## [About Us](/about-us) # About Us ## Our Mission Stewardship of the U.S. nuclear deterrent is our foremost responsibility. We integrate science, technology, engineering, and facilities to meet the nation’s objective of a modern stockpile that is smaller, more secure, and more effective, while actively collaborating with partners within the [National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)](https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/national-nuclear-security-administration) complex and beyond. To refurbish the aging U.S. nuclear stockpile and to support changes in military requirements, Livermore is leading the design activities for two U.S. stockpile modernization programs – the life extension of the [W80-4 warhead](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/2022-10/modernizationprograms2022sept.pdf), which will be paired with the new long-range standoff missile, and the modification of the [W87-1 warhead](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/2022-10/modernizationprograms2022sept.pdf), which will be paired with the new [Sentinel ICBM](https://www.afnwc.af.mil/Weapon-Systems/Sentinel-ICBM-LGM-35A/). The W80-4 warhead will be the first since the end of nuclear testing in 1992 to be paired with a new delivery system, and the W87-1 will be the first complete rebuild of a nuclear warhead in that same quarter-century timeframe. The ongoing [Stockpile Stewardship Program](https://sd.llnl.gov/nuclear-deterrence/stockpile-stewardship) and the hands-on nature of the U.S. nuclear weapons modernization efforts is extremely important to maintaining confidence in the nation's ability to address nuclear security needs by exercising our workforce and forging partnerships with our partners in the nuclear security enterprise, industry, and academia. ## Our Programs Explore SD’s four key program areas to learn more about how each contributes to the success of our mission.​ 1. 2. 3. 4. Weapon Physics and Design Ensuring the enduring credibility of the U.S. deterrence policy through improving the safety, security, and effectiveness of the stockpile without nuclear testing. [Learn more](https://sd-stage.llnl.gov/about-us/organizations#weapon-tech-engineering) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-06/wci-scorpius-tunnel-model_00011_1-slider_0.jpg?itok=P6esi6Dv) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-06/wci-scorpius-tunnel-model_00011_1-slider_0.jpg?itok=P6esi6Dv) Weapon Physics and Design Ensuring the enduring credibility of the U.S. deterrence policy through improving the safety, security, and effectiveness of the stockpile without nuclear testing. [Learn more](https://sd-stage.llnl.gov/about-us/organizations#weapon-tech-engineering) Weapons Infrastructure Supporting stockpile stewardship and sustainment through the modernization of nuclear weapons program equipment and facilities. [Learn more](https://sd-stage.llnl.gov/about-us/organizations#weapons-infrastructure) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-05/facilities_2020_b225_0828-sky-w-carousel.jpg?itok=828zKSpQ) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-05/facilities_2020_b225_0828-sky-w-carousel.jpg?itok=828zKSpQ) Weapons Infrastructure Supporting stockpile stewardship and sustainment through the modernization of nuclear weapons program equipment and facilities. [Learn more](https://sd-stage.llnl.gov/about-us/organizations#weapons-infrastructure) Weapon Simulation and Computing Delivering the capabilities needed to support the nation’s nuclear weapons program with state-of-the-art simulations, powerful computers, and world-class facilities. [Learn more](https://sd-stage.llnl.gov/about-us/organizations#weapon-simulation-computing) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-05/s-tr-super-computer-1-25-17_43k3817.jpg?itok=No4SaSpE) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-05/s-tr-super-computer-1-25-17_43k3817.jpg?itok=No4SaSpE) Weapon Simulation and Computing Delivering the capabilities needed to support the nation’s nuclear weapons program with state-of-the-art simulations, powerful computers, and world-class facilities. [Learn more](https://sd-stage.llnl.gov/about-us/organizations#weapon-simulation-computing) Weapon Technologies and Engineering Addressing next-generation national security challenges in weapons engineering through multidisciplinary collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation. [Learn more](https://sd-stage.llnl.gov/about-us/organizations#weapon-simulation-computing) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-05/stilr_32425_gak_holly-barth_q5i0593.jpg?itok=shgXXZG4) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-05/stilr_32425_gak_holly-barth_q5i0593.jpg?itok=shgXXZG4) Weapon Technologies and Engineering Addressing next-generation national security challenges in weapons engineering through multidisciplinary collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation. [Learn more](https://sd-stage.llnl.gov/about-us/organizations#weapon-simulation-computing) Previous Next ## Our People: Mission Critical Our team is deeply committed to the success of LLNL’s national security mission and related programs. SD is looking for talented, innovative people who take pride in their work and want to contribute to national security challenges. Our staff’s expertise includes a broad range of scientific disciplines—from weapons engineering, and plasma physics, to materials sciences and high-performance computing. We offer a variety of employment opportunities including career positions, postdoctoral research, and summer programs for students. ![icon ship steering wheel](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/scaled_150w/public/2022-06/icon-leadership-steering-wheel_0.png?itok=yoOBQ_7H "icon-leadership-steering-wheel.png") [Leadership ](https://sd.llnl.gov/about-us/organizations/wci-management-team) ![icon hands in a circle](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/scaled_150w/public/2022-06/icon-hand-in-circle_1.png?itok=aMUho23s "icon-hand-in-circle.png") [Our People ](https://sd.llnl.gov/careers/our-people) ![icon round steps leading to an open door](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/scaled_150w/public/2022-07/icon-open-door-careers_0.png?itok=kk0aw70i "icon-open-door-careers_0.png") [Join Our Team ](https://sd.llnl.gov/careers) ## Our Partners We actively collaborate with our production partners and other DOE national laboratories, academic institutions, and industry to tackle challenging problems in support of national security and basic science. These collaborative projects serve as a force multiplier, resulting in outcomes that directly benefit the national security enterprise as well as U.S. economy. Much of SD's research is conducted in collaboration with other organizations within Lawrence Livermore. Career opportunities also exist through LLNL’s discipline organizations in engineering, physical and life sciences, and computing.​ ![Sierra supercomputer](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/2021-11/sierra-supercomputer.jpg "sierra-supercomputer.jpg") [Supercomputer Collaboration ](http://computing.llnl.gov/) Advancing the frontier of supercomputing architecture with industrial partners ![Flight test of Minuteman III missle](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/2021-11/flight-test-minuteman-iii.jpg "flight-test-minuteman-iii.jpg") [Department of Defense Support ](http://www.llnl.gov/missions/defense) Supporting critical Department of Defense (DOD) missions such as remote high-speed diagnostics during flight tests ![Engineers studying equipment in action](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/2021-11/engineer-studing-equipment-in-action.jpg "engineer-studying-equipment-in-action") [Production Partnerships ](https://sd.llnl.gov/about-us/our-partners) Accelerating technology development to meet challenging schedules ## Our Legacy ![E.O. Lawrence, Edward Teller, Herbert York](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/2021-11/heritage-eo-lawrence-edward-teller-herbert-york.jpg "heritage-eo-lawrence-edward-teller-herbert-york") *E.O. Lawrence, Edward Teller, and Herbert F. York* Our working philosophy …called for always pushing at the technological extremes.” —Herbert F. York, LLNL’s first director From our beginnings in weapon design and testing to stockpile stewardship and modernization without testing, the pursuit of big ideas and spirit of innovation still run deep in our veins. [Learn more](https://sd.llnl.gov/about-us/our-legacy)