Designer/Drafter 3/4 | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory

Designer/Drafter 3/4

What You Will Do

The Engineering Services Division (ES-DO) of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) develops, maintains, and applies a diverse set of engineering capabilities to provide innovative engineering solutions that enable the Laboratory's scientific and national security mission. Engineering Services - Weapons Project Delivery (ES-WPD) is seeking a skilled and experienced Designer/Drafter to join our team in support of implementing projects within facilities at LANL in support of systems, structure and component modifications and new installations. This position supports nuclear, accelerator or non-nuclear facilities across 38 square miles of the Laboratory. If you're eager to support the Laboratory's scientific and national security mission, this opportunity is for you!

Note: This position will be filled at either the Designer/Drafter 3 or 4 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Designer/Drafter 3 ($64,700 - $101,400)


As a Designer/Drafter 3, you will be working as part of a design team assessing, providing design and drafting support aimed at maintaining and upgrading facility systems at LANL. Regular functions include, but are not limited to, learning and developing the following:
  • Learn more about design and drafting from seasoned designers and drafters
  • See how your skills can contribute to national security
  • See your ideas come to life on paper and in construction
  • Learn how to be a contributing team member
  • Develop engineering judgement
  • Develop Design skills
Designer/Drafter 4 ($71,200 - $112,900)

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, the Designer/Drafter 4 will provide the following:
  • Advanced knowledge in understanding engineering design
  • Leadership of other Designers and Drafters
  • Training and mentoring of junior designers
  • Provide organizational improvements and leadership
  • Possess advanced skill in the utilization of drafter tools


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:


Technical Skills
  • Expert proficiency with Revit and AutoCAD
  • Ability to layout systems in schematic and plan view
  • Ability to create schedule sheets
  • Ability to follow drafting standards
Project Execution
  • Proficient at field-verification and documentation of existing conditions for respective discipline(s)
  • Familiarity with typical design deliverables for your respective discipline(s)
  • Ability to verify work from other Designer/Drafters in accordance with drafting standards
  • Experience working in diverse teams, collaborating on designs from rough sketches with minimal guidance from a senior level technician
Teamwork and Communication
  • Proficient functioning as a member of a multi-discipline design team
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate well, both written and verbally
  • Ability to mentor junior Designer/Drafters
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

Technical Skills
  • Advanced skills in computer-aided drafting (CAD) and product data management (PDM) software tools used to produce models, drawings, layouts and sketches of components or systems
  • Advanced level understanding of modeling and drawing drafting principals, application of standards, symbols, notes, GD&T on drawings and models to capture design intent
  • Advanced understanding of ASME, ANSI, AWS and related industry standards for addressing fit, form and function
  • Advanced knowledge of principles for design, fabrication, assembly and fielding of components and mechanisms
  • Advanced understanding of component and tool design, fixturing, and facility equipment
  • Advanced understanding of engineering materials and their suitability for component design and manufacture
Discipline-Specific Knowledge
  • Advanced understanding of engineering, design, and drafting concepts related to one or more of the following disciplines: civil, architectural, mechanical, electro/mechanical, structural or electrical
Teamwork and Communication
  • Ability to mentor other designer/drafters
  • Experience with preparing and presenting AutoCAD training to classes of 20-30 Drafter/Designer
Education/Experience at Designer/Drafter 3: Position requires an Associate's Degree in an Engineering or Technical field and 3 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at Designer/Drafter 4: Position requires an Associate's Degree in an Engineering or Technical field and 5 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of DOE and LANL Engineering Standards and Conduct of Engineering principals and procedures


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 maternity 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 applicable 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 a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.