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RF Technician

Fermilab · Batavia, IL · $25.72–$31.37 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 time you had to troubleshoot something with little guidance.

What they are checking: Whether they can work through problems under general supervision without needing step-by-step direction.

Tell me about a time you made an error at work. How did you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they report mistakes honestly and quickly, which matters on expensive lab equipment.

What would you want to learn in your first year here?

What they are checking: Whether they are eager to grow their RF skills and see a path in the role.

What would you do

An engineer gives you a task you don't fully understand. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they ask questions before starting instead of guessing on sensitive equipment.

You're asked to help install equipment in an area that needs a radiological work permit. How do you prepare?

What they are checking: Whether they respect lab safety and radiation rules and follow required training and permits.

About the work

What RF equipment have you worked with, and what kinds of tests did you run?

What they are checking: How much RF background they have, since this role builds on journeyman-level or academic experience.

Walk me through how you'd assemble and test a subassembly from a drawing.

What they are checking: Whether they can work carefully from drawings and check their work before handing it off.

How do you calibrate an instrument, and how do you know when it needs it?

What they are checking: Whether they understand calibration as part of trusting their measurements.

What do you know about RF safety, including exposure limits and high voltage?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the specific hazards of RF equipment and take them seriously.

How do you handle coaxial connectors and cables to avoid damage and bad readings?

What they are checking: Whether they know the care that RF connections need, which affects every measurement.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Fermilab from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Fermilab.

The expected hiring range for this position is: $25.72-$31.37. 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 is seeking a RF Technician to work under general supervision and based on journeyman-level expertise, general experience, and/or academic study, provides moderately complex technical support for an area of assignment, typically an experimental or support group. Depending on the area of assignment, fabricates, sets-up, calibrates, operates, tests, repairs, and modifies a variety of moderately complex electrical-electronic and/or mechanical equipment, systems and devices, or performs ES&H duties including environmental surveys, waste disposal, and radiological surveys. What your day-to-day as an RF Technician at Fermilab will look like: • Fabricates, assembles, installs and removes a variety of mechanical and/or electrical parts, sub-assemblies, controls, and devices for Laboratory projects/equipment in the area of assignment, based on drawings, diagrams, schematics, and as instructed. Assists in construction, calibration and assembly of experimental and support equipment for the area of assignment. Prepares and tests equipment for operation. • Generates, or assists in generating Hazard Analyses for work requiring such. • Writes procedures for finished work. Enters relevant work information into a database and/or personal logbook. Produces reports as assigned. Prepares and compiles technical data and safety records for equipment in area of assignment. Performs preventive and standard maintenance of equipment, troubleshooting of problems, and repairs as needed. Responds to operational and emergency requirements of the area. • Conducts periodic safety inspections of area of assignment. Assists with the identification, packaging, control, and disposal of chemical and radioactive waste. • Procures and maintains inventories of small parts, supplies, materials, and equipment for area of assignment. • Assists in the implementation of design of equipment and systems for area of assignment. Drives quality in all job aspects. • Assists and may direct the work of lower level technicians. May act as shift supervisor for assigned area/project. • Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations, Laboratory policies, procedures and practices pertinent to this position. • Performs other duties as assigned Skills and Attributes for Success: HS degree (or technical certificate or equivalent) plus 4+ years general experience Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: Possesses and applies comprehensive knowledge of electrical, mechanical, information technology and/or ES&H technology concepts, practices and procedures. May be required to legally operate a government vehicle. • Strong foundation in RF circuit fundamentals • Experience with schematic capture using Altium, OrCAD, KiCad, Eagle, or similar EDA software • Proficiency operating common laboratory test equipment, including: Oscilloscopes, Function/signal generators, Logic analyzers, Signal and network analyzers, Power meters, Digital volt meters (DVMs) • Ability to perform PCB design and layout for moderately complex analog and digital circuits • Skilled in soldering both through-hole and surface-mount components • Comfortable interpreting schematics, component datasheets, and technical documentation • Experience developing technical documentation for systems, processes, and procedures PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: • Experience in troubleshooting and repairing analog and digital circuits • Proficiency in analog circuit simulation and analysis using SPICE • Experience with RF system simulation and analysis utilizing Advanced Design System (ADS) 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. Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive, and drug-free work environment. As part of the hiring process, candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of these screenings. 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. 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. What To Expect Next: We’ll be in touch! If your qualifications are in alignment with the position requirements, one of our recruiters will be reaching out to schedule a phone interview to learn more about your career interests and goals. In the meantime, we encourage you to check us out on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or our About Us page. 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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