Location: Livermore, CA
Title: Engineering Technician V – Quality Assurance Technician (NWS 00934)
North Wind Services (NWS) is a high performing, low risk company with a successful history of contributing to their client's missions. NWS executes and manages a wide range of technical services such as environmental investigation and restoration, construction, demolition, radioactive and hazardous waste management, public communication/involvement, information management, health and safety, industrial hygiene, and emergency response/HAZMAT services.
North Wind Services is actively seeking individuals who can contribute to national security within the science, technology, and engineering fields as part of our supplemental labor team at vital federal research and development installations supporting the Department of Energy. Qualified applicants must be a US citizen, at least 18 years of age, and able to meet pre-employment requirements including any required physicals, drug screen, and/or background investigation to satisfy clearance requirements from the Department of Energy.
Successful candidates will be employees of NWS supporting the missions of their federal client, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, CA. Pay, benefits, Human Resources, and employment management functions are all provided by NWS. As an NWS employee working at LLNL, within the client's environment, you will complete day-to-day tasks, with direction from technical personnel directly employed by LLNL.
This position supports the National Ignition Facility (NIF) which is the world's largest and most energetic laser facility ever built. NIF is also the most precise and reproducible laser as well as the largest optical instrument. The giant laser has nearly 40,000 optics, which precisely guide, reflect, amplify, and focus 192 laser beams onto a fusion target about the size of a pencil eraser.
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is seeking a detail-oriented and self-motivated Engineering Technician V to perform incoming and outgoing inspection of large optical components used in critical operations. The primary responsibilities include inspecting finished and uncoated optics for surface flaws and contamination, documenting defects and particles, reviewing drawing specifications, creating inspection maps, and generating Nonconformance Reports (NCRs) when inspection results exceed requirements.
This role requires a highly observant technician who can evaluate optical surfaces for imperfections such as scratches, digs, stains, haze, inclusions, cracks, and edge chips. Inspections are performed in a Class 100 cleanroom and dark-room environment using a Camera, stage lighting, bright hand-held lighting and appropriate comparison and measurement tools. The successful candidate must be able to assess cleanliness, identify visible defects with unaided vision, estimate or measure defect size, and accurately record findings in accordance with established procedures and quality standards.
The successful candidate will work closely with production, engineering, and supervision to ensure optics meet drawing and specification requirements before release. The successful candidate will also maintain inspection documentation, support quality investigations, and communicate inspection results clearly and professionally.
Due to the vast and varying types of experiments, NIF is a 24/7 operational facility. This position may require the QA Technician to have the flexibility to work overtime, shifts and weekends to accomplish goals. This position may also require working alternate schedules such as 4/10 or evening shifts. The successful candidate will be required to pass various on‐site training modules to pursue work assignments. The successful candidate will be required to obtain a Q-Level Security Clearance through the Department of Energy.
Essential Duties
- Perform incoming and outgoing inspection of large, finished, and uncoated optics in accordance with approved procedures and drawing requirements.
- Inspect optical surfaces for flaws including scratches, digs, stains, haze, inclusions, cracks, edge chips, and other visible imperfections.
- Inspect optics for surface contamination, including particles and organic haze, prior to defect inspection.
- Verify optic serial numbers and ensure inspection records and maps are properly aligned to part orientation.
- Review drawings, specifications, prior NCRs, and inspection requirements before beginning inspection.
- Document defects and contamination on inspection maps with accurate location, type, and estimated or measured size.
- Use inspection aids and measurement tools such as comparator cards, scratch/dig standards, microscopes, and loupes to evaluate defect size and severity.
- Methodically inspect each optical surface using controlled lighting and scanning techniques to ensure complete coverage.
- Follow written operational, quality, and safety procedures while completing assigned work.
- Adhere to cleanroom protocols, including proper gowning procedures, to maintain contamination control standards within the inspection environment.
- Communicate effectively with technicians, engineers, supervisors, and other stakeholders regarding inspection status and quality issues.
Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- A.S., or equivalent experience, in Optical or Mechanical technologies.
- Experience with production technologies, including evaluating and testing processes.
- Ability to perform work deliberately, carefully, and safely.
- Demonstrated ability to work within deadlines to perform multiple tasks and communicate effectively with managers and customers.
- Ability to follow detailed procedures and accurately record process parameters.
- Experience with databases, data manipulation skills, personal computers, and associated software.
- Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks and changing priorities.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills necessary to interact with a diverse group of personalities and disciplines.
Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Experience performing visual quality inspections on optical, precision, or high-value components.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and inspection criteria.
- Familiarity with scratch/dig inspection standards and defect documentation practices.
- Experience creating NCRs and maintaining quality records.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work methodically in controlled inspection environments.
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision while maintaining accuracy and consistency.
- Previous cleanroom experience, including familiarity with gowning requirements, contamination control practices, and protocol compliance.
Special Requirements
Pre-Placement Medical Exam: A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be required.
Pre-employment drug test: External applicants selected for this position will be required to pass a post offer, pre-employment drug test.
Anticipated Government Clearance Level: Q (position will be cleared to this level). Applicants who are selected will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matters. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold multiple citizenships (U.S. and another country), you may be required to renounce your non-U.S. citizenship before a DOE L or Q clearance will be processed/granted.
North Wind offers a competitive pay and benefits package to include health, life, and disability insurance benefits, 401(k) with company match, generous paid leave, and tuition reimbursement for eligible employees. As a company, we are committed to employee wellness, professional development, and work-life balance. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our people. For more information about benefits or hiring philosophy, visit the North Wind Career Opportunities Page.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The nature of those accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Helpline +1.208.528.8718 or use the Request for Reasonable Accommodation (https://northwindgrp.com/careers/request-for-reasonable-accommodation-confidential/) form to get assistance.
North Wind is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, or other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information NW collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here: https://northwindgrp.com/wp-com (https://northwindgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/HRP-5047-California-Privacy-Policy.pdf) .
