Labs in step with Department of Labor for fifth consecutive platinum award

For the fifth consecutive year, Sandia has earned the HIRE Vets Platinum Medallion Award — the U.S. Department of Labor’s highest designation — for its commitment to attracting, hiring and retaining veterans.

The HIRE Vets Medallion Program cited Sandia’s veteran hiring and retention rates and its support programs, including veteran-specific resources, leadership programming, dedicated human resources efforts, compensation and tuition assistance.

“Sandia’s business imperative is to attract top talent and maintain our competitive advantage,” said Brian Maloney, a veteran talent acquisition specialist at Sandia and a retired U.S. Air Force senior master sergeant. “Speaking from experience, our service members and veterans exemplify exceptional service in the national interest. They’re a natural fit in a highly motivated, disciplined culture dedicated to our national security mission and goals.”

In 2024, nearly 20% of Sandia’s new hires were military veterans, and more than 85% of those hires were retained for at least 12 months. Sandia attributes its success in attracting and retaining veterans in part to the efforts of its Military Support Committee, which provides employment and veteran integration support.

Suitable recruiter

Maj. Nick Nava, a U.S. Air Force reservist who works in cybersecurity research and development at Sandia, is an active participant in the committee. “I hired on at Sandia in 2022 but was unaware of the committee and the host of programs to attract veterans,” he said. “I’ve learned there’s so much more than recruiting efforts at Sandia. There’s an underlying support culture that makes veterans feel welcomed and valued.

“I work with the committee’s veterans recruiting team and have been on a few recruiting trips,” Nick said. “It’s always interesting talking with prospects, drawing out their skills from their service and education and matching them with Sandia’s needs. Nine times out of 10 I recognize a skill set that Sandia can use. Many are surprised that they might be a fit, but the Labs has such a broad mission and variety of jobs.”

A common refrain Nick hears from reservists or National Guard members considering a career at Sandia is that they’re unsure if they can juggle both commitments.

“My response is always the same,” he said. “Sandia’s been very supportive of me being in the reserves. It’s clear the Labs appreciates and supports veterans through its programs and management principles. I’m so fortunate that I don’t have to stress about leaving my day job to perform my military requirements.”

Sandia also offers a newly developed leadership ecosystem that provides an extensive catalog of services, resources, platforms and opportunities for leadership development that resonates with veterans’ personal and professional goals and aspirations.

In addition to recruiting and hiring initiatives, Sandia provides onboarding and mentoring programs, veteran network groups and support to bridge cultural gaps between veteran and nonveteran employees.

“I recommend Sandia to any veteran looking to transition to private industry,” Nick said. “The culture at the Labs aligns very similarly to military service. And you’re still serving your country.”

Top-down culture

During a Veterans Day celebration last November at Sandia’s Livermore campus, Labs Director Laura McGill told veterans that their work at the Labs makes every Sandia team better. “Your exceptional competency, your skills, your critical thinking and your leadership that you gained in your military careers continue to benefit our nation through the important work that you do here at Sandia,” she said. “We are grateful for the service that you have rendered to our nation. We can’t thank you enough for the sacrifices that you and your families have made to keep us all safe.”