High Level RF Engineer

About the role

The expected hiring range for this position is: $111,400.00-$146,600.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Fermilab seeks a highly motivated Electrical Engineer in the Accelerator Division RF Department’s High-Level RF Group to support operations of existing accelerators and the new PIP-II particle accelerator, featuring a new 800 MeV superconducting linear accelerator. The selected candidate will work in an operations and design team environment under the supervision of a scientist or a more senior engineer. The candidate will work with high power RF systems (e.g. 1 to 60 kilowatt solid state amplifiers, 200-kilowatt wide-band tetrode RF amplifiers, 30 kilowatt IOT amplifiers, and 0.3 to 10 megawatt klystron amplifiers with associated support hardware), and assist with current and future RF systems operation and maintenance. Candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with signals and systems directly affecting accelerator performance as well as have opportunities for hands‑on learning of particle accelerator systems.

What your day-to-day as a High-Level RF Engineer at Fermilab will look like:

Design, develop, implement and maintain hardware for current and future high-power RF systems, from low level control circuitry to high power RF amplifiers. Participate in the daily operation of RF systems for linacs and synchrotrons including troubleshooting. Collaborate with technical staff to verify system functionality and performance. Perform engineering analysis, write reports and create presentations.

Respect, understand, and value individual differences that embody the principles of diversity. Abide by all environment, safety, and health regulations.

Essential Competencies and Attributes for Success

Bachelor’s Degree in an applicable Engineering discipline from an ABET accredited institution with 4+ years of engineering experience, or a master’s degree or PhD in an applicable Engineering discipline from an ABET accredited institution with 2+ years of engineering experience.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Operational experience in high voltage & high current pulsed RF systems for linacs and synchrotrons is highly desired (e.g. Klystrons, Tetrodes, IOTs, and Solid State). Experience with network analyzer to measure modes, impedance, VSWR and Q of RF resonant cavities desired. Design, development, implementation and maintenance of hardware for high power RF systems. Knowledgeable in high frequency analog circuits hardware design including interfacing between low level systems and high‑power RF equipment. Hands‑on electronics hardware experience with oscilloscopes, signal generators, vector network analyzers, and spectrum analyzers is required. Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Physical Activity and Work Conditions

The position is normally scheduled for a daytime shift, though occasional off‑shift machine studies and/or emergency call‑ins shall be required as knowledge and skills develop.

HUMAN FACTORS: Mental Concentration, Sitting, Standing, Tight Work Schedule, Visually Demanding

CHEMICAL FACTORS: Solvents

Benefits/Perks

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid time off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Onsite day care

Why Fermilab

Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Pre-Employment Screening

Drug‑Free Workplace & Pre‑Employment Screening. Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug‑free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

HSPD‑12

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD‑12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD‑12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

REAL‑ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus

Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL‑ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

Fermilab is the United States' premier particle physics laboratory. We work on the world's largest and most advanced particle accelerators and dig down to the tiniest building blocks of matter. We probe the farthest reaches of the universe, seeking out the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Fermilab's over 2,000 employees include scientists and engineers from all around the world and collaborators from more than 50 countries on physics experiments based in the United States and elsewhere. Our work experience is the combination of everything that's unique about us: our culture, our core values, our company meetings, our commitment to sustainability, our recognition programs, but most importantly, our people. To learn more about Fermilab's employee programs, visit our main Careers site.

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