The expected hiring range for this position is:
$21.26-$25.93.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:
This Co-op Student position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in electrical engineering within the Accelerator Directorate’s Instrumentation Department at Fermilab. Under the mentorship of seasoned engineers, you will contribute to developing and maintaining beam instrumentation and diagnostic systems for particle accelerators.
Key Responsibilities:
Contribute to hardware design and/or firmware architecture for electronics used in beam diagnostic signal conditioning and instrumentation.
Collaborate with engineers to troubleshoot and refine electronic components for key projects, including PIP-II and LBNF (DUNE).
Build and test electronics to validate circuit designs or integrate off-the-shelf components, ensuring performance with standard test equipment.
Document designs, test procedures, and results to support project continuity and knowledge sharing.
Progress from basic tasks to more complex projects with increasing independence.
Requirements:
Must have earned a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalent at the time of applying
Registered in the academic institution's cooperative education program.
Full-time student enrolled in a 4-year accredited engineering program at a U.S. college or university or at a community college or accredited two-year college
Completed at least one semester at the time of applying (meet this requirement between the start date and due date of the application period.).
Completed at least 6 credit hours in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology course areas, and completed at least 12 credits hours towards a degree.
Commitment to completing at least three semesters or four quarters of work at Fermilab, with alternating periods of full-time study.
No more than rising junior academic standing
Must be 18 years or older at the time the internship begins.
Must be a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident at the time of applying.
Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Proof of active health insurance coverage.
Strong understanding of Electrical Engineering concepts
Proficiency in circuit simulation tools (e.g. Matlab, PSPice)
Familiarity with circuit design software (e.g., Mentor Graphics, Altium, Cadence Allegro) and simulation tools.
Familiarity with Verilog, VHDL, or Python programming languages as well as related software suites such as Vivado or Visual Studio Code
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Strong analytical and technical skills for performing work and analysis.
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
Eagerness to learn and ability to apply theoretical knowledge into practice.
Benefits:
Gain hands-on experience at a world-renowned research institution.
Contribute to groundbreaking projects in particle physics.
Learn directly from experienced engineers and researchers.
Develop practical electrical engineering and problem-solving skills.
Build a robust professional network within the field.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit:
Online application
Unofficial transcript
Proposed Cooperative Education Schedule, using one of the worksheets below with a preferable start date in Fall 2026
Co-Op Details:
Application Period: June 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026
Program Dates: August 31, 2026
Offer Date: July 20, 2026
Acceptance Date: July 27, 2026
If you have any questions, please email Internships@fnal.gov.
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.