Lead Electrical Engineer

Summary

The Lead Electrical Engineer, PE is accountable for the successful execution and coordination of complex electrical design projects supporting mission critical, commercial, and institutional facilities. This role supports all project phases, from concept and design development through construction support, while leading, mentoring, and developing a team of engineers.

What you’ll do:

The Lead Electrical Engineer collaborates closely with project managers, designers, clients, contractors, and other internal departments to ensure designs are accurate, code-compliant, constructible, and aligned with project scope, schedule, and budget.

Opportunities exist to be based out of our Oak Brook office, supporting Chicagoland projects, with limited travel to project sites as required.

Technical Leadership:

• Serve as the technical lead for electrical system design, ensuring quality, accuracy, constructability, and code compliance across all project phases.
• Develop and review electrical designs including:
  • Low- and medium-voltage power distribution
  • Generator and UPS systems
  • Lighting and lighting control systems
  • Fire alarm and life safety systems
  • Grounding and bonding systems
• Perform and oversee electrical engineering analyses including:
  • Short circuit, coordination, and arc flash studies
  • Load calculations
  • Cable ampacity and fault current analysis
• Produce and review design deliverables such as one-line diagrams, specifications, equipment schedules, floor plans, and BIM/Revit models.

Project & Team Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a small team electrical engineers, providing technical guidance, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Delegate tasks, establish priorities, and monitor progress to ensure adherence to schedules, budgets, and quality standards.
• Support resource planning and workload forecasting across active projects.
• Conduct internal QA/QC reviews and enforce engineering standards and best practices.

Client & Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Maintain strong working relationships with clients, internal project teams, and external partners.
• Attend and lead design meetings; clearly communicate technical concepts and design intent.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration of electrical systems into overall project delivery.
• Support proposal development, scope definition, and technical input during preconstruction and pursuit phases.

Construction Support:

• Conduct site surveys to assess existing conditions and verify installation progress. (5 – 10% local travel).
• Respond to RFIs, review submittals, and support construction administration activities.
• Provide field and engineering support during commissioning, testing, and startup phases.

Continuous Improvement:

• Stay current with emerging technologies, industry trends, and code updates.
• Contribute to the development of standard design tools, templates, and calculation methods.
• Support initiatives that improve efficiency, consistency, and engineering quality across the organization.

What you’ll need for success:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field with a focus on building electrical systems.
• Minimum 7–10+ years of experience in electrical engineering design for commercial, institutional, or mission critical facilities; data center experience strongly preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required or ability to obtain within 12 months.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and coordinating multi-discipline projects.
• Proficiency in:
  • Revit and AutoCAD
  • SKM, ETAP, or similar electrical modeling software
  • Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Teams)
• Strong working knowledge of NEC, Chicago Electrical Code, NFPA, IBC, IECC, and related standards.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Superior organizational, prioritization, and time-management abilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, influence, and collaborative mindset.
• Ability to travel to project and construction sites as required.

Founded in 1912, Continental Electrical Construction Company is the number one electrical construction company in Chicago and its suburbs, as well as one of the largest in the Midwest. Dozens of landmark structures bear our imprint. From high rises to health care facilities, factories to financial centers, data centers to educational facilities, hotels to recreational and shopping centers, Continental satisfies all electrical construction needs.

Working for Continental Electrical Construction provides:
• Assistance, tools, and resources for success
• A collaborative, engaging, and respectful workplace
• Fulfilling career opportunities and skills development
• A values-based working environment:

E: Everyone United
N: Nurture Communication
E: Enforce Accountability
R: Relationships Matter
G: Growth and Development
Y: You Make the Difference

Continental Electrical Construction offers a competitive salary that may vary based on the scope and responsibilities of the role and the candidate’s relevant experience, education, and skills. We also offer a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with company match; profit sharing; retirement benefits; company-provided life and disability insurance; generous paid time off; paid holidays; parental leave; volunteer time off; tuition assistance; Employee Assistance Program; and company-subsidized wellness programs.

Continental Electrical Construction is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, military status, arrest or conviction record, source of income, or credit history.