Returning with Purpose: Brittany Schaeffer’s Journey Back to Leidos
When alumni return to Leidos, they bring more than experience, they bring perspective shaped by the outside world. For Brittany Schaeffer, coming back to Leidos wasn’t just a career move. It was a full circle moment shaped by purpose, partnership, and people.
An unexpected beginning
Brittany’s introduction to Leidos was both unexpected and formative. When her husband received military orders to Germany, they relocated to Kaiserslautern. During his in-processing, a chance encounter with a Leidos employee sparked a conversation. That interaction led to a referral, and within a month, she joined SAIC, which would later become part of Leidos.
After almost ten years at Leidos, she felt compelled to explore new terrain. She made the deliberate decision to step outside the organization to gain direct experience in the commercial product space to better understand:
- How product teams operate in fast-moving environments
- How software is commercialized and delivered at scale
- How business decisions are made in competitive markets
That chapter broadened her perspective significantly. It strengthened her ability to translate between commercial innovation and mission driven execution, an increasingly valuable skill in today’s technology landscape.
“I wanted to understand how commercial product companies move — how they build, ship, and scale software securely at speed. I knew that experience would make me stronger if I came back,” Brittany explained.
While working outside of Leidos, she gained a new appreciation for the company’s culture. A mentor once told her, “Tell us where you want to go and we’ll help you get there.” A few years later, she acted on that feedback and decided to return.
Why she came back
Brittany returned for three reasons.
First, she wanted to bring back the commercial insight and technology relationships she had developed and help Leidos work more closely with the commercial innovators shaping what’s next.
Second, she never truly disconnected from her colleagues. Professional relationships had evolved into trusted friendships, and she missed the shared sense of purpose.
“I never lost touch with my Leidos colleagues. And after more than 20 years as a military spouse, I deeply value working in a place that understands and supports that community,” Brittany said.
And third, the leadership. Under CEO Tom Bell, she sees clear direction and momentum with a people-first approach. She describes Leidos as an organization where leaders make time, mentorship is genuine, and individuals are consistently challenged to grow.
Seeing the organization through a new lens
Today, Brittany serves as senior director of corporate strategy and strategic partnerships. “I focus on building the right partnerships so we can deliver on NorthStar 2030 and create measurable impact for our customers.”
After rejoining the Office of Technology with a focus on external technology engagement, she saw how deeply connected Leidos is across the broader technology ecosystem, including venture capital and emerging innovators. Anticipating where technology is headed, and forming partnerships accordingly, is a strategic advantage.
She is currently collaborating across the business to create an internal resource hub that simplifies how teams engage in partnerships, making it easier for teams to build and move faster. Her goal is not only to continue building enterprise impact, but also to develop and empower others to step into leadership roles. “Leidos is an exceptional place to build a career,” she says. “And our executive leadership sets the standard.”
Her advice to alumni
For those considering a return, her message is simple: Don’t wait. Reconnect with your network. Reach out to former colleagues. Start the conversation.
If you’re also a Leidos alumnus, we’d love to keep in touch! Join the Leidos Alumni Network to receive company updates, including opportunities to rejoin the company or even earn up to $10,000 by referring your professional contacts, friends, and family.
