High-Power RF Electronic Technician

The expected hiring range for this position is:

$28.30-$34.51.

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.

Relocation and sponsorship are not available for this position.

About the role: 
The Accelerator Division’s RF Department is seeking an Electronic Technician with experience in radio frequency to join the team. This technician will be under the supervision of an engineer and/or a more experienced technician supporting PIP-II high level RF systems and other electronics. 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). Tasks will include fabrication, assembly, testing, troubleshooting, repairing, and maintenance of electronic and light mechanical systems. 

This position is normally scheduled for day shift, though occasional off shift and emergency call-in will be required. 

What your day-to-day as a High-Power RF Electronic Technician at Fermilab will look like: 
•    Operate and maintain high power RF equipment and associated systems. 
•    Fix and replace RF system components used in RF accelerating systems.
•    Develop the skills for testing devices operating with high voltages and high currents. 
•    Candidate will fabricate, install, and commission a variety of electronic circuits from drawings, diagrams, and schematics. 
•    Perform critical maintenance and troubleshooting duties as skills, training, knowledge of equipment, and safe operating procedures develop. 
•    Mount components in cabinets/chassis, perform point to point wiring, load printed circuit boards, fabricate interconnecting cables with special connectors, and assist in commissioning completed assemblies.
•    Enter relevant work information into a custom database. Produce and maintain up-to-date reports.

Essential Competencies and Attributes for Success:
•    HS degree (or technical certificate or equivalent) plus 5+ years of extensive related experience or 3+ years’ experience at a Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory or in a technical skill of strategic importance to the Lab’s mission (e.g., cryo, radio frequency, radiation protection, clean room, etc.). 
•    Experience working in a DOE laboratory environment is preferred.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Ability to solder, use basic electronic test equipment (voltmeters (DVM), oscilloscopes, and signal generators), read and understand circuit schematics, and perform precision mechanical measurements (use of vernier calipers, micrometers, etc.).
• Fixing down to the component level.
• Good mechanical skills are required for precision assembly of components. 
• Safe use of hand tools, including small power tools is required.
• Knowledge of basic measurement techniques of analog, digital, and RF circuits required.
• Ability to prototype and test electronic circuits from engineering sketches.
• Must have excellent verbal communication in English for safe performance of duties.
• Basic computer skills in the use of Excel and Word.

Physical Activity and Work Conditions
Human Factors: Heavy Lifting, Mental Concentration, Sitting, Standing, Tight Work Schedule, Repetitive Motion, Visually Demanding

• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders and stand for up to 4-hours per day.
• Ability and willingness to work occasional overtime on short notice in response to operational and emergency requirements.
• Ability to legally operate cars and light trucks.

Physical Factors: 

• Ability to meet Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) for occasional work in areas with super conducting RF cavities (cryomodule).
• Pass electrical safety and environmental safety courses.
• Meet radiation worker training requirements for occasional accelerator enclosure access. 
• Ability to work with epoxies, solvents, glues, and other chemicals.

Work Arrangement:
Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final. 

• Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office.

Benefits/Perks:
Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:

• 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.

Foreign Government Sponsored Activities

Fermilab employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab's Office of General Counsel.

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: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. 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.