Leidos taps leading AI tech executive Ted Tanner as chief technology officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) named Theodore "Ted" Tanner Jr. as chief technology officer, effective Jan. 5, 2026, succeeding Jim Carlini, who will remain as senior advisor on national security.

Tanner joins from BigBear.ai, where he led AI and machine-learning development for defense, intelligence and civilian agencies, and holds 18 U.S. patents in AI and related technologies. His background includes roles at Apple, Microsoft and IBM Watson Health and a seat on QuiverBioscience's scientific advisory board.

The appointment is positioned to accelerate Leidos' deployment of AI, mission software, cyber and quantum solutions in support of its NorthStar 2030 strategy across space, maritime, digital modernization, managed health services, mission software and energy infrastructure.

Positive

• Appointment effective Jan. 5, 2026
• Tanner holds 18 U.S. patents in AI and machine learning
• Tanner led BigBear.ai AI programs for defense and intelligence

Negative

• CTO transition could disrupt programs during handover period
• Long-tenured CTO Jim Carlini stepping down may affect continuity

News Market Reaction

-1.99%

1 alert

-1.99% News Effect

On the day this news was published, LDOS declined 1.99%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

CTO transition date: Jan. 5, 2026 AI patents: 18 U.S. patents

2 metrics

CTO transition date Jan. 5, 2026 Date Ted Tanner succeeds Jim Carlini as Leidos CTO

AI patents 18 U.S. patents Patents held by Ted Tanner in AI, machine learning and other technologies

Market Reality Check

Price: $188.44 Vol: Volume 1,152,066 is 1.44x...

normal vol

$188.44 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,152,066 is 1.44x the 20-day average of 801,398, indicating elevated trading interest before this announcement. normal

Technical Price $189.73 is trading above the 200-day MA of $165.94, reflecting a pre-news uptrend and strength vs. longer-term levels.

Peers on Argus

Peers showed mixed, mostly negative moves pre-news: GIB up 0.38%, while CDW (-3....

Peers showed mixed, mostly negative moves pre-news: GIB up 0.38%, while CDW (-3.44%), BR (-0.63%), WIT (-2.11%), and CTSH (-0.02%) declined. With LDOS down 0.42%, action appeared more stock-specific than a broad sector swing.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 08 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 08	AI security collaboration	Positive	-0.6%	Announced integration of CargoSeer AI algorithms into Mezzo platform for border security.
Dec 04	Energy contract renewal	Positive	-2.9%	Won three-year $127M Hawai'i Energy administration contract, reinforcing energy infrastructure strategy.
Dec 02	Security certification	Positive	-0.7%	B220-HT explosive trace system achieved G1 EU security standard ahead of 2026 mandate.
Nov 25	Screening tech partnership	Positive	+2.5%	Partnered with Quadridox to combine CT and XRDI for advanced baggage screening, with 2026 trials.
Nov 04	Q3 earnings beat	Positive	+3.4%	Reported record Q3 2025 results and raised full-year guidance on EPS and margins.

Pattern Detected

Recent operational and contract wins, including AI-focused deals, often produced modest or even negative next-day moves, while strong quarterly earnings saw clearer upside.

Recent Company History

Over the last six weeks, Leidos reported several operational wins and one major earnings beat. An AI collaboration for border security (Dec 8) and a $127 million Hawai'i Energy renewal (Dec 4) both saw small share declines. Security-tech milestones, including EU certification for the B220-HT ETD system (Dec 2) and a Quadridox baggage-screening partnership with 2026 trials planned, showed mixed reactions. In contrast, record Q3 2025 results on Nov 4 with raised guidance led to a notable positive move, underscoring earnings’ importance versus incremental contract or technology news.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Leidos’ decision to appoint an experienced AI executive as CTO, reinfor...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Leidos’ decision to appoint an experienced AI executive as CTO, reinforcing its NorthStar 2030 focus on AI, cyber, quantum, and digital modernization. Ted Tanner’s background at BigBear.ai, IBM Watson Health, and multiple startups, plus 18 U.S. patents, underscores an emphasis on advanced technologies across defense, health, and critical infrastructure. In context of recent AI partnerships and contract wins, investors may watch how this leadership change influences future AI platform launches, agency contracts, and longer-term earnings trajectories.

Key Terms

artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, genomics, +2 more

6 terms

artificial intelligence technical

"to accelerate its deployment of artificial intelligence, mission-critical software"

Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers and machines to perform tasks that typically require human thinking, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, or making decisions. For investors, it matters because AI can enhance efficiency, uncover new insights, and enable smarter strategies, potentially impacting the value and performance of companies that develop or utilize this technology.

machine learning technical

"led development of AI and machine learning capabilities for the U.S. Department"

Machine learning is a set of computer programs that learn patterns from large amounts of data and improve their predictions or decisions over time, like a recipe that gets better each time it’s adjusted based on taste tests. For investors it matters because these systems can speed up analysis, spot trends or risks humans might miss, automate routine work, and potentially create competitive advantages or cost savings that affect a company’s performance.

quantum computing technical

"markets in defense, health, quantum computing and more."

Quantum computing is a type of advanced technology that uses the principles of quantum physics to perform calculations much faster than traditional computers. It can process vast amounts of information simultaneously, potentially solving complex problems that are currently impossible or take too long with regular computers. For investors, this technology could lead to breakthroughs in areas like cryptography, data analysis, and optimization, impacting financial markets and security systems.

genomics medical

"applying advanced technologies to genomics, pharmacology and oncology."

The study of an organism’s complete set of genes and how those genes behave, interact, and influence traits — like reading and interpreting a living organism’s instruction manual. For investors, genomics matters because it drives new drugs, diagnostics and personalized treatments that can create big commercial opportunities or regulatory risks; understanding genomics helps assess a company’s technology edge, market potential and long-term value.

pharmacology medical

"applying advanced technologies to genomics, pharmacology and oncology."

Pharmacology is the science of how drugs affect the body and how the body affects drugs — including what a drug does, how much is needed, how long it lasts, and possible side effects. For investors, pharmacology matters because it determines whether a medicine is likely to work safely, how it will be dosed, what risks regulators and doctors will see, and therefore how big its market and approval chances might be — like testing a recipe to see if it will reliably satisfy customers.

oncology medical

"applying advanced technologies to genomics, pharmacology and oncology."

Oncology is the branch of medicine focused on understanding, diagnosing, and treating cancer, including the development and testing of drugs, therapies, and screening methods. It matters to investors because advances, trial results, regulatory approvals, or setbacks in cancer research can dramatically change the value of companies and the size of potential markets—think of oncology news as weather reports that help investors steer financial decisions in a high-stakes field.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

RESTON, Va., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) is bringing on Theodore "Ted" Tanner Jr. as its new chief technology officer to accelerate its deployment of artificial intelligence, mission-critical software, and cyber and quantum solutions to customers' most pressing challenges. 

Tanner most recently served as chief technology and strategy officer at BigBear.ai. As of Jan. 5, 2026, he'll succeed Jim Carlini, Leidos CTO since 2019, who previously announced plans to step down from the role.  

"Ted is a high-impact leader who pairs entrepreneurial creativity with execution discipline to solve tough deep-technology challenges," said Leidos Chief Executive Officer Tom Bell. "His track record of delivering bold, disruptive tech to defense, government and healthcare customers is a great fit with our capabilities and NorthStar 2030 growth priorities."

"As we welcome Ted, we thank Jim for leadership that has shaped the technological foundation of our company and enhanced the security of the United States and its allies," said Bell. Carlini will remain as senior advisor to Bell on national security matters.   

Leidos' NorthStar 2030 strategy is designed to set it apart in space and maritime domains, digital modernization and full-spectrum cyber, managed health services, mission software, and energy infrastructure. To a large extent, the progress in those areas, and others, is fueled by driving outcomes through proven AI.

"I'm thrilled to join Leidos as CTO," Tanner said. "Together, we'll propel this iconic powerhouse into an agentic AI leader, empowering developers to build autonomous systems that orchestrate critical missions for customers across growing markets in defense, health, quantum computing and more." 

At BigBear.ai, Tanner led development of AI and machine learning capabilities for the U.S. Department of War and intelligence and civilian agencies. He also currently sits on the scientific advisory board of QuiverBioscience, which is applying AI to the development of treatments for brain disorders.

A veteran of multiple Silicon Valley companies, including Apple and Microsoft, Tanner holds 18 U.S. patents in AI, machine learning and other technologies. Before BigBear.ai, he was IBM Watson Health's chief technology officer and chief architect, applying advanced technologies to genomics, pharmacology and oncology. Tanner also co-founded startups PokitDok and BeliefNetworks. 

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com. 

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

Media Contact:

Brandon Ver Velde
571.526.6257
brandon.p.vervelde@leidos.com

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SOURCE Leidos Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

When does Leidos' new CTO Ted Tanner officially start (LDOS)?

Ted Tanner officially becomes CTO on Jan. 5, 2026.

Who will Ted Tanner replace as Leidos CTO (LDOS) and what happens to his predecessor?

Tanner succeeds Jim Carlini, who will remain as a senior advisor on national security.

What relevant experience does Ted Tanner bring to Leidos (LDOS)?

He led AI and ML at BigBear.ai for defense and intelligence and held roles at Apple, Microsoft, and IBM Watson Health.

How does Tanner’s hire relate to Leidos' NorthStar 2030 strategy (LDOS)?

The company says Tanner will accelerate AI, mission software, cyber and quantum efforts aligned with NorthStar 2030 priorities.

Does Ted Tanner have patents or advisory roles relevant to Leidos (LDOS)?

Yes; Tanner holds 18 U.S. patents in AI and sits on QuiverBioscience’s scientific advisory board.