Chinese Mandarin Linguist/Instructor

Leidos; Fort Walton Beach (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Chinese Mandarin Linguist/Instructor to deliver global and cryptologic language training to military personnel. The role supports 4–6 week in-person classes and requires a TS/SCI clearance, ILRT 3+ in Mandarin, and strong Mandarin proficiency. Travel 20–25% and flexible hours to align with time zones are expected.

Assignments may run through Sept 2027 with opportunities to develop curriculum and materials in collaboration with Language Program Managers.

Qualifications

• Must possess a current TS/SCI clearance.
• ILRT level 3+ in Chinese Mandarin and ILRT 2+ in English.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Mandarin / Applied Linguistics / language teaching.
• 2–4 years of military or intelligence experience.
• 1–3 years of language-related experience.
• 1+ year experience producing translation and language services.
• 1+ year experience providing language or related instruction; cryptologic instructor preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Chinese Mandarin (speaking, grammar, phonology).
• Willing to travel 20–25% for 4–6 week in-person classes.
• Flexible hours to accommodate online training across time zones.

Responsibilities

• Provide global language, cryptologic, language, and cultural training via classroom, materials, tech-based, and distributed learning.
• Develop and integrate new training materials for US Government approval.
• Adapt instructional methods to meet proficiency goals and learning styles.
• Advise Language Manager on assessment, placement, and training needs.
• Track student progression and evaluate training effectiveness.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

ILRT Chinese Mandarin

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Mandarin / Applied Linguistics / language teaching

Job description

Step into a mission where what you do truly matters!

At Leidos, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Powered by a team as diverse as it is talented, we’re driven by a shared passion for delivering bold solutions that fuel our customers’ success. We believe in empowering our people, giving back to our communities, and leading with sustainability. Every action we take is grounded in integrity and a steadfast commitment to doing what’s right—for our customers, our teams, and the world around us. Our Mission, Vision, and Values aren’t just words—they’re the compass guiding our journey toward a brighter future.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for a Chinese Mandarin Linguist/Instructor. This role can be based at Fort Bragg, NC; Cannon AFB, NM; or Hurlburt Field, FL. Candidates must currently possess a TS/SCI security clearance in order to be considered. The selected individual will provide translation services in a variety of forms, primarily global and cryptologic language training to military personnel. Works with unit Language Program Manager to develop/integrate language training materials, technologies, and methods in existing training programs.

Note-Assignment is projected to go until September 2027.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide global language, cryptologic, language, and cultural training to military forces and civilian personnel via traditional classroom instruction, written materials, technology-based instruction, and distributed learning services.

• Help to develop and integrate new global and cryptologic training materials, curriculum, and courseware for approval of US Government.

• Adapt instructional methods to meet student language proficiency goals, learning styles, and time constraints.

• Advise Language Manager and military representatives on assessment, placement, and training needs of students.

• Track student progression and reports effectiveness of training to Language Manager and military.

Required Qualifications:

• Must possesses a current TS/SCI security clearance

• Interagency Language Round Table {ILRT) level 3 or higher in Chinese Mandarin and an advanced working proficiency in English {ILRT level 2+, based on DLPT 4)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Mandarin language/Applied Linguistics/language teachingpreferred.Additional experience may be considered in lieu of degree or combination with an Associate’s degree)

• 2-4 years of military or intelligence experience

• 1-3 years of language related experience.

• 1 or more years’ experience in producing translation and language-related services.

• 1 or more years’ experience providing language or relation instruction. Military cryptologic language instructor experience preferred.

• Strong knowledge of Chinese Mandarin to include speaking, grammar, phonology, linguistic functions, etc.

• Familiarity with various phases of intelligence cycle such as collection, processing, exploitation and dissemination and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance activities.

• Must be willing and able to travel approximately 20–25% to support 1–3 classes per year, with each in‑person class lasting 4–6 weeks.

• Must be flexible with work hours to accommodate the online training schedule due to different time zones for the units.

NOTE: For the Proficiency requirements, specifically for English, an American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) score of Advanced High is the equivalent to an English Comprehension Level test that’s administered by the DLI English Language Center. The wording can stay as is, but as a note for HR, the ACTFL score would also work. Overall, the Interagency Language Roundtable is what sets the USG standards for Language proficiency.

AMSOPP1

If you’re looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

September 14, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $52,000.00 - $94,000.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.