Joseph Sandoval

Engineering Systems Integration

A Distinguished member of Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories, Joseph (Joe) Sandoval has worked in nuclear security since 1978, initially as a member of a U.S. Marine Corps Composite Adversary Team, conducting force‐on‐force exercises against U.S. nuclear facilities, and testing tactical laser engagement system technologies. 

Joe joined Sandia in 1985, and has served in various nuclear security staff and management roles. He worked as a Safeguards and Security manager for the Program Planning and Management, Protective Force, Physical Security, and Nuclear Material Control and Accountability departments, where he was responsible for the protection of over 800 facilities in a dozen locations throughout the U.S., two research reactors, one million classified documents, 26,000 classified parts, and 26 metric tons of accountable nuclear material.

His work as a security analyst has included designing, testing, and analyzing physical security systems at U.S. and international nuclear facilities. He is an instructor for physical security training courses at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Central Training Academy and for the joint International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)- U.S. DOE National Nuclear Security Administration International Training Courses, and has taught several dozen physical security courses in countries of the former Soviet Union, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Joe has participated in and led numerous U.S. bilateral assessments of physical protection at nuclear facilities worldwide, leads International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) missions for the IAEA, and has been a member and Chairman for IAEA Consultancy Meetings, developing international physical protection recommendations documents and technical guides.

Joe is a distinguished U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was selected as the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion Marine of the Year five times, and served in the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.