RF Controls 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.

The expected hiring range for this position is:
$97,032 – $145,000

About the Role:
Join the Fermilab team as an RF Controls Engineer! In this role, you will research, design, develop, and test the real-time digital signal processing and control systems — including accelerator Low Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) systems — that keep Fermilab’s scientific experiments running.
What your day-to-day as an RF Controls Engineer at Fermilab will look like:
•    Research, design, develop, and test real-time high-speed digital signal processing systems and control systems for scientific use.
•    Perform computer-assisted engineering and use design software and development tools to model and simulate digital and analog circuits and systems.
•    Coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, and testing activities to ensure compliance with project specifications and requirements.
•    Develop field-programmable gate array (“FPGA”) firmware using Quartus and Vivado tools.
•    Design, implement, maintain, operate, and utilize electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, and systems for scientific experiment purposes.
•    Develop System-On-Chip (“SOC”) FPGA software/firmware in a Linux environment.
•    Program engineering calculations and scripting in Python and develop Microprocessor/DSP software.
•    Conduct user interface development for Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (“EPICS”) and LabVIEW; design system controls for accelerator Low Level Radio Frequency (“LLRF”) systems.
•    Use MATLAB, Simulink, and logic simulation tools for simulation, signal processing design and control system design and firmware development.

Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or a foreign equivalent, and 2 years (24 months) of relevant experience in FPGA programming, including at least 1 (one) year of experience in: (1) Python programming, Matlab and Simulink tools; (2) circuit analysis and design, logic design and simulation; and (3) knowledge of circuit boards, processors, electronic components and instruments, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Work Arrangement:
Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final.
Telecommuting is permissible from anywhere in the United States.

Travel:
Travel will include 1-2 international and/or domestic trips per year to coordinate with collaboration partners and participate in training classes, conferences, and workshops.

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.