We Are:
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 at 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.
We are strategic risk takers, innovators, and collaborators. We are engineers, scientists, technicians, administrative professionals. We are over 2,000 employees advancing knowledge for the benefit of humankind. Fermilab has been at the forefront of particle physics for more than 40 years. We build world-leading accelerators and detectors to conduct some of the most advanced particle physics experiments possible. We collect and analyze the data from those experiments with some of the most powerful computers in the world. We conduct this research on a 6,800-acre prairie, 35 miles outside Chicago, a treasure that has been designated a National Environmental Research Park.
This position is not eligible for an employee referral bonus.
The Computational Science and Artificial Intelligence Directorate strives to deliver innovative computing and engineering solutions that enable Fermilab to achieve its scientific mission. Within the directorate, the Real Time Processing Systems Division is responsible for designing engineering hardware, firmware and software to advance technologies for Fermilab detectors, accelerators and Data Acquisition Systems.
Fermilab's Scientific Computing Division seeks a highly qualified candidate for a Senior Engineer position to work on electronic engineering for Detector research and Quantum Information Science (QIS). The successful candidate will develop hardware, firmware and software in support of the main projects of the lab such in support of Neutrino physics, Cosmology and Quantum Information Science. QIS is a growing research activity for Fermilab and the Department of Energy.
Qualifications and Essential Job Functions
- Bachelor's in an applicable Engineering discipline from an ABET accredited institution with 6+ years of engineering experience, or a Master's or PhD in an applicable Engineering discipline, preferably electronic engineering, from an ABET accredited institution with 4+ years of engineering experience.
- A strong record in FPGA programming using AMD-Xilinx devices.
- Strong knowledge of FPGA programming languages, in particular System Verilog, (and/or VHDL, Verilog) Xilinx IPs and Vivado synthesis and simulation. Knowledge of HLD is not needed.
- Experience with high-speed mixed analog and digital hardware design. Experience in RF electronics up to 10GHz and/or quantum information science will be considered a plus.
- Strong knowledge of Instrumentation for testing characterization and debugging of high-speed analog and digital electronics, including FPGAs and RF.
- Knowledge of data analysis techniques. Knowledge of programming in python and Matlab will be considered a plus. Knowledge of Digital signal processing (digital filter design, up/down conversion, DFFT, etc) is a plus.
- Strong analytical, creative and independent problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to work collaboratively on a diverse team.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Commitment to respect, understand, and value individual differences and support the diversity and inclusivity of Fermilab's workforce.
- Willingness to abide by all environment, safety, and health regulations.
Fermilab is an Equal Opportunity Employer and believes a diverse and inclusive environment based on mutual respect is essential to our mission. Fermilab is committed to recruiting and developing the most hardworking people and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, country of birth, geography/postal code, disability, marital status, parental or gestational status, or other non-merit factor.
REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab and FRA 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: If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.