Electrical Engineer III - Communications

Posted Yesterday
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Carpentersville, IL, USA
In-Office
90K-105K Annually
Senior level
Manufacturing
The Role
Design and lead development of rugged communications and power-management electronics from concept through production. Responsibilities include analog/digital/audio circuit design, component selection, PCB guidance (Altium), hardware bring‑up, validation, EMC/ESD mitigation, failure analysis, test development, production support, and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure regulatory and customer requirements are met.
Summary Generated by Built In

Electrical Engineer III – Communications 

Why join OTTO Engineering?

  • At OTTO, we don’t just manufacture products—we engineer mission-critical solutions with precision and pride. Our Communications Division designs and manufactures ruggedized, application-specific communication systems built to perform when failure isn’t an option, serving the military, law enforcement, public safety, and industrial customers worldwide.
  • As a core value, we focus on delivering for our customers through innovative technology, superior quality, value, and responsiveness … as a result, our growth continues
  • Employees are our greatest asset, which is why we share our company’s profits to celebrate our collective success.
  • As a privately-owned company, we are proud to invest significantly in our community and in our own growth, focusing on long-term business success.
  • We are proudly American!

You’ll love our Engineering Team!

Join a team where your engineering talent directly supports the people who protect and serve. At OTTO Engineering, we design and build innovative communications and power‑management products used by Public Safety professionals and Military teams around the world. You’ll help create rugged, reliable, and innovative products that professionals depend on every day. If you’re excited by meaningful engineering challenges and the chance to build technology that truly matters, this role is a great fit.

Specifically, we are seeking experience with …

  • Digital, analog, and audio circuit design
  • SDIO, I²C, SPI, RS‑232, UART, JTAG, parallel/serial interfaces
  • GPS, accelerometers, IMUs, speakers, microphones
  • Bluetooth, USB, and related protocols
  • Schematic/layout tools; Altium preferred

As our Electrical Engineer III you will design advanced circuitry for our communications and power‑management products. Work across the full development cycle—from concept through production—developing analog, digital, audio, sensing, and battery‑powered systems while driving hands‑on bring‑up, validation, and cross‑functional integration. This role requires technical depth, initiative, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team, with minimal supervision. Includes resolving field and production issues and influencing overall project direction. Degree of supervision required to perform job duties should not exceed 20%.

The Electrical Engineer III will:

  • Lead full‑cycle development — Drive design, bring‑up, HW/SW integration, factory support, validation, and customer support.
  • Own component selection — Specify and evaluate components for performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
  • Design digital systems — Architect interface logic, sensors, peripherals, microprocessors, memory, and connectivity.
  • Develop audio circuitry — Work with A/D and D/A converters, audio power amps, op‑amps, and signal‑chain components.
  • Engineer advanced analog circuits — Filters, FETs, linear/switch‑mode power supplies, battery monitoring, and charging.
  • Validate product performance — Test, analyze, and document performance to meet customer and regulatory requirements.
  • Support existing products — Implement updates, troubleshoot issues, and assist factory and field teams.
  • Create production‑ready documentation — Generate schematics (Altium), BOMs, ECNs, test plans, and specifications.
  • Guide PCB design — Provide direction on routing, high‑speed interfaces, impedance control, power distribution, and EMC compliance.
  • Perform hands‑on troubleshooting — Use oscilloscopes, DMMs, and lab equipment to debug and refine designs.
  • Define and execute testing — Lead performance, reliability, EMC, and failure‑analysis testing.
  • Establish production test requirements — Define board‑level and end‑of‑line test strategies and select appropriate equipment.
  • Collaborate cross‑functionally — Work with Sales, Quality, Mechanical, Firmware, and Manufacturing Engineering.
  • Drive design reviews — Participate in design reviews and DFMEAs to ensure robust, high‑quality designs.
  • Ensure regulatory compliance — Coordinate with test labs and agencies to meet industry standards.
  • Support project planning — Help define timelines and ensure adherence to project schedules.
  • Take on evolving challenges — Contribute to additional engineering tasks as projects grow and shift.
  • Assists with other related duties as required or assigned.

About you - What you’ll bring to the table:

  • BSEE degree
  • U.S. Citizen
  • 5+ years of concept‑to‑production experience
  • Expertise in digital, analog, and audio circuit design — Including bring‑up and HW/SW integration.
  • Microprocessor interface experience — SDIO, I²C, SPI, RS‑232, UART, JTAG, parallel/serial interfaces.
  • Sensor and audio subsystem knowledge — GPS, accelerometers, IMUs, speakers, microphones.
  • Connectivity proficiency — Strong understanding of Bluetooth, USB, and related protocols.
  • Battery‑system knowledge — Charging circuits, battery technologies, and power‑management fundamentals.
  • EMC/ESD mitigation experience — Designing for noise reduction, compliance, and robustness.
  • Embedded software familiarity (a plus, not required)
  • Failure‑analysis capability — Diagnose issues, interpret test results, and drive design improvements.
  • CAD proficiency — Schematic/layout tools; Altium preferred.
  • Strong execution discipline — Able to prioritize, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork
  • Microsoft Office proficiency
  • Independent, results‑oriented problem solver — Flexible, proactive, and effective in both solo and team environments.

What OTTO offers for this specific position:

The hiring range listed in this posting is what we, in good faith, anticipate relying on when confirming a base salary for this position; exceptions may be considered for highly experienced candidates with multiple years of at-level experience.

  • Target base salary hiring range: $90,000 to $105,000, based on qualifications and experience.
  • Profit Sharing Bonus - OTTO believes that it’s fair to share the profits that the employees help to make; profit sharing is distributed to employees twice a year. OTTO’s profit sharing plan is paid at the discretion of the company and is not a guaranteed bonus or any part of a compensation plan.
  • Vacation: 80 hours - vacation time is earned on the anniversary date.

OTTO’s Benefits:

Health:

Medical Insurance-

  • HMO Plan
  • Standard PPO Plan
  • Enhanced PPO Plan
  • High Deducible PPO Plan
  • FSA, LFSA, and HSA

Dental Insurance-

  • Base Plan
  • Buy-Up Plan

Vision Insurance

401(k) with a company match

Life insurance:

  • Life/AD&D
  • Voluntary Life/AD&D
  • Short-Term Disability
  • Long-Term Disability

10 paid holidays

Company picnic

Holiday party

AND numerous OTTO celebrations throughout the year!

To review all of OTTO’s available opportunities,

please visit our career page by clicking on the link below:

https://otto-engineering-inc.breezy.hr/

OTTO Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran

Federal Notices

Federal EEOC - Know Your Rights

NLRB Notice

E-Verify

Request for Assistance / Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the online application process. You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability.

If you need an alternative method for applying, please contact OTTO Engineering via telephone at 847-428-7171or email at HRDepartment @ ottoexcellence.com

These contact tools may be used only by individuals with a disability for accommodation requests; please do not inquire as to the status of an application.

OTTO Engineering does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiters, agencies, or similar organizations; any submissions will not be honored.

Skills Required

  • BSEE degree
  • U.S. Citizen
  • 5+ years of concept-to-production experience
  • Expertise in digital, analog, and audio circuit design including bring-up and HW/SW integration
  • Microprocessor interface experience (SDIO, I2C, SPI, RS-232, UART, JTAG, parallel/serial)
  • Sensor and audio subsystem knowledge (GPS, accelerometers, IMUs, speakers, microphones)
  • Connectivity proficiency (Bluetooth, USB)
  • Battery-system knowledge (charging circuits, battery technologies, power-management)
  • EMC/ESD mitigation experience
  • Failure-analysis capability (diagnose issues, interpret test results, drive improvements)
  • CAD proficiency - schematic/layout tools; Altium preferred
  • Embedded software familiarity
  • Ability to use oscilloscopes, DMMs, and lab equipment for troubleshooting
  • Create production-ready documentation (BOMs, ECNs, test plans, specifications)
  • Strong execution discipline, communication, and teamwork
  • Microsoft Office proficiency
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The Company
444 Employees
Year Founded: 1961

What We Do

OTTO Engineering designs and manufactures control products, communication accessories, and electro-mechanical components such as switches, grips, and joysticks for demanding applications.

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