Technician II/III: Drafter and CAD specialist

Technician II/III: Drafter and CAD Specialist Location CO - Golden Position Type Regular Hours Per Week 40 Working at NLR NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado. Job Description The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is seeking an experienced Design Drafter and CAD Specialist to create, revise, maintain, and control technical drawing files supporting research operations. In this role, you will collaborate with cross‑functional stakeholders—including engineers, technicians, and project managers—to ensure research equipment is accurately designed, approved, fabricated, installed, and maintained. Your work will span a diverse range of projects, from high‑level facility layouts to component‑level detail drawings. This position requires strong technical drafting knowledge alongside advanced CAD proficiency. The successful candidate will produce accurate, organized, and reusable drawings to support ongoing design, maintenance, troubleshooting, and project planning efforts. This position is based in Golden, Colorado at the South Table Mountain Campus and requires primarily on‑site work. Primary Responsibilities Develop and update detailed 2D drawings and 3D models using AutoCAD and SolidWorks from field measurements, redlines, sketches, vendor data, and physical photographs. Maintain comprehensive drawings of facility layouts, architectural backgrounds, equipment arrangements, and process systems. Apply core architectural drafting principles to existing facility conditions to develop floor plans, elevations, and section views, detailing equipment dimensions and clearances. Create and maintain internal schematics documenting compressed gas lines, flow paths, valves, regulators, instrumentation, and other components (internal P&ID equivalents). Design 3D models and fully dimensioned 2D drawings for fabrication, develop bills of materials (BOMs) from assemblies, including simple brackets, custom vacuum hardware or fixtures, and compressed gas panel BOMs. Maintain CAD files with disciplined layer control, XREFs, blocks, viewports, and strict file‑naming conventions; use Model Space for design geometry and Paper Space for sheet layouts, annotations, and plotting. Support record drawing control by preserving historic files, separating active project work from master files, and incorporating approved revisions into the record set. Conduct field verification in laboratories, reviewing drawings against physical field conditions to identify and correct discrepancies. Collaborate with engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel to clarify design intent and verify technical data. Champion internal CAD standards and procedures while providing technical guidance and knowledge transfer to staff without a formal drafting background. Basic Qualifications High School Diploma or equivalent with 4 or more years of experience or relevant education/experience, or Associate’s Degree or certification program with 2 or more years of experience. Full knowledge of specialized focused support functions and practical application to typical problems and situations. Proficient in research techniques, communication, interpersonal, project management, and customer relations skills. Eligibility Requirements This position requires access to sensitive information, Government facilities, and/or Government information systems restricted to individuals with US citizenship. Only US citizens at the time of application will be considered. The position also requires access to Controlled Unclassified Information. Applicants may be excluded based on citizenship per DOE O 471.7, Controlled Unclassified Information. Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date. Additional Required Qualifications Strong proficiency in architectural drafting, facility documentation, and CAD best practices. Proven machine‑design drafting capability for fabricated parts, fixturing, and equipment modifications. Familiarity with industry drafting standards (e.g., ASME Y14.5). Practical understanding of fabrication methods, mechanical assembly requirements, fasteners, and tolerances. Ability to interpret complex technical drawings, redlines, field sketches, and vendor documentation. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams). Strong attention to detail, communication skills, and organizational habits. Preferred Qualifications Hands‑on experience building, troubleshooting, or maintaining mechanical, electrical, or process piping systems; ability to read, create, and revise electrical schematics. Knowledge of fluid/pressure systems and components, specifically Swagelok components. Experience with Unistrut, 8020, or other modular industrial framing systems. Experience with metal fabrication tools such as drill presses, bandsaws, Bridgeport style mills, and lathes. Experience with 3D printing or other rapid prototyping. Annual Salary Range Research Technician III: $57,900 - $95,500; Research Technician II: $51,200 - $81,900. Salary determination considers education, training, experience, quality of work, travel, market, internal alignment, and seniority. Benefits Summary Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short‑ and long‑term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; life and accident insurance; personal time off and sick leave; paid holidays; tuition reimbursement. Eligibility based on specific criteria. Badging Requirement All employees must maintain a federal PIV card per Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and undergo a background investigation. Drug Free Workplace NLR is committed to maintaining a drug‑free workplace in accordance with federal law. Employees must pass a pre‑employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other protected status. Reasonable Accommodations Applicants requiring accommodations to complete the application process may request reasonable accommodations. E‑Verify is used to confirm legal eligibility to work. #J-18808-Ljbffr National Laboratory of the Rockies