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Instrument Machinist

Fermilab · Batavia, IL · $32.36–$40.28 an hour · Full time

Posted Apr 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a part you scrapped. What went wrong and what did you change afterward?

What they are checking: Whether they own mistakes and learn from them rather than blaming the drawing or the machine.

Tell me about a time you had to balance cost and quality on a job.

What they are checking: Whether they can make parts that meet the design at a reasonable cost instead of over-finishing everything.

How do you keep yourself and others safe in a shared machine shop?

What they are checking: Whether they follow and model shop safety habits consistently, not just when someone is watching.

What would you do

A scientist hands you a rough sketch and says they need a part by Friday. What do you do before you start?

What they are checking: Whether they clarify material, critical features and tolerances up front instead of guessing on a one-off research part.

You notice a drawing has a dimension that looks wrong or a feature that can't be made as drawn. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop and check with the customer or foreman instead of making it wrong or changing it on their own.

About the work

Walk me through how you plan the machining sequence for a part from a blueprint you have never seen before.

What they are checking: Whether they think about setups, datums and order of operations before cutting, which saves scrap and time.

How do you hold a tolerance of plus or minus half a thousandth on a manual machine?

What they are checking: Whether they understand heat, tool wear, rigidity and measurement well enough to hit tight tolerances repeatably.

What materials have you machined beyond steel and aluminum, and what did you have to adjust for each?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle materials like stainless, copper, titanium or plastics common in lab instruments.

How do you inspect your own work before handing a part over? Which instruments do you use?

What they are checking: Whether they measure carefully with micrometers, indicators and gauges rather than trusting the machine dial.

What routine maintenance do you do on your machines, and why does it matter for accuracy?

What they are checking: Whether they see machine care as part of the job, since a neglected lathe cannot hold tolerance.

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The full job description

As published by Fermilab.

The expected hiring range for this position is: $32.36-$40.28. 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. This position is not available for relocation assistance, sponsorship assistance and referral bonus program. About the Role: Fermilab’s Machine Shop Department is seeking a full-time Instrument Machinist to join the team. Under general supervision, provides the provisioning of high-quality machine services in all laboratory environments. What your day-to-day as an Instrument Machinist at Fermilab will look like: • Plans appropriate machining sequences to produce and assigned piece from Blueprints, sketches or verbal instructions. • Clarifies details of work to be done with supervisor/customer/working foreman as appropriate. • Sets up and operates all conventional and semi-automatic machining equipment to produce parts required within acceptable design tolerances at an acceptable cost, occasionally holding tolerances of +/-.0005 inches. • Performs routine machine maintenance functions such as cleaning, painting or ensuring adequate supply of lubricants. • May have an operational knowledge of CNC machines on which work assignments may be done. • Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. • Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position. Skills and Attributes for Success: • High School diploma (or technical certificate or equivalent) along with 5 years of job shop experience or trade school. Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: • Knowledge of manual machining techniques along with general job shop functions. 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.

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