Demo

Mechanical Design Drafter (Designer/Drafter 5)

Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, NM Full Time
POSTED ON 7/16/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/31/2026
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 enables 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. The group's core functions expand a wide range of accelerator components and systems, including cooling water systems, vacuum systems, electromagnets, and electromechanical diagnostic devices. Engineers perform design and analysis of these systems, as well as direct the maintenance and improvement projects of the LANSCE accelerator.

AOT-MDE is seeking a strongly self-motivated Mechanical Design Drafter 5 to be a member of the Design Team.

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.

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:

  • 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.

Note to Applicants:

For Full Consideration: Please submit your resume linking work experience to the minimum job requirement OR submit a resume and a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of desired qualifications.Work Environment:

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.

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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.

Salary.com Estimation for Mechanical Design Drafter (Designer/Drafter 5) in Los Alamos, NM
$84,157 to $104,088
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