Designer/Drafter 5

What You Will Do
Are you a highly experienced designer with deep technical expertise and a passion for solving complex engineering problems? We are looking for a Designer / Drafter 5 to lead the development of large-scale design solutions and contribute as a subject matter expert in a diverse engineering environment.

In this role, you will lead efforts across the full lifecycle of facility, component, and system design-from concepts through detailed modeling, drawing development, material selection, and configuration management. You will work independently or as a team leader on multidisciplinary projects, collaborating closely with engineers, fabricators, and other stakeholders to support national security, research, and facility modernization missions.

This position calls for a leader who thrives in dynamic environments, sets technical direction, and consistently delivers expert-level results.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert in 3D CAD modeling and Product Data Management, generating comprehensive design packages for complex projects.
• Define and optimize modeling standards, CAD methodologies, and configuration control processes to ensure design quality and consistency across the institution.
• Lead and facilitate design reviews; resolve drawing / model discrepancies and interface issues across disciplines.
• Provide technical mentorship to junior designers, advise engineers on GD&T strategies, and perform drawing checks using ASME Y14.5 or Laboratory drafting standards.
• Support the planning and execution of fabrication, assembly, and construction activities, and provide expert-level material selection guidance.
• Develop innovative solutions to non-routine and complex design problems involving custom components and systems in both static and dynamic environments.
• Regularly interact with Laboratory leadership, engineers, and multidisciplinary design teams to define requirements, align expectations, and ensure the success of major design efforts.
• Supervise or assign work to junior designers when in a lead capacity, review work for long-term consistency and expert outcomes.
• Ensure safety and security compliance is integrated into all design and project activities; take action for stop work if risks are identified.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Expert proficiency in computer-aided drafting (CAD) and PDM tools for design, modeling, and documentation of complex mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical systems.
• Extensive knowledge of ASME, ANSI, AWS, and IEEE standards, with practical application to ensure design fit, form, function, and safety.
• Demonstrated experience producing design solutions, drawings, and layouts for advanced systems, facilities, tooling, or assemblies.
• Extensive experience providing technical leadership in engineering design, with a strong focus on material selection, design for manufacturability, and complete lifecycle documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and assignments independently with minimal guidance, delivering technically sound, configuration-controlled design packages.

Education/Experience: 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:

• Experience supervising or mentoring drafters, leading cross-functional design teams, and driving process or product improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with DOE, LANL Engineering Standards, and Conduct of Engineering (CoE) requirements.
• Extensive knowledge of machine shop tools, fabrication methods, and inspection techniques.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants:

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

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

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity : Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All 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 also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to ... or call ... opt. 3.