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Senior Network Analyst

Fermilab · Batavia, IL · $99,500–$130,900 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 26, 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 network you architected from requirements through deployment. What were the hardest trade-offs?

What they are checking: Whether they have owned real network design decisions, not only configured gear someone else designed.

Tell me about a time you taught a newer team member a technology you knew well.

What they are checking: Whether they share knowledge actively, since the role includes guiding other network staff.

What would you do

A research group reports slow transfers to an off-site collaborator. How do you troubleshoot it?

What they are checking: Whether they can isolate throughput issues across LAN, WAN, firewalls and hosts in a logical way.

How do you balance strong security controls with scientists who need large, fast data flows?

What they are checking: Whether they understand designs like science DMZs that protect a DOE lab without choking research traffic.

You're leading a mid-size upgrade project and a key vendor shipment slips by six weeks. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can re-plan, communicate and keep a project moving when outside factors change.

About the work

How do you plan for network capacity when a new experiment or computing cluster is coming in a year or two?

What they are checking: Whether they forecast demand from science plans and traffic data instead of reacting once links saturate.

Walk me through how you'd write a design note for a campus network change so others can review it.

What they are checking: Whether they document designs clearly enough for peers to review, which the posting names as a duty.

What do you monitor to judge the performance and security of an existing network?

What they are checking: Whether they use telemetry and logs to find issues before users report them.

How do you test a major change before deploying it to production?

What they are checking: Whether they use labs, staged rollouts and rollback plans to protect a network that runs around the clock.

Which routing, switching and firewall platforms do you know deeply, and where are your gaps?

What they are checking: Whether they know their strengths honestly and can show depth in the technologies they claim.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Fermilab.

The expected hiring range for this position is: $99,500.00-$130,900.00. 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, referral bonus program, or sponsorship assistance. About the Role: Fermilab is looking for a Senior Network Analyst to plan, design, contribute and deploy new network systems, monitor and evaluate the performance and security for existing network systems, recommend and deploy improvement/upgrade of existing systems. You will analyze and plan for anticipated changes in network capacity requirements, determine methods/procedures on new assignments and provide guidance to network personnel facilitating the transfer of knowledge of technologies. You might lead and supervise others in a group, or/and leads small/middle scope projects. What your day-to-day as a Senior Network Analyst at Fermilab will look like: • Architect network solutions based on analysis of business requirements, while participating in design discussions and author design notes. • Planning, analyzing designs, developing, testing, and ensuring quality assurance applying in-depth understanding of interactions between various technologies. • Contributing to network design efforts, regularly gathering requirements and information from users for specific projects and obtaining feedback. • Defining and maintaining physical network architecture and infrastructure. • Analyzing network workload and monitoring network performance. • Analyzing and planning for anticipated changes in network capacity requirements. • Configuring, implementing, integrating, maintaining, and/or administering network systems, including data, voice, and video communications. • Localizing causes and identifying and resolving moderately complex problems. • Troubleshooting problems and recommending actions by applying in-depth understanding creativity and taking initiative in problem resolution. • Installing, testing, maintaining, and upgrading network operating systems software. • Determining methods and procedures on new assignments and providing guidance to network personnel facilitating the transfer of knowledge of technologies. • Providing consultation to users in the area of network systems. • Author progress reports and technical proposals. • Contributing to and leading projects of moderate scope or phases of larger projects and interacting with other project layers, as assigned. • Performing technical negotiations with vendors and overseeing major purchases. • Being responsible for operational and/or maintenance activities for one or more specific areas or projects as assigned. • Performing other duties as assigned by supervisor. • Abiding by and being responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position. Essential Competencies and Attributes for Success: • High school diploma with 8+ years of networking experience. • Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field with 6+ years of network design experience preferred. Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: • Professional Level Cisco certifications or equivalent is highly desired in case of a candidate possessing minimal education. • Experience as a network engineer or analyst operating and supporting small (2-3+ routers, 10 - 20 switches, a few network appliances) to middle size (5+ routers, 20+ switches, 3 – 10 appliances) networks. • Has in depth expertise in Networking and ability to operate with broad latitude in a complex environment. • Knowledge of data communication and computer networks, network protocols, mathematics, computers, electronics, programming, and design techniques. 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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