Location: Livermore, CA
Title: Design Drafter – Mechanical Designer (NWS 00928)
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.
The Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) of the Engineering Directorate has multiple openings for highly qualified Designer Drafter – Mechanical Designer in support of the Integrated Engineering and Design Group. This group supports the LLNL Strategic Deterrence (SD) program including Weapon Technology Engineering (WTE), and other programs. Projects typically involve very sophisticated designs and require fast paced, highly skilled, and trained employees. Working under general direction, the successful candidates will work independently in applying innovative technical expertise to create original design solutions addressing diverse engineering projects and complex design problems. The successful candidates will support design solutions with documentation and calculations by preparing mechanical designs, mechanical drawing packages, schedules, and status reports. May use independent discretion to set priorities. Successful candidate will collaborate with scientists, engineers, and high-level technical personnel to independently formulate advanced technical solutions. Frequent decision-making is to be based on interpreting and analyzing complex data. Successful candidates will make independent technical decisions that may have significant impact to broad segments or sections of a project with moderate to high consequence of error.
This position will require initiative and the exercise of independent judgment while following laboratory policies and procedures, industry standards and specifications. This position will report programmatically to the Program Leader or his designee, and administratively to the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED) Group Supervisor within the Engineering Directorate.
This position may require the successful candidate have the flexibility to work overtime, shift and or weekends to accomplish goals. The successful candidate will be required to pass various on-site training modules to pursue work assignments.
Essential Duties
- Perform development, concept, and completion of detailed designs of hardware and equipment, high vacuum, precision manipulation, optomechanical sensor systems, sensor payloads, and other mechanical applications for a variety of mechanical instruments and apparatus.
- Apply advanced knowledge of 3D CAD modeling of design concepts using PTC Creo
- Provide advanced conceptual designs and layouts; generate fabrication, assembly, and installation drawings; develop other documentation for all design.
- Present designs and participate in formal design reviews.
- Advise in the design, fabrication, and installation of hardware.
- Review and approve drawings for accuracy, completeness, form, fit, and function.
- Perform detailed interference and tolerance stack-up analyses to validate form, fit, function, and cost optimization of each design; understand and demonstrate competence with engineering formulas and calculations.
- Perform additional job duties as assigned.
Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- AS degree, or equivalent with applicable experience in the mechanical engineering field.
- Working knowledge of developing design concepts with a broad background in various project-related sub-disciplines.
- Experience within the scope of conception, design, fabrication, materials, and prototyping projects from start to finish.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze tolerance stack-ups.
- Advanced knowledge of 3D CAD modeling of design concepts using PTC Creo
- Advanced knowledge of the standards, procedures, and techniques related to drafting including ASMEY14.5M Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing standard
- Experience working as a member of a project team with engineers, scientists, designers, high-level technicians, and coordinators.
- Ability to present concepts and ideas in a clear and coherent manner in both verbal and written form to peers and managers and to small and large groups as needed and required.
- Ability to independently solve problems and achieve results on schedule.
- Skills in Microsoft software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.
Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical/engineering technology or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Applied experience with the Pro-E Mechanical/Creo Simulate performing engineering analysis (FEA, thermal calculations).
- Significant experience making independent, fundamental decisions regarding a variety of technical problems.
- Advanced knowledge in engineering analysis, design, fabrication, assembly techniques and materials, material properties, and manufacturing methods.
- Applied experience with PTC Windchill.
- Experience in reviewing and verifying the accuracy of work performed by peers and other engineering disciplines as needed.
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) .
