Accelerator Operator I

The expected hiring range for this position is:

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's Accelerator Division is seeking an Accelerator Operator to support the Laboratory's particle accelerators, beam transport systems, and experimental beamlines.
 

What your day-to-day as an Accelerator Operator will look like:

• Learn accelerator operations through an extensive On-the-Job Training (OJT) program while working in the Main Control Room with experienced Operators.
• Working as part of a trained operations crew to operate particle accelerators and beam transport systems throughout the accelerator complex.
• Using fundamental physics concepts and basic beam theory to understand, monitor, and tune accelerator beams.
• Monitoring accelerator systems, beam conditions, equipment status, alarms, interlocks, and operating parameters.
• Operating and tuning particle accelerators and beam transport systems in accordance with the operating schedule and approved procedures.
• Analyzing operational problems, developing solutions, and troubleshooting computer software and accelerator control systems.
• Working with machine experts, engineers, physicists, and technicians while learning, tuning, troubleshooting, and operating various accelerator systems.
• Performing basic technical repairs and maintenance of equipment, including electronics and control systems.
• Learning and following Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), accelerator safety, electrical safety, radiation safety, and operating procedures.
• Maintaining a working knowledge of electrical, radiation, cryogenic, oxygen-deficiency, and other accelerator safety systems.
• Searching and securing accelerator tunnel enclosures and activate or verify safety interlock systems as required.
• Acknowledging, evaluating, and responding to accelerator alarms and abnormal operating conditions.
• Performing required field inspections, equipment checks, and operational walkthroughs.
• Maintaining accurate operational logs, records, and shift documentation.
• Maintaining all required training and qualifications necessary for safe accelerator operation.
• Participating in emergency response activities, drills, and exercises.
• Supporting accelerator maintenance, testing, shutdowns, outages, experiments, and scheduled beam operations.
• Participating in the development, reviewing, and improvement of operating procedures and documentation.
• Learning new software and computer-based control systems used to operate accelerator equipment.
• Adapting quickly to changing operational conditions in the Main Control Room.
• Supporting commissioning activities and operational readiness for new accelerator systems, including PIP-II.
• Developing the technical and operational expertise needed to support future PIP-II and LBNF/DUNE operations and help train future accelerator operators.
• Respecting, understanding, and valuing individual differences that embody the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace practices.

Skills and Attributes for Success: 

• Bachelor's degree in Physics from an accredited college or university.
• 0–2+ years of relevant experience, depending on demonstrated technical knowledge and qualifications.
• Ability to successfully complete a comprehensive Accelerator Operator I OJT and qualification program.
• Ability to learn and apply fundamental physics concepts, accelerator principles, operating procedures, and safety requirements.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Electronics and/or technical work experience.
• Experience with computer systems, software, programming, controls, or data acquisition systems.
• Experience troubleshooting electrical, electronic, mechanical, or computer-based systems.
• Experience with particle accelerators, beam physics, vacuum systems, RF systems, magnets, power supplies, or related technical systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and electrical schematics.
• Experience working in a laboratory, industrial, technical, or other high-reliability environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to abide by all environmental, safety, and health regulations and Laboratory policies, procedures, and practices.
• Ability to work through and successfully complete an extensive OJT program.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with physicists, engineers, technicians, and other personnel who build, operate, maintain, and support accelerator systems.
• Ability to communicate clearly by telephone, including occasionally for extended periods.
• Ability to analyze problems, evaluate available information, and make sound operational decisions.
• Ability to plan work, proceed effectively with assigned tasks, and make constructive and innovative suggestions.
• Ability to understand the overall operational picture while maintaining attention to important details.
• Ability and willingness to learn new software and technologies used to operate accelerator equipment.
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and priorities in the Main Control Room.
• Ability and willingness to work harmoniously with others in a fast-paced, safety-critical environment.
• Ability to respond positively to instructions, established procedures, coaching, and feedback.
• Strong commitment to safety, procedural compliance, teamwork, and continuous learning.
• Commitment to maintaining a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Physical Activity and Work Conditions

Human Factors

The position requires the ability to perform work involving:

• Heights
• Mental concentration and sustained attention
• Extended periods of sitting, standing, and walking
• Visually demanding tasks and computer displays
• Tight or changing operational schedules
• Frequent communication and coordination with other personnel
• Rapid response to changing operational conditions

Physical Requirements

• Legally qualified and able to operate cars and light trucks.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to ascend and descend stairs of up to 15 flights (approximately 225 steps).
• Ability to safely climb ladders and maneuver around control racks and accelerator equipment.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, overtime, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to work in underground accelerator enclosures.
• Ability to traverse uneven, slippery, or irregular surfaces.
• Ability to maneuver around equipment, magnets, beam pipes, and other accelerator components in enclosures.
• Ability to understand and manipulate high-voltage switchgear while wearing required PPE.
• Ability to visit and work at remote locations throughout the Fermilab site.
• Ability to occasionally work outdoors in hot, cold, and changing weather conditions.

Physical and Environmental Factors

The position may involve working in or around:

• Confined spaces
• Cryogenic systems and materials
• High-voltage equipment
• Magnetic fields
• Ionizing radiation
• Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) areas
• Underground accelerator enclosures
• Radio-frequency systems
• Electrical and electronic equipment

The employee must be able to qualify for and safely work in ODH areas, confined spaces, radiological areas, cryogenic areas, and accelerator enclosures as required by the position.

The employee must be able to work in areas with magnetic fields and near high-voltage equipment while following applicable safety requirements and PPE requirements.

The position may require riding elevators to and from underground tunnel enclosures and traveling throughout the accelerator complex to perform assigned duties.

Personal Protective Equipment

The position requires the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) based on the work activity and hazards present. PPE may include:

• Eye and face protection
• Foot protection
• Hand protection
• Hearing protection
• Head protection
• Tyvek or other protective clothing
• Flame-resistant clothing
• Radiological protection
• Additional PPE as required by the work activity, hazard assessment, procedure, or permit

Safety and Operational Responsibilities

Safety is a fundamental responsibility of every Accelerator Operator. Operators are expected to maintain a questioning attitude, recognize changing conditions, follow approved procedures, and exercise Stop Work Authority when necessary.

The Operator must be able to safely respond to abnormal and emergency conditions and understand that accelerator operations involve potentially significant radiological, electrical, cryogenic, magnetic, oxygen-deficiency, and other hazards.

Future Accelerator Operations

This position is also an important part of Fermilab's long-term workforce development strategy. The Operators trained today will become the experienced operators needed to support the commissioning and operation of PIP-II and LBNF/DUNE.

Experienced Operators will have opportunities to:

• Support PIP-II commissioning and startup activities.
• Assist with development and validation of operating procedures.
• Provide operational input during system commissioning.
• Help identify and resolve operational issues.
• Support transition from commissioning to routine operations.
• Train and mentor future Accelerator Operators.
• Transfer operational knowledge to subsequent generations of operators.

The Accelerator Operator I position therefore provides both immediate support for Fermilab's current accelerator operations and a critical pathway for developing the workforce required for the Laboratory's future accelerator program.

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.