Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: James Peltz, Defense Programs

How do you support NNSA?

I am the Integrated Codes federal program manager in the Advanced Simulation and Computing program.  I oversee code development and maintenance activities for the weapons physics and engineering capabilities for the NNSA. These are the modeling and simulation (M&S) tools that use high performance computers (HPC) to make predictions of weapons performance and safety, and ultimately are the foundational tools that support the annual assessments and the qualification and certification of the U.S. nuclear deterrent without the need for explosive nuclear weapons testing.  I work with my counterparts in the ASC program, partners across the NNSA, and external stakeholders such as DoD to understand requirements and secure the resources needed to support the existing stockpile and the design of new weapon systems. 

What is your personal background, and how has that shaped you and your approach to your career? 

I grew up in a small town about an hour southwest of Las Vegas and was raised by parents who valued hard work and self-sufficiency. Growing up in a vast unpopulated desert gave me an appreciation for the natural world early on and led to my love of science in my latter years in high school. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but looking back now, I see it was these early experiences and how I was raised that led me to always seek to know more and motivated me to pursue higher education.

What did you study in school and how did it impact you personally and professionally?

I hold a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, an M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University, and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Colorado State University.  Education is and continues to be important to me because it sharpens my thinking and provides an opportunity to engage other experts. My advanced degrees were all achieved while working professionally which was personally challenging, but in the end was worth it because I am well trained in the scientific methods for several scientific disciplines.  This training and the many opportunities to engage world class experts are reasons why I continue to manage government research portfolios aimed at improving the understanding and supporting the nuclear fuel cycle as it relates to nuclear security.

What led you to a career in nuclear security?

I came to the Department of Energy as a Presidential Management Fellow after an enlistment with the U.S. Navy where I supported the Office of Nuclear Energy.  Civilian uses of nuclear energy intersect with nuclear safeguards and security, which was my first exposure to national security. I took a position in the Office of Proliferation Detection in Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development (DNN R&D) because it was an opportunity to advance professionally and their primary mission to develop technologies to support nuclear safeguards in cooperative environments, and many others in noncooperative environments. 

What is the best part about your job?

The best part of the job is being part of a team who believes in the mission of the NNSA and the opportunity to engage and learn from world experts in the many fields and disciplines that are required to meet the goals of U.S. national security. There is always something new to learn and it is immensely satisfying to see how my support for cutting edge research has led to real scientific breakthroughs.

What is your proudest accomplishment while supporting NNSA?

Supporting the first exascale system for NNSA, El Capitan at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, is on the list. This HPC system will enable scientists and engineers to model physical systems in unprecedented ways and will be key to certifying new weapons systems. Surrogate testing is costly, so making the most of a limited number of physical tests for certification will require a heavy reliance on M&S and HPC. I am also quite proud of my time in DNN R&D where I sponsored several multi-laboratory projects that collected data on material production activities that now position DNN R&D well to leverage the AI/M: boom that is coming to NNSA.

Tell us something interesting about yourself. 

I am always outside doing something.  I am an avid fisherman, a decent skier, and I spend a lot of time out in my yard trying to restore the natural environment. Getting rid of invasive plant species and seeing the return of native plants, pollinators, and all the other species that depend on them is very gratifying to me and a fantastic way to keep in shape while relieving stress.  I also read a ton.  I enjoy many genres and am usually going through a couple of books at a time.

What advice would you have for anyone interested in a career in nuclear security/STEM/public service?

I think the best advice I could give is to find a topic or area that is interesting to you and to say yes to opportunities more than you say no.  Careers in STEM, nuclear security, and public service all require hard work and long hours—without something interesting to pursue, burnout is likely.  Saying yes to opportunities creates a positive feedback loop where one opportunity leads to the next. 

Who is someone that inspires you and why?

Ms. Jeannie Deswood, a 6th grade teacher on the Hualapai Indian Reservation inspired me to become a teacher by showing me what it meant to be an educator.  I taught 6th grade there for a year after I graduated from Colorado State University.  My STEM degree was useful for sharing scientific knowledge, but I lacked the necessary training in classroom management and teaching methods to know how best to convey that knowledge to others. Jeannie suggested co-teaching the two classes where she would teach the liberal arts and I would teach math and science. She showed me how so many little things could change a classroom environment and how important a cultural understanding was to disciplining students.  She was no-nonsense in dealing with poor behavior but was always kind and caring to all the students. What was so inspirational was Ms. Deswood’s dedication to her students and her community.  She had over 30 years teaching, was always involved with student clubs, and was key to planning community events. She was a respected teacher and elder within the community and it was because she was always there and could always be counted on. I strive to demonstrate the same level of commitment to supporting our teams. 

How do you plan to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month? 

My family gathers every year in September in the Adirondack mountains to share good food and share good company. Hispanic Heritage Month for us is about passing stories to the next generation and celebrating family.