Leidos names AI chief technology officer

Reston-based Fortune 500 federal contractor Leidos has named Theodore “Ted” Tanner Jr. its next chief technology officer, according to a Monday announcement.

Previously, Tanner worked as chief technology and strategy officer at BigBear.ai, an artificial intelligence provider for defense, national security and critical infrastructure headquartered in McLean.

“Ted is a high-impact leader who pairs entrepreneurial creativity with execution discipline to solve tough deep-technology challenges,” Tom Bell, Leidos CEO, said in a news release.

Tanner will assume the role Jan. 5, 2026. He succeeds Jim Carlini, Leidos’ CTO since 2019. Carlini will remain a senior adviser to Bell on national security matters.

At BigBear.ai, Tanner led the development of AI and machine learning capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense, which is also referred to as the Department of War, as well as for intelligence and civilian agencies. Previously, Tanner worked at Apple, Microsoft and IBM Watson Health. He also co-founded startups PokitDok, a platform-as-a-service company for health care, and Belief Networks, a machine learning and natural language processing as-a-service company.

Currently, Tanner sits on the scientific advisor board of QuiverBioscience, a Massachusetts-based company that uses technology to develop medicines for the brain. He holds 18 U.S. patents in artificial intelligence, machine learning and other technologies.

Earlier this year, Leidos unveiled its NorthStar 2030 growth strategy, which is designed to differentiate the company in the space and maritime industries, 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,” the company stated in Monday’s news release.

With 47,000 employees worldwide, Leidos reported $16.7 billion in revenue for the fiscal year that ended Jan. 3.