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Laura McGill named new director of Sandia Labs
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Sandia National Laboratories is promoting from within.
Laura McGill, the deputy laboratories director for nuclear deterrence and chief technology officer at Sandia since 2021, will succeed James Peery as director, lab officials said in a news release.
McGill on May 1 will become the 17th director of Sandia, a federally funded research and development center that employs thousands and plays a key role in national security.
“Laura’s extensive experience in defense systems engineering and her proven leadership within Sandia makes her exceptionally qualified to guide the Laboratories into the future,” said Rich DeGraff, chair of the National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC board of managers and president of control systems at Honeywell Aerospace. “Her commitment to national security, innovation and modern engineering aligns perfectly with Sandia’s mission.”
McGill’s previous post as deputy director involved overseeing the safety, security, effectiveness and modernization of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, and guiding Sandia’s contributions to nuclear weapon systems engineering, development and surveillance.
Before joining Sandia, McGill spent the last three decades in the defense industry, notably at Raytheon Missiles & Defense. There, Sandia officials said, she oversaw the development and operational support for advanced weapons systems for the federal Department of Defense and held the position of vice president of engineering.
McGill holds a master’s degree in aerospace systems from West Coast University and a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Washington.
Her predecessor, Peery, announced his retirement in October 2024. Peery has held the position since January 2020 and will retire at the end of April.
