Mechanical Design Drafter (Designer/Drafter 5)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and time off

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Relocation packages

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to lead and support projects within the Accelerator Operations and Technology Division. This role requires advanced design and drafting skills and a solid background in mechanical engineering.

A minimum of 7 years of experience is required, along with an Associate's Degree in a relevant field. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package and requires U.S. citizenship for clearance.

Qualifications

• 7 years of related experience in mechanical design engineering.
• Experience in vacuum vessels, accelerator structures, RF-drive systems, and more.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide creative solutions to mechanical design problems.
• Direct maintenance and improvement projects for the LANSCE accelerator.
• Collaborate effectively with scientists, engineers, and fabrication personnel.

Skills

Advanced mechanical design and drafting

Computer Aided Design programs (SolidWorks, CREO)

Geometric Design and Tolerancing (GD&T)

Effective communication (oral and written)

Q clearance eligibility

Education

Associate's Degree in Engineering or Technical field

Tools

SolidWorks

CREO

Job description

What You Will Do

The Accelerator Operations and Technology (AOT) Division provides leadership in the Laboratory's core capability of Accelerators and Electrodynamics. Accelerators and Electrodynamics enable charged particle acceleration through controlled utilization of electromagnetic fields, supporting National Security missions involving radiographic imaging, remote measurements of electromagnetic signatures, and development of new capabilities. AOT operates the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) proton accelerator complex and conducts applied research and development in accelerator‑focused technologies as they apply to Free Electron Lasers, National Security Science programs, and future accelerator missions. The Mechanical Design Engineering Group (AOT-MDE) supports division goals in several technical functions and engineers perform design and analysis of systems such as cooling water systems, vacuum systems, electromagnets, and electromechanical diagnostic devices, and direct the maintenance and improvement projects of the LANSCE accelerator.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrate advanced mechanical design and drafting experience, illustrating the ability to provide creative and practical solutions to a variety of design problems.
• Demonstrate professional drafting and design experience in one or more of MDE group's core responsibilities, which includes vacuum vessels and tubing design, accelerator structure design, RF‑drive systems, water‑cooling systems, beam line layout, beam target design, electromagnet design, and accelerator diagnostic device design.
• Demonstrated advanced experience with three‑dimensional Computer Aided Design programs such as SolidWorks or CREO.
• Demonstrated advanced use of drafting practices in accordance with ASME Y14.5, and proven ability to incorporate Geometric Design and Tolerancing (GD&T) concepts into working designs.
• Demonstrated ability to take design requirements from a customer and creatively and efficiently carry them through the entire design and fabrication process with minimal to no guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to interact and communicate effectively both orally and in writing with scientists, engineers, machinists, technicians and fabrication personnel.
• Ability to obtain Q clearance.

Position requires an Associate's Degree in an Engineering or Technical field and 7 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated design experience in more than one of MDE group's core responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work with SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM workflows.
• Demonstrated experience navigating design challenges such as ionizing radiation resistance, high‑ and very high vacuum, limited material compatibility, very limited electronics‑compatible environments, water‑cooling, remote‑operation, and decades‑long operational lifetimes.

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite in Los Alamos, NM.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with a large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• 401(k) with 6% matching plus 3.5% annually
• Tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Relocation packages for relocation outside a 50 mile radius

Clearance Requirement

Position will be cleared to Q clearance. Selected applicants must be U.S. citizens or meet federal clearance eligibility requirements.

Drug Test

Applicants must complete a new‑employment drug test. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination.

U.S. Citizenship Requirement

Because of federal restrictions, only U.S. citizens (or qualifying foreign nationals under DOE orders) are eligible to work in facilities that support national security missions including LANL.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. Employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is committed to making the workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request.