Principal Staff Electrical Engineer

Job overview

The Principal Staff Electrical Engineer role is a 100% onsite position primarily in Lake Zurich, IL. The posting states a base salary range of $120,000–$150,000 and notes occasional travel to laboratories in the Chicago region may be required, under 25% of the time. The role supports Astronics electrical engineering and manufacturing teams. The engineer designs and verifies electrical systems and printed circuit board assemblies, with particular focus on EMI/EMC qualification and troubleshooting. The role also provides technical leadership, mentoring, and design guidance to support compliant product development and transfer into manufacturing.

What you'll do

• Design PCBAs and electrical system architectures
• manage bills of material, revisions, and configuration
• debug hardware
• develop verification tests, reports, and scripts
• select and use test equipment
• support assembly and rework as needed
• mentor engineers and interns
• guide Ukraine-based engineers and CAD specialists
• improve design processes
• support manufacturing transfer, regulatory testing, audits, and cross-functional programs.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

principal staff electrical engineer

electrical engineering

emi/emc

pcba design

pcb layout

hardware debug

lake zurich il

astronics

base salary range stated

occasional lab travel

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance
• FSA and HSA
• quarterly profit-sharing incentive
• 401(k) with company contribution
• employee stock purchase plan
• employee assistance and wellness programs
• paid time off, volunteer time off, holidays and parental leave
• tuition reimbursement.

Why this role

The role emphasizes EMI/EMC qualification design and troubleshooting and may involve occasional travel to Chicago-region laboratories.

About the employer

Astronics is hiring for this role. Industry: Engineering Services. Sector: 54.