About this opportunity
OTTO Engineering lists this Electrical Engineer III - Communications opportunity in carpentersville, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Electrical Engineer III – Communications
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!
Worksite address
carpentersville, IL, 60110, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.