Arabic Linguist - TS/SCI

Leidos; Vienna (VA); On-site; USD 92,300 - 166,850; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness programs

Paid Leave

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a highly skilled Arabic Linguist in Vienna, Virginia. This role involves providing professional linguistic support including translation, interpretation, and transcription with a focus on cultural insights. A TS/SCI clearance is required along with significant experience in the field. This position offers a competitive salary range of $92,300 - $166,850, and emphasizes the impact of work within the Intelligence Community. Opportunities for overseas travel are also part of the role.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph required.
• 3+ years of translation and interpretation experience essential.
• Familiarity with U.S. Intelligence Community is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide linguistic support across translation, interpretation, and transcription.
• Accurately translate materials between Arabic and English.
• Transcribe audio content into high-quality English reports.

Skills

Translation and Interpretation

Cultural Insight

Strong Communication Skills

Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 8–12 years of experience or Master’s degree with 6–10 years

Job description

Description

Arabic Linguist with a polygraph

Make a Global Impact – Join the Mission at Leidos

Are you ready to apply your linguistic expertise to impactful work that directly supports the Intelligence Community? At Leidos, you’ll join a mission‑driven team where innovation, collaboration, and excellence come together to tackle some of the world’s most complex challenges. This is an opportunity to make a real difference while growing your career in a supportive and dynamic environment. You’ll have access to cutting‑edge tools, strong leadership, and meaningful work that truly matters.

This role requires an active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph and includes overseas travel.

We are currently seeking a highly skilled cleared Arabic Linguist to join our mission‑driven team. This position requires a language professional capable of performing a wide range of complex linguistic tasks with precision and cultural insight.

What You’ll Do:

You will provide professional‑level linguistic support across translation, interpretation, transcription, and Gisting including but not limited to:

Translation

• Accurately translate materials (both digital and hard copy) from Arabic into English and vice versa.
• Capture subtle nuances, cultural references, and abstract concepts with contextual accuracy.
• Capture geopolitical, regional, ethnic, and cultural references effectively.
• Use terminology and expression consistent with subject‑matter norms in the target language.

Interpretation

• Provide consecutive interpretation; simultaneous interpretation may occasionally be required.
• Maintain high fidelity and fluency, demonstrating understanding of regional dialects and cultural context.

Transcription

• Listen to audio or review internet‑based content and transcribe accurately and efficiently.
• Produce high‑quality English‑language reports based on audio/visual materials.
• Demonstrate nuanced understanding of dialectical variations.

Gisting and Summarization

• Identify and summarize key facts and abstract concepts accurately.
• Prioritize and extract critical information from large datasets.
• Use reference materials effectively to support quality output.

What You Bring:

• TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required.
• Bachelor’s degree with 8–12 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree with 6–10 years of related experience. (Additional years may be considered in lieu of a degree.)
• 3+ years of professional and recent translation and interpretation experience.
• Must successfully complete a Leidos‑administered language proficiency test or equivalent at the senior level or higher.
• Translation and/or interpretation degree is highly desired.
• HLT experience is a plus.
• US immigration experience is highly desired.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic online research.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and target languages.
• Successfully completing the required weapons training.
• Travel OCONUS is a requirement on this program. Candidate must be able to support the contract 24/7 when on travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting contingency operations as a deployed linguist.
• Familiarity with the U.S. Intelligence Community, military operations, or law enforcement environments.
• Ability to effectively brief and communicate findings to various stakeholders.
• Proficiency in multiple languages is a strong asset.

Pay Range

Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That’s why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.