From Intern to Impact: Meet Jayden Nguyen

Building Technology That Supports Veteran Care

Hailing from Glendora, California, Jayden Nguyen graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a minor in data science. He said, “I’ve always liked building software that solves real-world problems, so Leidos QTC really stood out to me because it combines technology with healthcare.” During his undergraduate studies, Nguyen joined the company as an IT Intern. 

One of his most impactful internship projects involved creating a proof of concept for the Medical Records Workspace. Nguyen explained the project as “A browser-based application that combines an advanced PDF editor with our Virtual Medical Record Viewer. The biggest challenge was building it without relying on the third-party PDF software we had previously used. It pushed me to think beyond just writing code and really focus on designing scalable solutions and solving complex technical problems.” 

Equally meaningful was the mentorship he received from experienced engineers.  “They did not just give me the answers. They encouraged me to explore different solutions, understand the trade-offs, and explain my reasoning. They were always willing to answer questions, review ideas, and share their knowledge, which made it easy to keep learning.”

Rather than a single defining moment, Nguyen says it was the culture of collaboration and trust that made him want to stay at the company and build his full-time career path. "I was trusted with meaningful work, encouraged to share my ideas and always felt like my contributions mattered," he said. "By the end of my internship, I knew it was the kind of team and environment I wanted to continue growing with."

Nguyen currently serves as associate software engineer, where he has taken on more of a leading role. He reflected, “As an intern, I was focused on learning and growing as an engineer, but now I’m trusted to design, develop, and deliver features that make it all the way to production. One project I’m especially proud of was improving our Provider Appointments application by adding support for upcoming, rescheduled, and canceled appointments across different provider types.”

Developing innovative software is rewarding in its own right, but for Nguyen, the greatest satisfaction comes from knowing those innovations make life easier for the clinicians who rely on them every day. He stated, “The software we build supports the clinicians who care for our nation’s Veterans. While I am not working directly with patients, the features and applications my team develops help make clinician’s workflows more efficient, allowing them to spend more time focused on delivering care.”

When asked what advice he had for prospective Leidos QTC interns, Nguyen said “Take every opportunity to work with the people around you because they are an incredible resource and have so much knowledge to share. Also, do not be afraid to take on challenging projects. Some of the experiences that helped me grow the most came from stepping outside my comfort zone.”