David Dooley
Introduction
David Dooley leads the Weapons Production directorate (ALDWP), responsible for plutonium pit, detonator, and heat source manufacturing and related production operations in the Laboratory’s Plutonium Facility (PF-4). He oversees component production, surveillance, materials management, and quality, ensuring safe, compliant delivery supporting national deterrence and NASA deep-space missions.
Background
Dooley has 27 years of leadership in nuclear facilities and production across three Department of Energy sites. At Los Alamos, he directs pit manufacturing and component production with an emphasis on conduct of operations, workforce training, and continuous improvement. His portfolio spans detonator production, non-nuclear components, plutonium processing and disposition, surveillance, nuclear materials management, waste operations, and power-supply manufacturing for NASA missions. He integrates more than 2,400 fulltime employees across approximately 80 organizations to meet enterprise delivery schedules and milestones for modern programs such as W87-1. Partnering closely with National Nuclear Security Administration and production agencies, Dooley advances modernization of equipment, safety management systems, and manufacturing science to ensure sustained capacity and quality. His leadership reinforces mission readiness while building resilient teams and process discipline in a high-hazard production environment.
Education
- MS, Nuclear Engineering — North Carolina State University
- PhD, Materials Science/Metallurgy — Colorado School of Mines
- BS Nuclear Engineering — Kansas State University
Area Managed
ALDWP executes plutonium pit manufacturing and component production at PF-4 and associated facilities, integrating nuclear safety, operations, and quality assurance. The directorate delivers certified components, conducts surveillance, and sustains specialized processes to meet enterprise requirements on schedule.