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Power Supply Electrical Technician

Fermilab · Batavia, IL · $28.30–$34.51 an hour · Full time

Posted Jul 14, 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 power supply you repaired. What was wrong and how did you find it?

What they are checking: Whether they can troubleshoot electrical and electronic equipment methodically and explain their reasoning.

Tell me about a time you were the go-to person for a technical problem. How did you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they are ready to act as a point person for their assigned area.

How do you keep learning about new power electronics or equipment you haven't worked on?

What they are checking: Whether they grow their skills on their own, since lab equipment varies widely.

What would you do

A scientist asks you to make a quick change to a supply without a written procedure. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they follow work control and documentation rules even under pressure from a customer.

A supply fails during an important run and you don't know the cause yet. How do you communicate with the people waiting?

What they are checking: Whether they give honest, timely updates while still working the problem carefully.

About the work

How do you read a schematic for an unfamiliar power supply to find where to start testing?

What they are checking: Whether they can work from drawings and diagrams on equipment they have not seen before.

What steps do you take before working on a power supply that may hold stored energy?

What they are checking: Whether lockout, capacitor discharge and verification are firm habits, since the work involves dangerous energy.

What test equipment do you use most, and how do you know your measurements are right?

What they are checking: Whether they are confident with meters, scopes and current probes and check their own readings.

How do you record your work so others can follow what you did?

What they are checking: Whether they keep logbooks and database entries current, which the group depends on for equipment history.

What mechanical skills do you bring, such as building chassis, wiring racks or assembling fixtures?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle the fabrication and assembly side of the work, not only electrical testing.

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The full job description

As published by Fermilab.

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. This position is not eligible for relocation assistance, and sponsorship assistance. About the Role: Fermilab is seeking a Power Supply Electrical Technician III within our Power Supply Maintenance Group . This person under general supervision, provides moderately complex technical support for an assigned area, typically an experimental or support group What your day-to-day as a Power Supply Electrical Technician III at Fermilab will look like: • Fabricates, sets-up, operates, tests, repairs, and/or modifies a wide variety of moderately complex to complex electrical/electronic and/or mechanical equipment, systems, and devices for Laboratory projects/equipment in the assigned area, based on drawings, diagrams and schematics. • May act as a point person for technical issues in the assigned area. Assists in construction and assembly of experiment and support equipment. Prepares set-up for testing phases of equipment. Prepares and tests equipment for operation using appropriate diagnostic software. • Writes, updates, and tests procedures and documentation for all finished work. Enters relevant work information into a database and/or personal logbook. • Produces reports as assigned. Electronically prepares and compiles technical data and safety records for equipment using databases, spreadsheets, and other appropriate computing software and programs. • Provides moderately complex technical support and maintenance for a wide variety of instruments and equipment in the assigned area. Troubleshoots problems and conducts repairs as needed. • Performs ES&H duties, including environmental surveys, waste disposal, and radiological surveys. • Conducts periodic safety inspections of assigned area, including generation of hazard analyses. Assists in performing radioactive and chemical waste pick-ups, waste segregation, and related documentation. May prepare waste for disposal and package waste for shipment. • Responds to operational and emergency requirements. Required to work off-hour shifts or respond to emergency call-ins. • Procures and maintains inventories of small parts, supplies, materials, and equipment. Completes and submits requisitions. • Assists in the implementation and design of equipment and systems for area of assignment. Drives quality in all job aspects. May assists in the design and development of equipment and systems. • Provides guidance to less experienced technicians or contractors. As assigned, often serves as shift supervisor for specific project or task. • 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: • HS degree (or technical certificate or equivalent) • 5+ years of extensive related experience or up to 3+ year of DOE laboratory experience. Applicable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: • Demonstrated experience in the assigned area. • Possesses and applies comprehensive knowledge of electrical, mechanical and/or ES&H technology concepts, practices, and procedures from extensive experience or academic study. Possesses advanced knowledge in specific areas. • Ability to work on complex projects and assignments. • May be required to legally operate a government vehicle 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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