Laura McGill, a 30-year veteran of the defense industry, has been designated as the next director of Sandia National Laboratories.
Sandia Labs said Tuesday McGill’s tenure as the 17th laboratories director will officially start on May 1. She will succeed James Peery, who is set to retire at the end of April.
Who Is Laura McGill?
McGill has been with the engineering laboratory for over four years having joined in January 2021. She most recently served as the deputy laboratories director for nuclear deterrence. She directed the ND programs and established technical strategies to ensure Sandia’s nuclear weapons portfolio achieved modernization and stockpile reliability. She also served as chief technology officer where she was responsible for Sandia’s strategic initiatives and emerging technologies.
Before joining Sandia Labs, McGill served at Raytheon’s Missile Systems business for over 14 years. She was the vice president of engineering tasked with overseeing the technical development and operational support for its advanced missiles and radar systems for the Department of Defense. She also served as chief engineer for air warfare systems from 2007 to 2012.
McGill is a lifetime fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. She is currently its president and a member of the board of directors.
Rich DeGraff, chair of the board of managers of Sandia’s National Technology and Engineering Solutions, said, “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.”
