High Level RF Engineer

The expected hiring range for this position is:

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.

About the role:
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

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