Category 3 Linguist (Mandarin)

SMX; United States; Remote; USD 105,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

SMX is seeking experienced Mandarin-English interpreters for onsite work in Taipei, Taiwan. The role requires DoD Top Secret clearance and the ability to cover multiple counties on the main island, with potential travel within the region.

Freelance and organizational interpreting experience are valued. Ideal candidates hold ILR and OPI scores, 1–2 years of simultaneous interpretation, and strong leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Top Secret clearance is required.
• Mandarin (Traditional) and English fluency in speech and writing.
• 1–2 years’ experience performing simultaneous interpretation in formal and informal settings.
• 1–2 years’ experience leading a team of Linguists.
• ILR scores for listening, reading, and speaking; OPI score documented.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills.
• 40-hour standard workweek; surge assignments may reach 60–70 hours.

Responsibilities

• Provide real-time Mandarin/English interpretation for meetings, conferences, and client interactions.
• Assist international clients in understanding local culture, regulations, and business practices.
• Facilitate clear communication between English-speaking and Mandarin-speaking parties in various settings.
• Translate written documents, emails, and presentations as required.
• Support VIP visits, international business engagements, and events.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality in all interpretations/translations.
• An NDA may be required prior to employment.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

Mandarin-English fluency

ILR scores documentation

OPI score documentation

Simultaneous interpretation

Leadership of linguists

Multi-tasking in fast-paced env

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in English-speaking country

Job description

We are seeking highly skilled, and professional interpreters for Mandarin to English and English to Mandarin translation to join our candidate pool in Taiwan, collaborating closely with international clients. Ideal candidates will possess strong language interpretation skills and cultural competency. We welcome individuals who have spent considerable time overseas or hold a degree in English, Linguistics, or a related field. We are looking for mid-career professionals with experience in interpreting as part of an organization, as well as experience in freelance interpreting and translating. We embrace the ethos that a good interpreter commands the room, conveys the message—not just the words—and utilizes circumlocution to address gaps in technical lexicon.

Location

This position is located onsite in Taipei, Taiwan.

Security Clearance Requirements

This position requires a DoD Top Secret clearance which requires US citizenship for work on DoD contracts.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide real-time Mandarin/English interpretation for meetings, conferences, and client interactions. Candidates will be expected to cover multiple counties on the main island of Taiwan and may need to travel within their region as necessary, with or without company travel compensation.
• Assist international clients in understanding local culture, regulations, and business practices.
• Facilitate clear communication between English-speaking and Mandarin-speaking parties in various settings.
• Translate written documents, emails, and presentations as required. Remote work with flexible hours will occasionally be available based on the company’s needs. Employees will be expected to use their own computers for translation tasks.
• Support VIP visits, international business engagements, and events.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality in all interpretations/translations.
• An NDA (non-disclosure agreement) may be required prior to employment.

Required Skills & Experience

• Active Top-Secret Clearance
• Language Proficiency: Applicants must provide ILR (Interagency Language Roundtable) scores in Mandarin for listening, reading, and speaking. Documentation of the OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) score must be included in the application package.
• One to two years’ experience performing simultaneous interpretation in both formal and informal settings.
• One to two years’ experience leading a team of Linguists.
• Solid leadership and followship skills.
• Fluent in both Mandarin (Traditional) and English (written and spoken).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven experience in simultaneous and consecutive interpretation.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environments and manage multiple projects.
• Standard Workweek: The standard workweek is 40 hours; however, surge assignments may necessitate 60 or 70 hours, including weekends and holidays, depending on the project’s demands.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Experience as an officer or enlisted member from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces is desired.
• Familiarity with international business protocols and cross-cultural communication.
• Experience working with multinational teams or clients. (Include time spent in overseas working environments).
• Knowledge of industry-specific terminology (Cybersecurity, Software Applications, and Integrated Communication Systems).
• A comprehensive understanding of military strategic, operational, and tactical concepts in both Mandarin and English.
• Overseas experience or exposure to diverse cultures (highly preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university in an English-speaking country.

#CJPOST

The SMX salary determination process takes into account a number of factors, including but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories, relevant prior work experience, specific skills, education and certifications. At SMX, one of our Core Values is to Invest in Our People so we offer a competitive mix of compensation, learning & development opportunities, and benefits. Some key components of our robust benefits include health insurance, paid leave, and retirement.

The proposed salary for this position is:

$105,000—$133,000 USD

At SMX® we are a team of technical and domain experts dedicated to enabling your mission. From priority national security initiatives for the DoD to highly assured and compliant solutions for healthcare, we understand that digital transformation is key to your future success.

We share your vision for the future and strive to accelerate your impact on the world. We bring both cutting edge technology and an expansive view of what’s possible to every engagement. Our delivery model and unique approaches harness our deep technical and domain knowledge, providing forward-looking insights and practical solutions to power secure mission acceleration.

SMX is an Equal Opportunity employer including disabilities and veterans.

Selected applicant may be subject to a background investigation and/or education verification.

SMX does not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization or immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1 and O-1, or any EADs or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).