•Improved detail design of several NHF FW panels for ITER.•Implemented design solutions to improve the manufacturing of NHF FW panels.•Performed FEM simulations for the overall assessment of NHF FW panels.•Performed detailed analyses for integration of diagnostics in the NHF FW panels. A typical NHF FW panel consists of a series of fingers, which represent the elementary plasma facing units and are designed to withstand 15,000 cycles at 2MW/m2. The fingers are mechanically joined and supported by a back structural element or “supporting beam”. The structure of a finger is made of three different materials: stainless steel for the supporting structure, copper chromium zirconium for the heat sink, and beryllium as armour material. Due to their location and to the interfaces with other systems (e.g. Diagnostics, Remote Handling), the NHF FW panels are divided in different main and minor variants. The aim of this paper is to present the design work performed towards the PA signature. CAD detailed models have been created in CATIA for main and minor variants. Examples of local design solutions, as well as design work to achieve the global configuration of specific modules are provided. Finite Element (FE) analyses have been carried out, in order to simulate the operational scenario of ITER and assess the thermo-mechanical behaviour of the most important FW panels against the required design criteria. This design and analyses activity is required to progress towards the finalization of the detailed design of the NHF FW main and minor variants.