Straw, who has worked at Los Alamos for 31 years in a variety of engineering, manufacturing and management positions, will lead scientific and technical work on weapons engineering and manufacturing technologies. He also will provide direct oversight of weapons system stewardship activities in the directorate.
"John has expertise in manufacturing process and technology development as well as program, project and line management experience at multiple levels at the Laboratory," Mah said. "His combined technical expertise and management experience make him the ideal choice for the position of deputy in Weapons Engineering and Manufacturing."
Straw has worked in welding, joining and fabrication process technologies and in manufacturing process development. His extensive supervisory and management experience includes leading four key projects: B61 Acorn development; W76 Acorn development; W88 Terrazzo development; and engineering design of advanced concept nuclear weapons.
Straw was associate group leader for gas transfer systems and program manager for nuclear reconfiguration and for the device fabrication facility. Most recently, he served as deputy division leader for program execution and as acting division leader in the Nuclear Materials Technology Division, where he led the division in delivering the W88 certifiable pit, Qual 1, a critical milestone for the Laboratory.
Straw began his career as a process development engineer at the Kaiser Aluminum Center for Technology in California. He holds master's and bachelor's degrees from the University of Kentucky, both in metallurgical engineering.
"I am honored and excited to have this opportunity to provide leadership for the weapons engineering and manufacturing activities in the nuclear weapons program. This is vitally important work for the nation and the Laboratory," said Straw. "I look forward to the many challenges in ensuring the continued safety and reliability of the nation's nuclear deterrent."
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.