CS|Source Stakeholder Spotlight: Leidos

Q:  Tell us more about your relationship with Virginia Tech and how you hope to continue to cultivate the partnership for the future?

Virginia Tech has been one of the best university’s Leidos has had the privilege of working with. The main denominator to our relationship with Virginia Tech is the diverse support we receive from all facets of the university. The academic staff along with Virginia Tech’s business team have gone out of their way to include Leidos where we can best serve their students. 

These qualities make our partnership run smoothly which in turn helps us navigate from year to year and allows us to best support Virginia Tech both financially as well as a top employer for its students.

Q:  What makes Virginia Tech students stand out to you among other universities?

Virginia Tech students bring a strong method of understanding and array of technical skills and abilities. The academic staff at Virginia Tech has done an outstanding job of preparing its students to excel in the workforce. This commitment makes Virginia Tech students desirable employees capable of effectively serving our customers objectives.

We find that Virginia Tech students are well trained when it comes to performing technically and have a strong sense of pride in their jobs. This combination of technical expertise and pride aligns with our goals of pursuing business innovation and creating cutting-edge technology.

Q: How many total Virginia Tech alumni work for/have worked for Leidos?

We estimate that the total number of current and past Virginia Tech alumni employed by Leidos tops 500.

In fact, hiring Virginia Tech alumni fits right in line with our Strategic University Alliance (SUA) program which focuses on-campus activities to support our strategic goals, particularly by strengthening the Leidos science and technology core. Over the last couple of years, we have further increased our SUAs to now include fourteen university partners including Virginia Tech.  

Q:  Can you please provide examples of what kind of job roles and areas of specialty you are seeking in Virginia Tech graduates? 

Employment opportunities are virtually endless at Leidos. Our customers rely heavily on Leidos in the areas of Defense and Intel, Aviation and Transportation, Energy, Healthcare, and Space to name a few.

Our Talent Acquisition staff search for professionals who have the skills our customers require. These skills often include software and programming, data analysis, cybersecurity and threat prevention, infrastructure, project control and lifecycle, mechanical, electrical, and distribution logistics.

Some of our core markets include:

• Civil: Modernizing infrastructure, systems, and security for both government and highly-regulated commercial customers looking for transformative solutions in mission IT, security, software, engineering, and operations.
• Defense: We provide global customers with an innovative portfolio of secure, seamless systems, solutions, and services for multi-domain dominance and informed decision making in every environment.
• Health: From conducting groundbreaking research that fights diseases to optimizing electronic health records, Leidos revolutionizes patient care in commercial and government organizations.
• Intelligence: We use cutting-edge technology and capabilities to support our customers’ critical missions and defend against evolving threats around the world.
• Dynetics: Applied research and technology accelerator focused on transitioning innovative prototypes to fielded solutions by solving tough scientific engineering problems for our customers from seafloor to space.
    

Q: With a global team of 43,000 employees, can you share opportunities for mobility and opportunities to work on different teams in different countries?

With offices in more than 400 locations and 30 countries worldwide, we continue to expand our presence and strengthen our international relationships. Leidos provides numerous avenues for those who are interested in shifting or enhancing their career. Students can visit our locations webpage to see where Leidos is worldwide.

Q: Can you contextualize your company’s mission statement: “Your most important work is ahead?”

Making the world safer, healthier, and more efficient.

Q: Can you share how you support a culture of inclusion and diversity? 

At Leidos, inclusion is part of the fabric of our culture and at the core of our values. Together, we are building a workplace that cultivates opportunity, advances equality, and is free from discrimination, inequity and maltreatment. There is no moment when the goal is achieved, even as milestones are accomplished. We remain steadfast in our commitment to listen, respond and celebrate our similarities and differences.

Q:  For students that are interested in Leidos, what should they do next?

Students can review and search our college career site for internship and entry level opportunities at Leidos Intern & Entry Level Careers. There students can create a profile entering their resume and contact information and begin applying to positions that closely match their skillset and geographical preferences.

Being that our customer base is very diverse both in the civilian and government space, students should bear in mind that qualifications set forth from our customers can vary depending on skillset, geographical preference, security clearance, U.S. citizenship, etc.  If the qualifications are in line with the positions for which they apply, someone will contact them for further review.