Leidos: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Leidos traces its roots to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), founded in 1969 in La Jolla, California, by nuclear physicist J. Robert Beyster. Over four decades, SAIC grew into one of the largest government contractors in the United States, working on projects ranging from nuclear weapons effects analysis to airport security screening systems. In September 2013, SAIC split into two independent public companies: a smaller entity that retained the SAIC name, and a larger company that took on the name Leidos, which is the legal successor to the original SAIC and retained its pre-2013 corporate history. Leidos is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.

Today, Leidos is a Fortune 500 company that reported roughly $17.2 billion in revenue in 2025 and employs approximately 47,000 people worldwide. The company operates across national security and defense, digital modernization, health, and engineering markets, serving customers including branches of the U.S. military, federal civilian agencies, and international government partners. Leidos' work spans cybersecurity, space and airborne systems, health information technology, and critical infrastructure engineering.

Because a substantial portion of Leidos' business involves classified or otherwise sensitive government contracts, many roles require candidates to hold or be eligible to obtain a U.S. government security clearance, which involves a separate and more extensive vetting process than a standard employment background check.

Company culture and employee programs: Leidos emphasizes technical innovation and mission-driven work supporting national security, health, and public sector customers. The company offers structured career paths for engineers, scientists, IT professionals, and program management staff, along with training programs tied to specific technical disciplines and clearance-related work. Benefits, compensation, and clearance requirements vary significantly by program and contract, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the government contracting and technology services industry, including Leidos, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

Leidos is generally reported to conduct background checks as a standard part of its hiring process, which is typical for government contractors. Many positions additionally require a U.S. government security clearance, which involves a separate federal background investigation process conducted independently of the employer's own screening.

The hiring process at Leidos typically includes an application, one or more interviews with hiring managers and technical staff, and a background check. For roles requiring a security clearance, candidates may also need to complete government clearance paperwork and a federal background investigation, which can extend the overall hiring timeline considerably.

Background check timelines can vary depending on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process. Note that federal security clearance investigations, when required, follow a separate government timeline that is generally longer than a standard employment background check.

A typical pre-employment background check for a technology or government services role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though state laws may extend or restrict this timeframe. Security clearance investigations, when applicable, may review a longer period of a candidate's history as part of the federal adjudication process.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to the role, particularly for positions requiring a security clearance where certain offenses may affect eligibility. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements. Clearance-eligible roles require additional documentation as part of the federal investigation process.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Leidos may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to Leidos or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.