How to Apply to Leidos Holdings Corporation

Key Takeaways

Check clearance requirements BEFORE applying — if a Leidos posting specifies 'active TS/SCI with Polygraph,' this is virtually always a hard requirement, not a preference; applying without it wastes both your time and the recruiter's
Create a Workday candidate profile optimized for defense contracting by listing your clearance level, citizenship, certifications, and willingness to work on-site at the very top of your resume
Mirror the exact terminology from each Leidos job posting in your resume — these postings are often written to match contract labor category descriptions, and keyword alignment directly affects recruiter search results in Workday
Obtain or maintain DoD 8570/8140 baseline certifications like Security+ or CISSP, as many Leidos IT positions contractually require these credentials for day-one access to government systems
Apply to multiple relevant positions across Leidos' four business segments (Defense, Civil, Health, Intelligence) — similar skill sets are needed across different contracts, and casting a wider net increases your chances significantly
Prepare for interviews by researching the specific government customer and program the role supports — demonstrating mission awareness and customer knowledge distinguishes serious candidates from generic applicants
Be patient with the post-offer process, as clearance transfers and investigations are government-controlled timelines that Leidos cannot accelerate, but stay in regular communication with your recruiter

About Leidos Holdings Corporation

Leidos Holdings Corporation is one of the largest defense, intelligence, civil, and health IT services companies in the United States, with approximately 46,000 employees delivering mission-critical solutions to federal agencies, the intelligence community, and commercial clients. Formerly the national security division of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) before its 2013 spin-off, Leidos has grown into a Fortune 500 powerhouse through strategic acquisitions — including Dynetics in 2020 — and major contract wins such as its landmark $4.4 billion NASA NEST contract. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos operates across four primary segments: Defense Solutions, Civil, Health, and Intelligence. What distinguishes Leidos from other government contractors is the breadth of its mission portfolio: you'll find roles ranging from SATCOM network engineering and biometrics analysis to military family counseling and auditory research, reflecting a company that blends deep technical expertise with human-centered services. The culture at Leidos is heavily mission-driven, with employees frequently citing the sense of purpose that comes from supporting national security, healthcare modernization, and critical infrastructure. The company emphasizes what it calls 'Powered by Purpose,' investing in employee development, STEM education, and diversity initiatives. Many roles require or prefer active security clearances (Secret, TS/SCI, or polygraph), making Leidos a natural career home for professionals with government and military backgrounds. For those without clearances, Leidos does sponsor them for the right candidates, particularly in civil and health divisions. Competitive compensation packages typically include robust benefits, tuition reimbursement, and flexible work arrangements that vary by contract and client site requirements.

Application Process

1
Search and Filter Roles on the Leidos Workday Portal
Navigate to the Leidos careers portal hosted on Workday (leidos.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com) and use the filtering tools to narrow by location, job category, clearance requirement, and business area. Pay close attention to clearance requirements listed in job titles — abbreviations like 'TS/SCI with Poly' or 'Secret Clearable' indicate non-negotiable eligibility requirements that will determine whether your application advances. Bookmark multiple roles that match your qualifications, as Leidos posts similar positions across different contract vehicles and locations.
2
Create or Log Into Your Workday Candidate Profile
Leidos uses Workday as its ATS, so you'll need to create a candidate account that stores your profile, resume, and application history. Complete every field in your profile thoroughly — Workday's parsing engine will auto-populate some fields from your uploaded resume, but always verify accuracy, especially for job titles, dates, and technical skills. If you've previously applied to any company using Workday, you may be able to sign in with existing credentials, though your Leidos-specific profile will need to be tailored.
3
Tailor Your Resume and Complete the Application
Before submitting, align your resume's language with the specific job posting — Leidos postings frequently use contract-specific terminology, military occupational specialty (MOS) codes, and acronyms tied to government frameworks (e.g., RMF, NIST, ITAR, CMMC). Upload your resume as a .docx or PDF, then carefully review the parsed data in each Workday field. Answer all screening questions honestly, particularly those about citizenship, clearance status, and willingness to relocate — inaccurate answers on clearance eligibility can disqualify you immediately.
4
Screening by Recruiting and Clearance Verification
After submission, Leidos recruiters and talent acquisition specialists review applications against contract-specific requirements. For classified programs, clearance status is typically the first filter — if the role requires an active TS/SCI, candidates without one may not proceed regardless of technical qualifications. Expect an initial phone screen from a recruiter who will verify your clearance status, availability, salary expectations, and high-level technical fit before passing you to the hiring manager.
5
Technical or Hiring Manager Interview
Qualified candidates typically advance to one or more interviews with the hiring manager and potentially the program manager or technical lead. For engineering and IT roles, expect scenario-based and technical questions tied to the specific contract's technology stack — a DevOps Engineer might be asked about CI/CD pipelines in classified environments, while a Network Engineer could face questions about SATCOM architectures or DISA STIGs. Many Leidos interviews are conducted virtually, though on-site interviews at client facilities may occur for certain programs.
6
Possible Additional Rounds or Panel Interviews
For senior, SME (Subject Matter Expert), or lead-level positions, Leidos commonly conducts a second interview round that may include a panel of stakeholders from the program. This is particularly true for positions supporting intelligence community customers or roles designated as 'Lead' or 'SME' in the title. Some programs may also require a customer interview, where the government client has input on the hiring decision — this is standard practice in the defense contracting industry.
7
Offer, Background Check, and Clearance Processing
Once selected, you'll receive a contingent offer through the Workday portal. The offer is typically contingent on background investigation results and, for classified roles, successful clearance adjudication or transfer. This final step can take anywhere from a few weeks for clearance transfers to several months for new clearance investigations — Leidos recruiters generally communicate timelines, but patience is essential during this government-driven process.

Resume Tips for Leidos Holdings Corporation

critical

Lead with Clearance Status and Citizenship Prominently

For a defense contractor like Leidos, your security clearance level is often the single most important qualification. Place your clearance status (e.g., 'Active TS/SCI with CI Polygraph' or 'Secret Clearance, last investigated 2023') at the top of your resume, near your name and contact information. If you don't hold a clearance but are eligible (U.S. citizen with clean background), state 'Clearance Eligible — U.S. Citizen' clearly. Leidos recruiters scanning dozens of resumes will check this first.

critical

Mirror Government and Contract-Specific Terminology from the Posting

Leidos job postings are often written to match contract labor category descriptions (LCATs), meaning the language is precise and deliberate. If a posting mentions 'RMF,' don't just write 'cybersecurity framework experience' — use 'Risk Management Framework (RMF)' explicitly. Similarly, reference specific tools, standards, and frameworks by their government names: DISA STIGs, NIST 800-53, JIRA in Agile/SAFe environments, or AWS GovCloud rather than just 'AWS.' Workday's keyword matching will score your application higher when your terminology aligns with the job requisition.

critical

Quantify Impact Using Mission-Relevant Metrics

Defense and government IT hiring managers at Leidos value measurable outcomes tied to mission delivery. Instead of writing 'managed network infrastructure,' write 'administered 200+ node enterprise network supporting 1,500 users across 3 CONUS sites with 99.97% uptime under DISA compliance.' Quantify team sizes you've led, the number of systems administered, SLA performance metrics, and cost savings achieved. These concrete figures help program managers justify your labor category placement to their government customers.

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Include Relevant Certifications with Dates and Status

Many Leidos positions — particularly in cybersecurity, systems administration, and network engineering — require DoD 8570/8140 baseline certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CCNA, or CEH. Create a dedicated 'Certifications' section and include the certification name, issuing body, date obtained, and expiration date. Leidos recruiters use these as hard filters; if a contract requires Security+ and it's buried in a paragraph on page two, the Workday screening or the recruiter may miss it.

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Use a Clean, Single-Column Format That Workday Parses Reliably

Workday's resume parser handles clean, traditional formats best. Avoid two-column layouts, text boxes, headers/footers containing critical information, and elaborate graphics — all of which can cause Workday to misparse or drop content. Use standard section headings ('Experience,' 'Education,' 'Certifications,' 'Skills') so the parser maps your content to the correct profile fields. After uploading, always review the parsed output in your Workday profile and manually correct any errors before finalizing your submission.

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Highlight Experience with Government Customers and Contract Vehicles

Leidos serves customers across DoD, intelligence community, DHS, FAA, VA, and other agencies. Name the agencies you've supported (when not prohibited by NDA) and reference contract types or vehicles when possible — for example, 'Supported DHS CISA under BPA task order' or 'Delivered SIGINT solutions for NSA under a prime contract.' This context immediately signals to Leidos hiring managers that you understand the government contracting environment and can operate within its constraints.

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Translate Military Experience into Civilian-Relevant Terms

Given Leidos' strong focus on hiring veterans and military-adjacent professionals, your military experience is highly valued — but translate it effectively. Reference your MOS/rate/AFSC and then explain the civilian-equivalent role: '25B Information Technology Specialist — administered Active Directory, Group Policy, and SCCM for a 500-person battalion.' Leidos actively recruits from the military community, and their recruiters understand military structures, but Workday's automated filters may not recognize MOS codes without supporting civilian context.

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Tailor Your Resume for Each Leidos Business Area

Leidos operates across defense, civil, health, and intelligence segments — and each has different cultural expectations and terminology. A resume for a Health segment role supporting the VA should emphasize EHR systems, HL7/FHIR standards, and healthcare IT compliance (HIPAA), while a Defense Solutions resume should foreground tactical communications, C4ISR, or weapons systems integration. Review which business segment owns the posting and adjust your professional summary and keyword emphasis accordingly.

ATS System: Workday

Leidos uses Workday Recruiting (specifically hosted at leidos.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com) to manage its entire hiring pipeline from application intake through offer. Workday parses uploaded resumes to auto-populate candidate profile fields, then uses configurable screening criteria — including knockout questions about clearance, citizenship, and certifications — to filter and rank applicants before human review. Understanding how Workday processes your application is essential because errors in parsing or missing knockout question responses can eliminate qualified candidates before a recruiter ever sees their profile.

Upload your resume as a .docx file for the most reliable Workday parsing — complex PDFs with embedded graphics or unusual fonts sometimes parse incorrectly
After Workday auto-populates your profile from your resume, review EVERY field manually: job titles, employment dates, education details, and skills frequently need correction
Answer all screening questions completely and honestly — Workday allows recruiters to auto-filter on these responses, and incomplete answers are typically treated as disqualifying
Use exact keywords and phrases from the Leidos job posting in your resume, as Workday's search and filtering tools allow recruiters to search by specific terms across the applicant pool
Avoid placing critical information in headers, footers, or text boxes — Workday's parser often ignores these areas entirely
Keep your formatting simple: standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman), clear section headers, and conventional bullet points ensure reliable parsing
Set up job alerts in your Workday profile for Leidos — new requisitions open frequently as contracts are awarded, and early applications often receive faster recruiter review

Complete Workday Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

Interviewing at Leidos reflects its identity as a mission-focused defense and IT services contractor — expect a process that is structured, technically rigorous, and heavily influenced by the specific government program you'd be supporting. The typical Leidos interview process involves two to three rounds, beginning with a recruiter phone screen (20-30 minutes) focused on clearance verification, availability, compensation alignment, and a high-level skills assessment. If you clear this gate, the next round is typically a technical or behavioral interview with the hiring manager, who is often a program manager or technical lead directly overseeing the contract position. For technical roles — which represent the majority of Leidos openings — prepare for deep-dive questions specific to your domain. A Systems Administrator applying for a TS/SCI shift role should expect questions about incident response procedures, STIG compliance, and experience with specific tools like Splunk, ACAS/Nessus, or ServiceNow in classified environments. Engineers may face whiteboard or scenario-based challenges. For non-technical roles such as the Military Family Licensed Counselor position, expect behavioral questions grounded in relevant clinical frameworks and experience with military-connected populations. Panel interviews are common for senior and SME-level positions, and may include representation from the government customer, particularly in intelligence community programs. This customer involvement is a distinctive feature of defense contractor interviewing — your future government counterpart may have significant influence or even veto power over the hiring decision. Culture fit at Leidos centers on mission commitment, adaptability, and the ability to operate within the constraints of government contracting — including handling classified information responsibly, working within bureaucratic processes, and collaborating across multi-contractor teams. Demonstrating that you understand the 'customer first' mentality of government services, that you thrive in structured environments, and that you're a self-starter who can navigate ambiguity on large programs will resonate strongly. Dress code for interviews is typically business casual, though virtual interviews have become standard for many programs since 2020. Follow-up thank-you emails are appreciated and can help distinguish you in a competitive field.

What Leidos Holdings Corporation Looks For

Active security clearance at the required level — for many Leidos roles, this is a non-negotiable prerequisite that supersedes all other qualifications
Deep technical expertise aligned to specific contract requirements, including proficiency with government-standard tools, frameworks, and compliance regimes (RMF, NIST, DISA STIGs, CMMC)
Prior experience supporting government or military customers, demonstrating understanding of contracting culture, ITAR/EAR compliance, and customer relationship management
Relevant industry certifications that satisfy DoD 8570/8140 requirements — Security+, CISSP, CCNA, PMP, and similar credentials are frequently listed as mandatory or preferred
Mission-driven mindset and demonstrated ability to work in structured, compliance-heavy environments where reliability and accountability are paramount
Adaptability and self-direction, particularly for roles on large, distributed programs where you may work on-site at a government facility with minimal direct Leidos supervision
Strong communication skills for bridging technical and non-technical stakeholders, especially in roles requiring interaction with government program managers or multi-contractor teams
Veterans and transitioning military personnel with relevant MOS experience, security clearances, and understanding of DoD operations and culture

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a security clearance to work at Leidos?

Not all Leidos positions require a security clearance, but a significant majority do, particularly in the Defense Solutions and Intelligence segments. Roles in the Civil and Health divisions are more likely to require only a public trust or no clearance at all. When a clearance is listed as required in the posting, it is almost always a firm prerequisite dictated by the government contract, not a Leidos preference that can be waived. However, some postings note 'must be clearable' or 'ability to obtain,' meaning Leidos may sponsor a clearance investigation for the right candidate — though this adds months to the onboarding timeline. If you're a U.S. citizen with a clean background, pursuing roles that offer clearance sponsorship is a viable path into the defense contracting industry.

How long does the Leidos hiring process typically take from application to start date?

The timeline varies significantly depending on the role and clearance requirements. For unclassified positions or roles where you already hold the required clearance, many applicants report a process of 3-6 weeks from application to offer. However, for positions requiring a new clearance investigation or polygraph, the process can extend to 6-12 months or even longer, as the investigation is conducted by government agencies outside Leidos' control. Clearance transfers between contractors are faster, typically 2-4 weeks once initiated. The key variable is almost always the government security process, not Leidos' internal hiring speed.

Should I submit a cover letter when applying to Leidos through Workday?

The Workday application for Leidos typically does not require a cover letter, and many hiring managers in the defense contracting industry place more weight on your resume, certifications, and clearance status than on cover letters. That said, if the application includes an optional field for a cover letter or additional documents, a concise letter highlighting your relevant clearance, specific contract experience, and enthusiasm for the mission can help differentiate you — especially for senior or client-facing roles. Keep it to one page and focus on what you uniquely bring to that specific program, not generic career narratives.

What resume format works best for Leidos' Workday ATS?

A clean, single-column .docx file with standard section headings works best for Workday parsing at Leidos. Avoid two-column layouts, infographics, skill-level bars, and text boxes, as Workday's parser frequently misreads or ignores content in these formats. Use conventional headings like 'Professional Experience,' 'Education,' 'Certifications,' and 'Technical Skills' so the parser can correctly map your information to candidate profile fields. After submitting, log back into your Workday profile and verify that all fields were populated correctly — misattributed dates, merged job entries, or missing certifications are common parsing errors that can affect how recruiters evaluate your profile.

Does Leidos offer remote work opportunities?

Remote work availability at Leidos depends heavily on the specific contract and its security requirements. Unclassified work in areas like software development, health IT, and civil infrastructure may offer remote or hybrid arrangements, and Leidos has expanded its remote work policies in recent years. However, classified programs — which represent a large portion of Leidos' portfolio — generally require on-site work at government facilities, SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities), or Leidos offices with appropriate accreditation. Job postings on the Workday portal typically specify the work location and telework eligibility, so review these details carefully before applying.

Can I apply to Leidos as a veteran or transitioning service member without private-sector experience?

Absolutely — Leidos actively recruits veterans and is consistently recognized as a military-friendly employer. Your military experience, active clearance, and understanding of DoD operations are highly valuable in this environment. Many Leidos roles are direct continuations of military job functions: a 25-series Signal soldier, a Navy IT rating, or an Air Force cyber operator will find roles that closely mirror their military duties. The key is translating your military experience effectively on your resume — list your MOS/rate/AFSC and then describe your responsibilities in civilian terms. Leidos also participates in the DoD SkillBridge program, which allows transitioning service members to gain industry experience during their final months of service.

How should I prepare for a technical interview at Leidos?

Technical interviews at Leidos are typically conducted by the hiring manager or program technical lead and focus on practical, scenario-based questions directly relevant to the contract's technology environment. Research the specific government customer the role supports (DoD, intelligence community, DHS, VA, etc.) and familiarize yourself with their standard technology stacks and compliance frameworks. For cybersecurity roles, be ready to discuss RMF processes, STIG implementation, and incident response. For network engineering, prepare for questions about SATCOM, MPLS, or DISA-provisioned circuits. Review the specific tools and technologies mentioned in the job posting, as these are often contractually mandated. Having concrete examples of how you've solved similar problems in government or classified environments will set you apart.

What if I applied to a Leidos position and haven't heard back?

Leidos manages a large volume of applications across thousands of open positions, so response times vary. If two to three weeks have passed without acknowledgment beyond the automated Workday confirmation, consider that the role may have been filled or your qualifications may not have matched the contract requirements — clearance mismatches are the most common reason qualified candidates don't advance. You can check your application status by logging into your Workday candidate profile. Rather than waiting on a single application, continue applying to other relevant Leidos positions; the company regularly opens new requisitions as contracts are awarded or expanded, and your profile remains in the Workday system for future consideration.

Does Leidos hire entry-level candidates or interns?

Yes, Leidos maintains internship and early-career programs, particularly in engineering, software development, data science, and cybersecurity. These programs are often posted seasonally on the Workday portal and may be tied to specific business segments. Entry-level candidates should highlight relevant coursework, lab projects, certifications (even foundational ones like CompTIA A+ or Security+), and any experience with government-standard tools or frameworks. U.S. citizenship is required for most Leidos positions, and even intern roles on classified programs may require clearance eligibility. Leidos also participates in university career fairs and partnerships with institutions near its major office locations in Reston, VA; Huntsville, AL; San Diego, CA; and other hubs.

Sample Open Positions

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 36 open positions at Leidos Holdings Corporation

Related Resources

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Sources

Leidos Careers Portal — Leidos Holdings Corporation
Leidos - About Us — Leidos Holdings Corporation
Leidos Reviews and Interview Experiences — Glassdoor
DoD 8570.01-M Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program — Department of Defense Cyber Exchange