By Hannah Grover
A new director is taking the reins at Sandia National Laboratories.
Laura J. McGill will become the 17th person to lead the organization when she takes over as director in May. She has served as the labs’ deputy director for nuclear deterrence and as the chief technologies officer.
McGill will replace current director, James Peery, who is retiring at the end of April. Peery announced his retirement plans in October.
“I am honored to lead Sandia National Laboratories and build upon its rich legacy of scientific excellence and national service,” McGill said in a news release. “Together with this tremendously talented workforce, we will further advance our capabilities and performance, enhancing the nation’s response to evolving security challenges.”
McGill’s career has centered around national security and she has guided how Sandia contributes to the nuclear weapons system. She has also led strategic initiatives and emerging technologies that have helped Sandia become better prepared to meet future national security challenges.
Her experience expands beyond the national labs. Before she joined Sandia, she spent more than 30 years working in the defense industry, including serving as deputy vice president of engineering at Raytheon Missiles & Defense.
McGill was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2019 because of her leadership while working on missile systems for the United States and its allies.
She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in aeronautical and astronautical engineering and a master’s degree from West Coast University in aerospace systems. McGill has also taught as an adjunct professor at John Hopkins University’s Whiting School of Engineering.
“Laura’s extensive experience in defense systems engineering and her proven leadership within Sandia make her exceptionally qualified to guide the Laboratories into the future,” Rich DeGraff, chair of the National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC Board of Managers and president of control systems at Honeywell Aerospace, said in a press release. “Her commitment to national security, innovation and modern engineering aligns perfectly with Sandia’s mission.”