Senior Electrical Engineer

WaterSurplus; Loves Park (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawkins, Inc./WaterSurplus is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to design, direct, and coordinate instrumentation and controls across products, including new equipment, rental fleet, and surplus assets.

You will review customer specs, perform PLC/SCADA programming, develop HMIs, and collaborate with production to meet project requirements; travel 30–35% monthly, including international trips. The role offers growth in a long-established water treatment business.

Qualifications

• High School diploma required; B.S. in Electrical Engineering preferred.
• Minimum of two years’ automation or electrical technology experience preferred.
• Experience in process industry; water/wastewater a plus.

Responsibilities

• Designs or reviews customer specifications to meet project requirements.
• Performs electrical design, PLC programming, wiring, and cabinet design; develops HMIs.
• Selects hardware/software and develops plans for integration; supports installation and startup.

Skills

PLC programming

Electrical design

HMI development

CAD drafting

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Allen Bradley Studio 5000

FactoryTalk View Studio ME/SE

PlantPAx DCS

Winman ERP

Job description

Hawkins, Inc./WaterSurplusis a trusted and well-known leader in the chemical industry for over 80 years. We have opportunities for motivated hard workers to learn and develop a career with ourWater Treatmentbusiness segment. Our route sales/delivery approach to supplying products and equipment to our customers in 27+ states ensures superb customer service and support. Our customers include water and wastewater treatment systems, municipal and commercial swimming pools, industrial process and wastewater facilities, and industries like oil/gas and agricultural farmers/growers.

The Senior Electrical Engineeris responsible fordesigning, directing, and coordinating instruments and controls electrical engineering across all products, including new equipment, rental fleet, surplus assets, and investment recovery.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Designs or reviews customer specifications to ensure project requirements align with company capabilities.
• Completes electrical engineering design, PLC programming and hardware selection, HMI screen development, wiring, and cabinet design, etc.
• Engineers projects by selecting and designing electrical hardware and software, developing detailed plans, and supporting technical integration.
• Negotiates with customers on product designs and changes; presents proposals, reports, and findings.
• Collaborates with functional areas and production staff to meet customer requirements and project specifications.
• Prepares sales estimates for new, rental, service, and surplus contracts; responds to customer inquiries on electrical controls and instrumentation.
• Assists the Electrical Engineering Manager with training, development, workload, and assignments for junior design staff.
• Handles administrative tasks, including reviewing and writing reports, creating purchase requisitions, and approving material or service purchases.
• Can create CAD drawings for wiring and cabinet layouts, or provides sketches/details for CAD staff to create as needed.
• Supports rental startup services, including installation, follow-up service calls, customer training, and system startup to fulfill contract requirements with regards to electrical design and programming.
• Prepares budgets, cost estimates, bids, and contracts for new and existing customers with regard to controls and electrical / instrumentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

ABOUT YOU

• High School diploma required (B.S. in Electrical Engineering is preferred).
• Minimum of two years’ training in automation systems, mechatronics, or electrical technology is preferred.
• Experience in process industry with a preference for water/wastewater industry is desired.
• Comprehensive technical knowledge of all company products and services.
• Experience working in a team environment where teamwork and collaboration are essential to complete the work assignments and attain the goals of the organization.
• Interpersonal skills and abilities to develop and maintain strong internal and external customer and potential customer relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the overall business strategy and make recommendations within the scope of position responsibility.
• Engineering and Technology:
• Practical applications of engineering science and technology, including principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment for designing and producing goods and services.
• Requires strong knowledge of mathematics (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics), physical principles, laws, and applications in fluid, material, atmospheric, mechanical, and electrical processes.
• Tools and Equipment:Ability to use power tools, wrenches, cutters, saws, cement, volt meters, pH/conductivity meters, hand tools, computers, current sources, and power supplies.
• Design:Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and processes for creating precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware/software, including applications and programming.
• Administration and Management: Understanding of business and management principles, including strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of customer service principles, including needs assessment, quality standards, and satisfaction evaluation.
• Production and Processing:Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, cost management, and techniques for efficient manufacturing and distribution.
• Software and Systems Skills:Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, AutoCAD, controls programming software, troubleshooting, and use of personal computers.
• ERP Systems: Winman ERP
• Analytical/Scientific Software & Hardware: PLC programming (Allen Bradley Studio 5000, FactoryTalk View Studio ME/SE, PlantPAx DCS), Siemens, Red Lion, Maple Systems; Fieldbus protocols (Ethernet/IP, IO-Link, Profibus, Profinet, Modbus, HART, AS-i)
• CAD Software: Autodesk AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Pro-E, SolidWorks
• Document Management: Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Project Management: Microsoft Project, Primavera

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Theemployee frequentlyis required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include near and far vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. May lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

TRAVEL:

This position requires approximately 30–35% monthly travel, including potential international trips of 3 or more days per month.

Hawkins/WaterSurplus offers eligible employees and their dependents comprehensive benefits, which includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, LTD/STD and more.Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) match, Employee Stock Purchase program (ESPP), paid time off, and paid holidays.

All applications must be received online. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law. Hawkins is a Drug Free workplace

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.