AIAA congratulates Laura McGill, who begins her new role as director of Sandia National Laboratories on 1 May. For more than seven decades, Sandia, a federally funded research and development center, has served as the nation’s premier science and engineering laboratory for national security and technology innovation. Key thrusts of the multimission laboratory include developing technologies for nuclear stockpile safety, cybersecurity, and energy solutions.
McGill brings extensive experience in defense systems engineering. She served as both the deputy labs director for nuclear deterrence and as the chief technology officer, demonstrating a strong commitment to national security, innovation, and modern engineering. As director, she will oversee Sandia’s diverse portfolio of national security programs, ensuring the continued delivery of innovative solutions to complex challenges.
“Sandia National Laboratories plays a critical role in ensuring our nation’s security through our scientific advancements and engineering innovation,” McGill explained. “As the premier national lab in Engineering, we develop technology solutions that address evolving global threats. Our expertise in nuclear deterrence, aerospace and defense systems, radiation-hardened microelectronics and systems integration is essential to maintaining security in an increasingly complex world. It is a privilege to lead such an extraordinary team of scientists and engineers as we continue to deliver on Sandia’s critical missions in service to the nation.”
McGill spent over four years as deputy Labs director for Nuclear Deterrence, where she ensured the safety, security, effectiveness, and modernization of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. She has guided Sandia’s contributions to nuclear weapon systems engineering, development, and surveillance.
As CTO, she led strategic initiatives and emerging technologies, positioning Sandia to meet future national security challenges.
In her over 35-year career, McGill also has served the larger aerospace community with distinction, noted Clay Mowry, AIAA CEO.
“As a Lifetime Member and Fellow of AIAA, Laura stands out as an influential leader and dedicated volunteer,” said Mowry, pointing to her service as AIAA president from 2022 to 2024 and her chairmanship of the AIAA Foundation.
“In her current role as chair of the AIAA Foundation, Laura has championed opportunities for future aerospace professionals. Her legacy of innovation and leadership will continue to inspire generations to come,” he added.
That commitment was reflected in her congratulatory remarks to the 2025 International Student Conference winners, who were recognized at the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum.
Calling them “the future leaders in aerospace,” McGill said, “These bright minds are today’s up-and-coming innovators. Their fresh perspectives and critical thinking are working to solve current technical challenges. They will help shape the aerospace landscape for decades to come.”
Before joining Sandia, McGill dedicated more than 30 years to the defense industry, where she served as deputy vice president of Engineering at Raytheon Missiles & Defense, an organization of 15,000 engineers and scientists, where she led the development and operational support for advanced weapons systems for the Department of Defense. In 2019, she was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in recognition of her significant contributions to the field.
