Mechanical Design Engineer (NWS 00948)
North Wind Group· Government Relations· Oct 7, 2026 · 21d ago
LIVERMORE, CA, US
In office
Full-time
Principal
$133K–$210K est.
Job description
Location: Livermore, CA
Title: Mechanical Design Engineer (NWS 00948)
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 National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS)/Light Matter and Fusion (LMF) Directorate has multiple openings for qualified Mechanical Design Engineers. Applicants must possess a passion and enthusiasm for mechanical engineering; one that is looking for a challenge to “think out of the box” and have the skills to forecast needed changes to continue high achievement and excellence. Successful candidates must have high ability in past engineering projects and positions, being able to demonstrate from conception to completion of large scale or complex projects. NIF is a state-of-the art, one-of-a-kind facility that requires fast-paced, highly skilled, and trained employees.
NIF is seeking to enhance its core staff with people who can lead future design and engineering efforts as NIF continues its scientific journey through operations in its experimental facility. These mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical, laser, and optical systems require advanced technical skills to work on very sophisticated designs. This requires a versatile, broad-based Mechanical Design Engineer capable of developing, individually or with other Mechanical Engineers and Engineers of various disciplines to provide: 1) novel and innovative designs, 2) exacting specifications, 3) processes and procedures for the installation and commissioning of the hardware, 4) interactions with vendors and finally 5) integration of the hardware in complex systems. The successful candidate will work within the NIF and Photon Science Engineering Design group. This unique group requires the flexibility and openness to move within the design group to where their skills will be needed most. Because of the vast and varying types of experience required by each program, this position will require the Mechanical Design Engineer to have the ability to be flexible, working within various NIF departments that require design assistance. NIF&PS/LMF program will provide the successful candidates with an opportunity to be part of an elite team in advancing forward into the future of lasers and advanced science and physics.
This position may require the successful candidate to have the flexibility to work overtime to accomplish goals. The successful candidate will be required to pass various on-site training modules to pursue work assignments.
The successful candidate is required to give a presentation that demonstrates essential and required duties and skills, knowledge, and abilities. This presentation is required at the time of the interview.
Essential Duties
- Perform development, concept, and completion of detailed designs of hardware for laser, optics, mechanical and diagnostic applications.
- Apply advanced knowledge of 3D CAD modeling of design concepts using PTC Creo Parametric.
- Develop assembly and detailed fabrication specification drawings and documentation for all designs.
- Perform interference and tolerance stack-up analyses to validate form, fit, function and cost optimization of each design.
- Apply basic stress/strain analyses to substantiate sizing and material decisions of all components.
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 its various sub-disciplines – mechanical, optical, and electrical.
- Experience within the scope of conception, design, fabrication and materials, prototyping projects from start to finish.
- Must have the ability and attitude to develop a project from start to finish (should be able to provide examples from past jobs).
- Demonstrated ability to produce and analyze tolerance stack-ups.
- Extensive working knowledge of parametric solid modeling.
- Experience creating fabrication drawings that utilize Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (ASME Y14.5).
- Experience creating assembly drawings that show assembly and design intent.
- Experience working as a member of a project team with engineers, scientists, designers, technicians, and coordinators.
- Ability to present concepts and ideas in a clear and coherent manner both verbally and written to peers and managers in presentation form and report form, 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.
- Must be able to meet pre-employment requirements consisting of a physical, drug screen and background investigation under clearance requirements from the Department of Energy.
Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Applied experience with the Creo Parametric / Creo Simulate.
- Applied experience with PTC Windchill PDM system creating Eng. Change Requests (ECRs) and Eng. Change Notices (ECNs).
- Experience in reviewing and verifying the accuracy of work performed by peers and other engineering disciplines, as needed.
- Perform structural and/or thermal analyses to prove technical basis of proposed design to define materials, calculations for stress and strain, and the materials required.
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 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: northwindgrp.com .
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