration

Lab bring-up

Altium

LTSpice

MATLAB/Simulink

PADS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Altium

PADS

LTSpice

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Description

As Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) celebrates 50 years of building products that protect our country, protect the individual warfighter, and send rockets into outer space, our growth is creating new opportunities to expand our team with talented individuals who want to shape the next era of mission‑critical innovation.

Description

As Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) celebrates 50 years of building products that protect our country, protect the individual warfighter, and send rockets into outer space, our growth is creating new opportunities to expand our team with talented individuals who want to shape the next era of mission‑critical innovation.

CED is well situated in Downers Grove, Illinois - we are located a commuter train ride west of Chicago and a short drive from farmland.

CED's current salary range for this role is $102,500 to $138,500 / year. At CED, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions may vary based upon, but not limited to education, skills, experience, proficiency, performance, shift, location and geography. In addition to base salary, the total compensation package may also include participation in a bonus, commission or incentive program.

CED’s benefit offerings include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, disability insurance, 401(k) with company match, life insurance and other voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, plus parental leave, adoption assistance, tuition assistance and employer/partner discounts.

• medical
• dental
• vision coverage
• paid time off
• disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• life insurance
• other voluntary supplemental insurance coverages
• parental leave
• adoption assistance
• tuition assistance
• employer/partner discounts
• 9/80 work schedule allowing employees to enjoy alternating Fridays off

Job Summary

The Senior Electrical Engineer is technically responsible for developing new products and supporting existing legacy devices for our electronics product line. The Senior Electrical Engineer will be the specialist for development and qualification of electronic devices with an emphasis on Electronics Hardware/Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) design.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Design and development of digital circuitry, including schematic capture, component selection, circuit simulation, and PCB layout for FPGA-based electrical systems throughout all phases of the product life cycle
• Define PCB stack up, materials, and design rules to meet performance requirements and manufacturing feasibility
• Perform hardware bring-up, test, and root cause analysis on the bench, using common lab equipment
• Work with PCB Designers, Software, FPGA, and Mechanical teams for system-level implementation
• Familiarity with product qualification against specifications such as MIL-STD-461, MIL-1316, MIL-1901 and RCC-319
• Design, build, test, and evaluate electronic prototypes
• Conduct compliance studies on electrical components against parts/material standards
• Act as the technical point of contact and lead internal and customer driven technical meetings consisting of but not limited to System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), Production Readiness Reviews (PRR), and US government safety board reviews
• Create and maintain product test reports, analyses, drawings, installation procedures, inspection procedures, test procedures, test reports, Specifications, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and Statements of Work (SOWs)
• Support legacy production jobs through disposition of nonconforming hardware, updating build documentation, supporting product improvement initiatives, and assisting in failure investigations
• Assist in proposal development by generating and reviewing management, technical, and cost proposal volumes
• Assist with the identification of project risk (cost, schedule, technical) for assigned engineering efforts
• Review customer requests, ensuring that they comply with project contractual agreements and protect against scope creep
• Provide project status updates, both internal and external
• Serve as a resource for early career engineers who seek answers to best‑practice or program‑related questions
• Perform the above functions in relation to project schedules throughout Concept, Design, Development, Pre‑Production, and Production
• Actively participate in Continuous Improvement initiatives

Other Job Functions

• Comply with government and corporate laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Ensure 100% compliance with the Chemring Operational Framework, BACM, Code of Conduct and U.S. Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
• Special projects and other duties / responsibilities as assigned

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; Masters preferred

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years related experience in electronic system/device development, or 7 years equivalent experience and education in lieu of postgraduate degree
• Minimum of 7 years of experience modeling and simulation utilities including LTSpice and MATLAB/Simulink
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in module design including component selection, circuit analysis, circuit design, and layout
• Minimum of 7 years of experience participating in a test environment, including creating test procedures
• Project engineering experience is required

Skills And Qualifications

• Lawful U.S. Person (ITAR restrictions)
• Must be eligible to possess explosives under the Safe Explosives Act of 2003 (as amended) as required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) for all employees of Chemring Energetic Devices.
• Experience and industry knowledge with a background in energetics, prime commercial contractors in the U.S. aerospace, space, and defense industries, preferred, including DoD, NASA, the USAF, and USN desired; experience with similar devices applicable to missiles and space is preferred
• Expertise in rigorous engineering principles and processes is required
• Strong understanding of electrical theory, circuit design, and system integration
• Demonstrated competency in module design including component selection, circuit analysis, circuit design, and layout
• Demonstrated competency with schematic capture and/or board layout utilities including Altium (preferred) and PADS
• Demonstrated competency with modeling and simulation utilities including LTSpice and MATLAB/Simulink
• Demonstrated competency with general design best practices including EMI suppression, ESD protection, and short circuit protection
• Understanding design analysis methods, such as power analysis, circuit tolerance analysis, reliability analysis, and general engineering calculations
• Demonstrated competency in test environments, including test planning, procedure development, and data evaluation; ability to direct and document design and test activities
• Troubleshooting using standard lab equipment including oscilloscopes, function generators, and meters
• Proficiency with engineering software, design tools, and testing equipment
• Familiar with principles of systems engineering
• Knowledge of procedures in a safety‑focused organization and familiarity with HSE fundamentals is required
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience with pyrotechnic devices, energetic materials, or high‑pressure gas systems, preferred
• Sound decision making capabilities with an analytical approach; a degree of creativity and latitude is expected
• Technical thinker but also pragmatic and agile; ability to get involved in detail
• Solid interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate, interact, and influence others

Physical And Other Requirements

Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects, weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally and/or a negligible amount of weight frequently. Involves sitting much of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Routine of computer. May re

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential job functions of this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Employees will be expected to perform other job functions and duties as may be needed and/or required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics.

The “Know Your Rights” Poster is available here: EEOC Know Your Rights

CED’s EEO Policy Statement is available here: CED EEO Policy Statement

CED is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.