Senior/Principal Computer Aided Design & Drafting Technologist - Z Machine, Onsite
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, USA
Job posting number: #7333912 (Ref:Sa697858)
Posted: May 12, 2026
Job Description
About Sandia:
Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
- Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
- Extraordinary co-workers
- Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
- Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
- Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
- Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
*These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like:
We are seeking a Computer Aided Design and Drafting Technologist to join our dynamic team of engineers and scientists developing groundbreaking technologies in one of our Pulsed Power Sciences Departments! Are you passionate about mechanical design and the creation and configuration management of 3D models and detailed drawings? If so, consider this opportunity to design new components applying engineering principles and processes to satisfy fit, form and function requirements in collaborative environment with engineering and design partners.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Create 3D models and drawings to build next generation accelerators and pulsed power machines.
- Partner with engineers and scientists in developing designs.
- Partner with engineers to discuss and interpret design concepts and identify requirements of detailed working drawings.
- Collaborate with procurement, manufacturing, and suppliers to discuss design, schedule, manufacturing processes and materials selections to ensure contractual agreements are understood and achievable.
- Manage documentation in collaborative engineering environment using product data management tools along with engineering authorization and approval processes and procedures.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite.
Salary Range:
$74,700 - $144,400
*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.
Qualifications We Require:
- High school diploma plus three or more years of directly related experience in Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD), or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Proficiency in creating mechanical product design definition to include 3D solid models and 2D mechanical drawings
- Proficiency with PTC/CREO, PDMLink (Windchill), and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance
Qualifications We Desire:
- Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology or equivalent experience
- Five or more years of relevant experience
- Experience with foundational engineering principles related to design, manufacturing, configuration management and analysis
- Experience with Pulsed Power Systems (mechanical systems in extreme high current and voltage environments)
- Proven record of demonstrating initiative and getting results
- Knowledge of relevant Sandia procedures, standards, and guides
- Ability to work in energetic and high-performance teaming environment
- Experience directing and overseeing fabrication of hardware
- Must be able to independently seek definition, evaluate, analyze, and then realize mechanical designs, definitions, and products
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present to diverse audiences
About Our Team:
The Pulsed Power Sciences Center (1600) is accountable for advancing the understanding, development, and application of pulsed power for the missions of the nuclear weapons program. The Center also utilizes its major experimental, theoretical, and computational capabilities to meet the national security and fundamental science needs of our diverse Sandia and external customers. Center 1600 is Sandia's primary organization for research in High Energy Density Physics (HEDP), Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF), Advanced Radiography, Pulsed Power Science and Technology, and Fusion Technologies.
The Pulsed Power Engineering and Design Organization (1690) supports the engineering needs for the Pulsed Power Sciences Center by providing advanced engineering, design, and documentation services supporting Sandia's current and future pulsed power enterprise. Additionally, the Organization supports other Sandia groups and external partners with engineering services though advance analysis, testing, and design.
Posting Duration:
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
Security Clearance:
Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.
Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.
EEO:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
Position Information:
This Limited Term Employee (LTE) position is a temporary position for one year term, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to a maximum of seven years.
Individuals in LTE positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.
Job ID: 697858
Job Family: RD
Regular/Temporary Position: T
Full/Part-Time Status: F
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.


