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John A. Hill

Associate Laboratory Director, Weapons Engineering (ALDW)

John Hill ALDW

Introduction

John A. Hill is LANL’s Chief Engineer and Associate Laboratory Director for Weapons Engineering (ALDW), leading engineering design, testing, and stewardship that underpin stockpile safety, security, and performance. He integrates large, multidisciplinary teams to qualify systems and modernize components, partnering across design physics and production to deliver credible deterrence.

Background

Hill brings more than four decades of experience in complex weapons engineering and national defense. Before joining Los Alamos, he twice led the U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs Reentry Systems Branch (SP28), most recently in 2023 under a Department of Energy Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignment. His career includes deep technical leadership in reentry systems, system qualification, and mission execution across high-hazard environments. At LANL, Hill leads an associate directorate of more than 1,500 engineers and scientists responsible for rigorous assessment of the aging stockpile, prediction of long-term system performance, and development of modernized designs and improved components. He champions disciplined engineering, relentless safety focus, and strong partnerships across the Nuclear Security Enterprise to ensure end-to-end integration from design through test and production interface. Hill’s leadership emphasizes digital transformation of engineering workflows and the mentoring of early-career talent to sustain critical capabilities for the nation’s deterrent.

Education

  • B.S. in aerospace and ocean engineering — Virginia Tech
  • M.S. in aerospace engineering and applied mechanics — University of Cincinnati
  • Career leadership in Navy SSP Reentry Systems (SP28)

Area Managed

ALDW delivers end-to-end systems engineering: component maturation, design integration, environmental qualification, and execution of flight and ground testing. ALDW tightly couples with design physics and production to sustain a safe, secure, effective stockpile, applying rigorous standards and innovative methods to meet national objectives.