Ecolab

Principal Electrical Engineer

Ecolab • $101K — $152K *
Naperville, IL 60540In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
1 month ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
  • 8+ years of electrical engineering experience in industrial equipment/control panel design.
  • Proficiency with electrical CAD tools (AutoCAD Electrical preferred) for schematics and layouts.
  • Experience in designing industrial electrical systems including BOMs and wiring diagrams.
  • Working knowledge of electrical codes and safety standards like NEC and UL.
  • Experience troubleshooting electrical/control issues in manufacturing and field environments.
  • Strong communication skills to convey technical information across diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with R&D and Product Management to translate equipment innovation ideas into manufacturable designs.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive electrical documentation using CAD tools.
  • Oversee electrical design throughout the product lifecycle, focusing on improvements and compliance.
  • Lead troubleshooting during production and implement corrective actions.
  • Ensure all designs meet Ecolab's safety standards and global regulations.
  • Establish and update electrical design guidelines and best practices.
  • Specify and evaluate electrical components, supporting supplier selection and standardization.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to impact clean water, safe food, and healthy environments.
  • Engage in collaborative new product development and support.
  • Comprehensive benefits package starting on day one including medical, dental, and retirement plans.
  • Paid parental leave and tuition reimbursement options.
  • Matching 401(k) and company-paid pension scheme.
Full Job Description
The Global Water Engineering Innovation team is looking for a Principal Electrical Engineer to provide technical leadership for the development and support of industrial water treatment equipment. The ideal candidate combines deep electrical engineering expertise with practical manufacturing experience and a track record of mentoring others.

This role supports Nalco Water, Downstream, and Food & Beverage businesses and partners closely with R&D, Product Management/Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain to deliver new product development and continuous improvement.

What's in it for You:
  • Opportunity to make an impact by advancing equipment used to help customers achieve clean water, safe food, abundant energy, and healthy environments.
  • Work on a mix of new product development and lifecycle support in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment.
  • Comprehensive benefits package starting day 1 of employment (medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), company-paid pension, stock purchase plan, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more), subject to local offerings.


Position Details:
  • Location: Naperville, IL
  • Work arrangement: Onsite with periodic time in a shop/fabrication environment
  • Travel: Up to 20% (as needed for supplier support, build/validation, and/or commissioning)


Key Responsibilities:
  • Partner with R&D and Product Management/Marketing on equipment innovation, translating concepts into manufacturable electrical/control designs.
  • Develop and maintain electrical documentation packages (schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, BOMs) using electrical CAD tools (AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent).
  • Own electrical designs throughout the product lifecycle, including sustaining engineering, cost reduction, reliability improvements, and obsolescence management.
  • Lead hands-on troubleshooting during production builds; perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  • Ensure designs and build practices meet Ecolab safety requirements and applicable global regulations/standards (e.g., OSHA, NEC, NFPA 70E, UL, CSA, IEC, CE), including appropriate guarding, labeling, and documentation.
  • Develop and maintain electrical standards, design guidelines, reusable architectures, and best practices across the product portfolio to improve consistency, scalability, and manufacturability.
  • Specify electrical components and instrumentation for procurement and production; support supplier selection, technical reviews, and component standardization.
  • Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, DFMEA/PFMEA, and change management to ensure robust, compliant designs.
  • Serve as a technical authority and escalation point for complex electrical challenges, providing guidance and driving timely resolution.
  • Coach and mentor engineers through formal and informal development to build technical capability and improve team effectiveness.
  • Collaborate with Manufacturing and Quality to resolve nonconformances; support investigations, containment, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
  • Support installation, commissioning, and validation activities as needed (factory testing and/or field support) to ensure equipment meets performance requirements.


Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
  • 8+ years of electrical engineering experience supporting industrial equipment and/or control panel design in a manufacturing environment.
  • Proficiency with electrical CAD (AutoCAD Electrical preferred) to create electrical schematics, panel layouts, and wiring diagrams.
  • Experience designing industrial electrical systems and control panels, including schematics, panel layouts, wiring, and bills of material (BOMs).
  • Working knowledge of applicable electrical codes and safety standards (e.g., NEC, NFPA 70E, UL, CSA, IEC, CE) and safe design/work practices.
  • Experience supporting manufacturing builds and troubleshooting electrical/control issues in a production (and/or field) environment.
  • Strong communication skills (both verbal and written).
  • Demonstrated ability to translate process requirements into electrical/control design requirements and explain technical documentation to diverse stakeholders.
  • No immigration sponsorship available for this position.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC/HMI systems (e.g., Rockwell/Allen Bradley, Siemens, B&R) and industrial networks.
  • Experience with motor control/VFDs, pumps and motors, and industrial instrumentation troubleshooting.
  • Experience with ERP/plant systems (SAP preferred) and working within a document-controlled manufacturing environment.
  • Physical Demands / Work Environment:
  • Work is performed in an office and shop/fabrication environment with exposure to dust, fumes/odors, and noise; appropriate PPE is required as applicable.
  • Ability to safely move around equipment builds and test areas, including standing and walking for periods of time.


Annual or Hourly Compensation Range

The pay range for this position is $101,400.00 - $152,100.00. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws.

Benefits

Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Click here to see our benefits.

If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.

About Ecolab

Ecolab provides comprehensive solutions, data-driven insights, and personalized service to customers in the food, healthcare, hospitality, and industrial markets in more than countries to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, optimize water and energy use, and improve operational efficiencies and sustainability.

Ecolab Careers

Join Ecolab's dynamic team today and be part of a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions. At Ecolab, we are committed to advancing technologies and driving innovation that makes the world cleaner, safer, and healthier.

Work You’ll Do

At Ecolab, you will find job opportunities that promise robust growth and development in a culture that fosters leadership, innovation, and diversity. Our team is composed of over 48,000 dedicated professionals who lead the industry in delivering efficient solutions and services to our customers worldwide.

Professional Growth and Development

Embark on a career path that empowers your ambition. Ecolab offers a myriad of career advancement opportunities supported by comprehensive training programs and professional development courses. Our commitment to your growth is paralleled by our dedication to innovation and excellence in every aspect of our business.

Inclusive and Supportive Culture

Ecolab’s culture thrives on teamwork, respect, and diversity. We believe in creating an inclusive environment that values each individual’s unique background and perspectives. Diversity training and leadership programs are integral parts of our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace.

Internship and Employment Opportunities

Whether you're starting your career or looking to make a change, Ecolab offers a range of employment and internship opportunities that can help you harness your skills and achieve your professional goals. Our hiring process is designed to be transparent and engaging, ensuring that all candidates are given the opportunity to showcase their strengths.

Benefits and Networking

Joining Ecolab means more than just employment; it’s an opportunity to be part of a global network of industry leaders and innovators. Our employees enjoy competitive benefits, including health, life, and dental insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. We also encourage our team to connect and collaborate through various professional networking events.

Explore Job Opportunities

Are you ready to make a significant impact? Explore the various positions available at Ecolab, from entry-level roles to executive positions. Tailor your resume and prepare for interviews with our career experts who are here to support you every step of the way.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players.

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Learn more about Ecolab
Size
47,000 employees
Market Cap
$41 billion
Industry
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Net Income
-$1.2 billion
Founded
1923
5 Year Trend
-0.6%
Revenue
$11.7 billion
NASDAQ
ECL
* Ladders Estimates

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