Sandia National Laboratories is a premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation. Sandia is one of three Defense Programs laboratories in the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and has two main facilities, the original laboratory and corporate headquarters in Albuquerque, N.M., and a second R&D laboratory in Livermore, Calif., which also serves as the home base of Sandia’s Division 8000.
The origins of Sandia can be traced to Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Z Division, which was created in 1945 for ordnance design, testing, and assembly. As the division grew, it moved to Sandia Base outside of Albuquerque, was renamed “Sandia Laboratory” in 1948, and then officially separated from Los Alamos in 1949. Sandia’s California laboratory was established in 1956, and Sandia was designated a national laboratory in 1979. Sandia National Laboratories is now managed for the NNSA by Lockheed Martin.
From its inception, Sandia’s enduring mission has been to apply science and technology to create a more secure world. The initial focus on providing engineering design for nonnuclear components in the nation’s nuclear weapons has expanded over the years to encompass the everchanging issues of concern to national security. Sandia’s world-class team now performs a wide variety of R&D work to meet national needs in the following strategic mission areas:
Visit our corporate website to learn more about these mission areas.
Sandia/California takes pride in our ability to attract and retain the best and the brightest to tackle the most pressing challenges in our world today. We have about 900 employees; some 250 contractors, postdoctoral fellows, and student interns; and an annual budget of approximately $200M. The primary sponsors for Sandia/California projects are the U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense. We also actively partner with other government agencies, industry, and academic institutions to bring Sandia-developed technologies to the marketplace and thus benefit our nation and the world.
Uniquely situated at the edge of the San Francisco Bay Area, Sandia/California enjoys close proximity to first-tier universities, Silicon Valley companies, other cutting-edge research laboratories and facilities, and a plethora of cultural and recreational opportunities. For jobseekers, Sandia/California offers the opportunity to join stellar scientists, engineers, and professionals on multidisciplinary teams and pursue fulfilling, challenging research at the leading edge of advanced technology. In addition, Sandia/California supports employees in balancing their work and personal lives by providing a family-friendly environment with generous benefits and flexible schedules.
We invite you to explore our website, learn about the work we are conducting on behalf of our great nation, and discover how you can join our team through partnership, funding, or employment at Sandia/California.