Why culture brought this Leidos engineer back to the team
For many professionals, career growth means stepping into something new, like exploring different industries, testing new paths, and learning what matters most along the way. For Jennifer Protivnak, that journey outside of Leidos ultimately reinforced the value of returning.
Her Leidos story began right out of college, joining as a software engineer after a former classmate from the University of Pittsburgh encouraged her to apply.
As her career progressed, Jennifer began to feel drawn toward broadening her experience. After spending years in the air traffic domain, she wanted to challenge herself in a different environment. Stepping away felt like an opportunity to expand beyond engineering and test what she wanted permanently.
Why Jennifer returned to Leidos
Her time away brought clear perspective. A major factor in leaving was based on the promise of an increased salary and benefits. While those expectations were met, Jennifer quickly learned that those perks didn’t necessarily translate into positive daily experiences.
“The benefits and pay felt like golden handcuffs for work that I found much less inspiring,” she reflected.
The contrast helped clarify what had made Leidos meaningful in the first place. She realized that the colleagues she had worked with for years were not just coworkers, but an important part of what made her work fulfilling.
Those relationships ultimately opened the door back. Staying in touch with former teammates made it possible to reconnect, and after reaching out to express interest in returning, the decision quickly became clear.
“When I left Leidos, I felt a sense of dread and questioned if I made the right decision,” Jennifer said. “Coming back, I felt a sense of peace and certainty that I made the right choice.”
Since returning in 2023, that certainty has only intensified. The experience has renewed her appreciation for the aspects of work that matter most: work-life balance, meaningful mission-driven work, and strong relationships with colleagues. With diverse and complementary skillsets, backgrounds, and experiences, Leidos employees take pride in their work, and in wearing their purple.
What matters most when choosing where to work
Today, Jennifer serves as a Systems Engineer in the Homeland sector. Looking ahead, she’s energized by what’s next for the air traffic industry and by the opportunities to continue learning.
For others considering a return, her advice is simple: define what matters most.
“If you prioritize a healthy culture that’s perpetuated from the top down, along with great relationships with your colleagues, then returning to Leidos is a great choice.”
Related:
- Returning with purpose: Brittany Schaeffer’s journey back to Leidos
- “From the moment I left, I knew I wanted to come back." Sarah Chabal's path back to Leidos
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