Leidos Careers for Veterans: Complete Guide
Comprehensive guide to Leidos careers for veterans. Learn about defense, intelligence, health IT, and civil engineering positions, veteran hiring programs, clearance requirements, and how to land jobs at this major contractor.
Leidos is one of the largest and most diversified government contractors in the United States. Originally spun off from SAIC in 2013, Leidos has grown through acquisitions (including Lockheed Martin's IT division) to become a powerhouse in defense, intelligence, health, and civil markets.
With approximately 45,000 employees and $15+ billion in annual revenue, Leidos offers veterans diverse career opportunities across government sectors.
Why Leidos for Veterans?
Diversified Portfolio
Leidos serves multiple markets:
- Defense and intelligence
- Health IT
- Civil government
- Infrastructure
- Commercial health
Size and Stability
Large contractor benefits:
- Major contract portfolio
- Geographic diversity
- Career mobility
- Stable employment
Veteran Culture
Military experience valued:
- Veteran hiring programs
- Understanding of government work
- Clearance value recognized
- Many veteran employees
Career Diversity
Multiple paths available:
- Technical careers
- Program management
- Health IT
- Engineering
- Operations support
What Leidos Does
Defense and Intelligence
National security work:
- C4ISR systems
- Cybersecurity
- Intelligence services
- Surveillance systems
Health IT
Healthcare technology:
- VA health systems
- Military health systems
- Health data analytics
- Clinical solutions
Civil
Government services:
- Aviation systems (FAA)
- Border security
- Energy and environmental
- Homeland security
Engineering
Technical solutions:
- Systems engineering
- Software development
- Test and evaluation
- Integration
Career Opportunities at Leidos
IT and Cyber Positions
Technology roles:
Cybersecurity Engineer:
- Security architecture
- Threat defense
- Vulnerability management
- Security operations
Requirements:
- Cybersecurity background
- Certifications (CISSP, CEH, etc.)
- Technical depth
- Clearance (usually required)
Salary: $90,000 - $165,000+
Military fit: 17C, 25D, cyber backgrounds
Software Developer:
- Application development
- Full-stack development
- Agile delivery
- Modernization
Requirements:
- Programming skills
- Development experience
- Modern technologies
- Clearance (often)
Salary: $80,000 - $155,000+
Military fit: Signal, software backgrounds
Systems Administrator:
- Infrastructure management
- Server operations
- Cloud administration
- Security compliance
Requirements:
- Systems experience
- Relevant certifications
- Problem-solving
- Clearance (usually)
Salary: $65,000 - $115,000+
Military fit: 25B, IT backgrounds
Network Engineer:
- Network design
- Implementation
- Troubleshooting
- Optimization
Requirements:
- Network experience
- Certifications (CCNA, etc.)
- Technical proficiency
- Clearance (often)
Salary: $75,000 - $135,000+
Military fit: 25N, network backgrounds
Engineering Positions
Technical engineering:
Systems Engineer:
- Requirements development
- System architecture
- Integration
- Technical leadership
Requirements:
- Engineering degree
- Systems methodology
- Technical breadth
- Communication skills
Salary: $85,000 - $160,000+
Military fit: Technical officers, systems experience
Electrical Engineer:
- Electronic systems
- RF engineering
- Sensor systems
- Signal processing
Requirements:
- EE degree
- Domain expertise
- Analysis capability
- Technical depth
Salary: $80,000 - $155,000+
Military fit: Electronics, avionics, EW
Biomedical Engineer:
- Health technology
- Medical devices
- Clinical systems
- Health informatics
Requirements:
- Biomedical engineering background
- Health IT knowledge
- Regulatory awareness
- Technical skills
Salary: $75,000 - $140,000+
Military fit: 68 series medical, biomedical backgrounds
Health IT Positions
Healthcare technology:
Health IT Specialist:
- Clinical systems support
- Implementation
- Configuration
- User support
Requirements:
- Health IT experience
- Clinical knowledge helpful
- Technical skills
- Problem-solving
Salary: $60,000 - $110,000+
Military fit: 68 series, health backgrounds
Health Data Analyst:
- Data analysis
- Reporting
- Clinical analytics
- Decision support
Requirements:
- Analytics skills
- Health domain knowledge
- SQL and reporting tools
- Communication ability
Salary: $65,000 - $120,000+
Military fit: Medical admin, analytics backgrounds
Program Management
Management roles:
Program Manager:
- Program execution
- Customer relationships
- Team leadership
- Financial management
Requirements:
- Technical background
- Management experience
- Communication skills
- PMP certification helpful
Salary: $110,000 - $190,000+
Military fit: Senior officers, program experience
Project Manager:
- Project execution
- Schedule and budget
- Team coordination
- Stakeholder management
Requirements:
- PM experience
- Technical understanding
- Organizational skills
- Clearance (often)
Salary: $85,000 - $150,000+
Military fit: Staff officers, project backgrounds
Intelligence Positions
Intelligence roles:
Intelligence Analyst:
- All-source analysis
- Collection support
- Production
- Briefings
Requirements:
- Intelligence background
- Analytical skills
- Clearance (TS/SCI usually)
- Communication ability
Salary: $75,000 - $140,000+
Military fit: 35 series, 1N, intelligence backgrounds
SIGINT Analyst:
- Signals analysis
- Technical collection
- Processing
- Reporting
Requirements:
- SIGINT experience
- Technical skills
- Clearance (TS/SCI)
- Language skills helpful
Salary: $80,000 - $150,000+
Military fit: SIGINT backgrounds, 35P, CTI
Leidos Veteran Programs
Veteran Hiring Initiatives
Active veteran recruiting:
- Military hiring programs
- Skills translation
- Base recruiting
- Career fairs
SkillBridge Partnership
DoD transition program:
- Internship opportunities
- Various business areas
- Real project experience
- Path to employment
Military Spouse Employment
Family support:
- Spouse hiring programs
- Remote opportunities where possible
- Career development
- Relocation assistance
Veteran Employee Network
Internal community:
- VERG (Veterans Employee Resource Group)
- Mentorship
- Networking
- Professional development
Reserve/Guard Support
Ongoing service:
- Military leave
- Differential pay
- Job protection
- Flexible arrangements
Leidos Hiring Process
Step 1: Apply
Where to apply:
- leidos.com/careers
- ClearanceJobs
- Indeed
Step 2: Screening
Review for:
- Basic qualifications
- Clearance eligibility
- Experience match
- Education verification
Step 3: Interviews
Multiple rounds typical:
Phone Screen:
- Initial qualification
- Interest confirmation
- Background discussion
Technical Interview:
- Skills assessment
- Role-specific questions
- Problem-solving
Panel/Manager Interview:
- Team fit
- Behavioral questions
- Career discussion
Step 4: Selection
Final steps:
- Reference checks
- Background verification
- Security processing
- Offer presentation
Timeline
Typical timeline:
- Application to response: 1-3 weeks
- Interview process: 2-5 weeks
- Offer to start: 2-4 weeks
- Total: 5-12 weeks
Leidos Salary
Compensation Ranges (DC Area)
| Role | Entry | Mid-Level | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT/Cyber | $75K-$100K | $100K-$140K | $140K-$180K |
| Engineering | $80K-$100K | $100K-$145K | $145K-$180K |
| Health IT | $60K-$80K | $80K-$110K | $110K-$145K |
| Program Mgmt | $95K-$120K | $120K-$160K | $160K-$200K |
| Intelligence | $70K-$95K | $95K-$130K | $130K-$165K |
Location Adjustments
Varies by market:
- DC area: Reference rates
- San Diego: Similar to DC
- Huntsville: -5-10%
- Other locations: Varies
Clearance Premium
Security clearance value:
- Secret: Base rates
- Top Secret: +5-10%
- TS/SCI: +10-20%
- Poly: Additional premium
Benefits
Comprehensive package:
- Medical/dental/vision
- 401(k) with company match
- PTO (competitive)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Professional development
- Life insurance
- Employee stock purchase plan
Leidos Locations
Headquarters
Reston, VA:
- Corporate headquarters
- Major operations center
Major Locations
San Diego, CA:
- Navy contracts
- Defense operations
Washington, DC area:
- Government proximity
- Multiple offices
Huntsville, AL:
- Defense and space
- Engineering center
Charleston, SC:
- IT operations
- Service center
Augusta, GA:
- Cyber operations
- Intelligence support
Nationwide
Presence across the country:
- Customer locations
- Federal facilities
- Commercial sites
- Remote work options for some roles
Military Experience Translation
Intelligence
Direct path:
- 35F/35M → All-source analyst
- 35N/35P → SIGINT analyst
- 35G → GEOINT analyst
- Intelligence officers → Management
IT/Cyber
Technical translation:
- 25B → Systems administrator
- 25D → Cyber analyst
- 17C → Cyber operations
- Signal officers → IT management
Medical
Health IT opportunities:
- 68 series → Health IT
- Medical admin → Health data analyst
- 68P → Health systems
- Medical officers → Health IT leadership
Operations
Support roles:
- Operations staff → Program support
- S3/G3 → Operations analyst
- Logistics → Supply chain
Application Tips
Resume Optimization
Key elements:
- Translate military terminology
- Quantify achievements
- Highlight clearance
- Show technical skills
- Demonstrate progression
Keywords to Include
Match postings:
- Agile development
- DevSecOps
- Cloud computing
- Cybersecurity
- Systems integration
Interview Preparation
Research:
- Know Leidos markets
- Understand target segment
- Research specific role
- Current company news
Prepare:
- STAR method examples
- Technical demonstrations
- Leadership examples
- Questions for interviewers
Career Growth at Leidos
Technical Track
Individual contributor:
- Associate/Junior
- Mid-level
- Senior
- Principal/Lead
- Chief/Fellow
Management Track
Leadership path:
- Team Lead
- Manager
- Senior Manager
- Director
- Vice President
Cross-Market Mobility
Unique opportunity:
- Move between defense, health, civil
- Diverse experience
- Career flexibility
- Skill broadening
The Bottom Line
Leidos offers veterans:
- Diversified portfolio across defense, health, and civil markets
- Strong veteran culture with active hiring programs
- Career flexibility with internal mobility
- Competitive compensation with good benefits
- Multiple career paths from technical to management
Your military experience is valued across Leidos' diverse business areas. They need your skills and clearance.
Apply at leidos.com/careers