As the Nevada National Security Site’s (NNSS) chief scientist and executive leader for the Science and Technology Directorate and the Site-Directed Research and Development (SDRD) program, José Sinibaldi directs the vision and strategic plan for science and engineering technologies to enhance and develop new capabilities at the NNSS.

As part of this work, he is responsible for cultivating the SDRD strategic plan as well as defining and driving the NNSS’ Science and Technology Thrust Areas through coordination of the NNSS’ future technical capabilities with Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Sandia National Laboratories. In his role, Sinibaldi also helps build a synergistic vision for the development of strategic partnership programs; leads university programs, collaboration and outreach; creates and executes specialized talent recruitment, retention, development and succession efforts supporting the technical workforce; and serves as the scientific liaison for government and industry customers and stakeholders.

Sinibaldi previously worked at LLNL for nine years, leading the development of experimental diagnostics for hydrodynamic implosions and subcritical experiments. Prior to this role, he served as a research faculty member at the Naval Postgraduate School, where he advised 67 graduate students in the areas of experimental shock physics and advanced propulsion systems for various agencies within the U.S. Department of Defense. Sinibaldi holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in engineering from the Cooper Union. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and technical reports and presented numerous lectures and keynote addresses to various professional and international scientific organizations.