Risevoic
Lead Electrical Engineer 1 - Nuclear
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Chicago, IL, 60603
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 12 January 2026
Description
This role offers a hybrid work arrangement. You'll spend three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days.
You will be leading the group on interesting and challenging projects that include investigating, troubleshooting, and solving a wide variety of electrical engineering issues to support single and multi-discipline projects. The majority of the projects performed for our clients require multi-discipline interface and coordination.
Responsibilities include:
- Lead efforts performed by group members to ensure successful completion of electrical engineering project deliverables to meet all technical, quality, financial and project controls expectations
- Initiating and conveying scope of work to group members
- Defining deliverables (i.e. calcs, specs, drawings, design change etic…)
- Reviewing status and tracking progress of group members to maintain project scope/budget and keep client informed
- Routine status meetings
- Submitting progress reports
- Tracking and resolving open items and emergent project issues
- Coordinating completion of project deliverables
- Lead the team for the detailed design phases for all aspects of electrical engineering work to include interface and coordination with other disciplines
- Develop project scope, cost estimates, and schedules for complex electrical modifications at nuclear power plants
- Develop proposals for complex electrical modifications at nuclear power plants
- Provide technical oversight and supervision for all electrical engineering activities to include:
- Engineering design change packages to install, replace or upgrade existing plant equipment to ensure long-term equipment reliability
- Engineering calculations in support of design change packages, including AC and DC power studies, short circuit, cable ampacity, voltage drop, breaker coordination, motor starting and protective relay settings
- Equipment procurement specifications
- Bid review evaluation process for potential equipment vendors, to include supporting vendor requests for additional information, developing responses to vendor questions, and maintaining a tracking mechanism for questions/responses
- Interface with the client, including implementing personnel to validate scope and ensure client satisfaction
- Mentor and guide the development of the group
- Identify and follow up on client needs that may result in strategic opportunities
- Leverage good client relationships to develop follow-on work from existing clients
- Prepare/Coordinate multi-discipline proposals
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
- A BSEE degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
- Ten or more years’ experience in the design of electrical engineering systems for nuclear power plants
- Three or more years experience in leading an engineering design group through all phases of a project design
- Experience in the selection of equipment, materials, and the preparation and assembling of engineering design change packages, calculations, and specifications
- Experience with serving as firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role
- Experience with electrical system design including low and medium voltage distribution systems (transformers, generators, motor, relays, etc…)
- Effective written and verbal communication skills to convey information to project team members and client
- Proficiency with MS Office applications
- Detail oriented approach to work
- Capable of being badged for unescorted access to a nuclear station
- PE Licensure is preferred
#INDEEDSL
Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Compensation Range
$116,620.00 - $179,890.00Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.About This Business Unit
Join Sargent & Lundy's Nuclear Power Group and be part of a team driving the future of clean, carbon-free energy. Since 1954, we’ve been a trusted leader in nuclear engineering, design, and licensing, with expertise spanning small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactor technology (ART), and first-of-a-kind commercial reactor restart projects. Our work supports life extensions and digital modernization of existing nuclear plants, coal-to-nuclear conversion initiatives with the Department of State, and international nuclear new-build projects. With a commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability, we provide cutting-edge solutions that power communities worldwide while reducing emissions. Shape the future of global energy with us!
Awards & Recognition
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.
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Frequently asked questions
Leading multi-disciplinary electrical engineering projects in nuclear settings requires strong coordination skills, technical oversight, and the ability to mentor team members. In Chicago, professionals must navigate complex project scopes while ensuring regulatory compliance and client satisfaction, making leadership a pivotal aspect of this role.
Expertise in low-medium voltage systems, power studies, and protective relay settings is crucial. Candidates should have hands-on experience designing electrical modifications for nuclear power plants, along with skills in equipment procurement and engineering calculations to maintain plant safety and reliability.
Yes, professionals often progress to senior engineering or managerial roles by leading complex projects and developing multidisciplinary coordination skills. Chicago's nuclear sector values experience in design leadership and client engagement, which opens doors to strategic and technical leadership opportunities.
Sargent & Lundy provide hybrid work schedules, comprehensive healthcare, and award-winning benefits like tuition assistance and flexible PTO. Their focus on employee well-being and work-life balance makes them an attractive employer for engineers seeking stability and growth in Chicago's nuclear industry.
This role drives critical design phases for nuclear power plant modifications, interfacing with clients and multiple disciplines. At Sargent & Lundy, the engineer plays a strategic part in advancing clean energy initiatives, including SMRs and digital modernization, ensuring the company’s leadership in nuclear innovation.
Salaries range from $116,620 to $179,890, aligning with Chicago’s demand for highly experienced nuclear electrical engineers. This reflects the specialized skills required and competitive compensation packages offered to retain talent in a city with a significant nuclear power industry presence.
Chicago’s proximity to multiple nuclear facilities and ongoing modernization projects creates steady demand for electrical engineers skilled in nuclear systems. The local job market favors candidates with strong regulatory knowledge and the ability to manage multidisciplinary engineering efforts.
Chicago’s traffic congestion and public transit variability can impact daily commutes. A hybrid model allowing two remote workdays reduces travel burden, increases flexibility, and supports work-life balance, which is especially beneficial for senior engineers balancing project leadership and personal commitments.
A Professional Engineer (PE) license is highly valued, enhancing credibility and leadership potential. Additionally, security clearances or badging for nuclear plant access are critical for unescorted entry, reflecting industry compliance and safety standards essential in Illinois nuclear facilities.
Managing interfaces between electrical systems and other engineering disciplines requires resolving complex design changes, ensuring compatibility, and maintaining stringent safety standards. Overcoming these challenges demands strong problem-solving skills and effective communication within diverse project teams.