Chief Electrical Engineer

Chief Electrical Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a highly experienced and hands-on Chief Electrical Engineer to serve as a key technical leader within our organization. This position will play a critical role in supporting the transition and eventual succession of our long-tenured Chief Engineer. The ideal candidate will be a well-rounded engineering professional who thrives in a small-company environment and enjoys wearing multiple hats.

Responsibilities

• Design and troubleshoot analog and digital electronic circuits.

• Develop and modify electronic schematics and PCB designs.

• Support PCB layout activities using Altium and related tools.

• Perform product testing, validation, and root cause analysis.

• Provide engineering support for manufacturing and production operations.

• Serve as a technical liaison between customers and internal teams.

• Support new product introduction and existing product improvements.

• Assist with component selection, substitutions, and obsolescence management.

• Ensure designs and manufacturing processes comply with IPC and applicable UL requirements.

• Develop and maintain technical documentation, work instructions, and engineering procedures.

• Lead and manage engineering-related projects from concept through production.

• Support quality initiatives, corrective actions, and process improvements.

• Provide hands-on troubleshooting and repair support as needed.

• Assist with general facility, equipment, and IT-related technical needs.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE).

• 10+ years of experience in electronics design and manufacturing environments.

• Strong knowledge of PCB design and schematic development.

• Experience with Altium Designer and AutoCAD.

• Experience with electronics testing, validation, and troubleshooting.

• Knowledge of IPC standards and electronic manufacturing processes.

• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.

• Experience supporting customers and cross-functional teams.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Excellent communication and project management skills.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• A passion for hands-on electronics and solving complex technical problems.

• Comfortable moving between engineering design, shop floor support, project management, and customer-facing discussions.

• Ability to contribute to a collaborative, family-oriented culture.

Work Environment

The work environment is a small-company setting that values collaboration and a family-oriented culture. The role requires an ability to move seamlessly between various functions, including engineering design, shop floor support, project management, and customer interactions. The position involves a mix of technical and leadership responsibilities, making it ideal for someone who enjoys a diverse and dynamic workday.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Bensenville, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $85.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Bensenville,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.