Get to know NNSA's David Wilkes: ? His brother inspired him to become an engineer. ? Nuclear engineering led him to nonproliferation work. ? If this NNSA thing doesn't work out, he would like to pursue brewing the world's best cup of coffee. ☕
National Nuclear Security Administration
May 6, 2024
minute read time
How do you support NNSA?
I am a technical program manager in the Office of Plutonium Disposition at the Savannah River Site, near Aiken, South Carolina. Our office works to immobilize surplus plutonium into an inert form and dispose of it safely and permanently. I joined in the summer of 2023.
Our team recognizes and values excellence while fully supporting a balanced personal self. This makes the job challenging and the atmosphere uplifting and refreshing.
What is your personal background, and how has that shaped you and your approach to your career?
I grew up in a small town in rural south Georgia and loved to tinker with things as a kid. In addition to frugally planned vacations to Germany and Austria, my parents encouraged me to attend a school trip to Italy, and study abroad in Belgium, Poland, and France. These experiences left me with a distinct love for nature and the outdoors, for engineering, and for nurturing relationships between very different individuals and groups.
What did you study in school and how did it impact you personally and professionally?
I studied engineering at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. It was a rigorous technical curriculum and provided me with a strong foundation to provide objective technical advice in a professional setting. I also pursued – and very much enjoyed – supplemental coursework in international affairs.
More recently I have taken several courses on cybersecurity. I was pleasantly surprised to have learned a great deal about both geopolitics and risk management in this field, which I assumed would be strictly focused on technology.
What led you to a career in nuclear security?
I worked in commercial nuclear power for a few years before coming to SRS. I decided to stay in the industry because of its strong culture surrounding quality and safety. I am extremely proud to be able to contribute to a mission which leaves the world in better shape for the next generation.
What is the best part about your job?
Our team recognizes and values excellence while fully supporting a balanced personal self. This makes the job challenging and the atmosphere uplifting and refreshing.
Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I have more interests than time to pursue them! I view that as a positive trait as someone who wants to learn and grow. I enjoy spending time outdoors when the weather is good. I enjoy hiking, gardening, cycling, and landscape photography. I enjoy traveling to new places (but also fully admit to being a bit of a homebody).
I have a mild obsession with coffee, which has led me to aspire to be at least a decent barista. My greatest accolade has occurred, on occasion, when my wife has shared with me that she did not care for the coffee at otherwise very successful coffee shops because “yours is better.”
What advice would you have for anyone interested in a career in nuclear security? (Can also be about a career in STEM or public service.)
Nuclear industries (both government and commercial) are naturally risk-averse fields, which have a reputation as being hands-off with a slower pace than other commercial technology sectors. This sometimes detracts aspiring young technical professionals. I personally have found several areas within both commercial and defense nuclear that challenged those stereotypes. I encourage young professionals to seek out mentors in their lives, shadow professionals when possible, do their research, and challenge assumptions when they get “no” for an answer arbitrarily.
Who is someone that inspires you and why?
My older brother inspired me to study engineering. Although I knew I had the aptitude for it, I do not know who would have given me the nudge if he had not come before me on this path. I am very grateful for that.