Kurdish/Arabic Translators

Leidos LLC; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness programs

Income Protection

Paid Leave

Retirement

Job summary

Leidos LLC seeks a Kurdish (Sorani/Kurmanji) linguist with Arabic skills to join a mission-driven team supporting national security objectives.

The role emphasizes accurate translation, interpretation, transcription, and summarization of diverse materials. A current TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is preferred; sponsorship may be available for upgrade. Travel and security training are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 4–8 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 2–6 years of prior relevant experience.
• Translation and/or interpretation degree is highly desired.
• HLT experience a plus.
• Must successfully complete a Leidos-administered language proficiency test or equivalent at the Primary level or higher.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic online research.
• All candidates must take and pass language tests administered by LEIDOS/an accepted commercial testing vendor.

Responsibilities

• Translation: accurately translate materials from Kurdish and Arabic into English with contextual accuracy.
• Interpretation: provide consecutive interpretation; occasional simultaneous interpretation.
• Transcription: listen to audio and transcribe; produce high-quality English-language reports.
• Gisting and Summarization: identify key facts and extract critical information from datasets.

Skills

Kurdish linguistics

Arabic skills

Security awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Online research

Job description

Kurdish (Sorani/Kurmanji) with Arabic Make a Global Impact – Join the Mission at Leidos Are you ready to apply your linguistic expertise to meaningful work that directly supports national security? At Leidos, we bring together innovative minds, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to excellence to solve the world’s toughest challenges. Join a team where your contributions truly matter, and where you'll have the resources and support to thrive professionally and personally. We are currently seeking a highly skilled Kurdish (Sorani, Kurmanji) linguist with Arabic skills to join our mission-driven team. This role requires a language expert capable of handling a diverse range of complex linguistic tasks with accuracy, cultural awareness, and insight. A current TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is preferred; however, qualified candidates who hold a security clearance may be eligible for sponsorship to upgrade their clearance.

What You’ll Do

• Translation: Accurately translate materials (both digital and hard copy) from Kurdish and Arabic into English. 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.

Security Clearance

An active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is preferred; however, candidates with an existing security clearance may be eligible for sponsorship to obtain the required clearance upgrade. Must be fully adjudicated before work begins.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 4 – 8 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 2 – 6 years of prior relevant experience. (Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.)
• Translation and/or interpretation degree is highly desired.
• HLT experience a plus.
• Must successfully complete a Leidos-administered language proficiency test or equivalent at the Primary level or higher.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic online research.
• All candidates must take and pass language tests administered by LEIDOS/an accepted commercial testing vendor.

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.

Additional Information

• Attending and passing all sponsor related training is a requirement of employment.
• All Candidates must take and successfully pass a medical laboratory and/or physical screen as required by the program.
• 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.

Why Leidos?

At Leidos, we’re not just offering a job — we’re offering a mission. As part of the Intel Sector, you'll contribute to a safer world by enabling critical intelligence efforts with AI, machine learning, and digital modernization, Mission Software Systems. From safeguarding ports and borders to anticipating geopolitical instability years in advance, our linguists play an integral role in shaping global security. We value innovation, collaboration, and integrity — and we are looking for people who are driven to make a difference.

Ready to Elevate Your Career?

Ready to Elevate Your Career? If you’re a passionate linguist ready to support impactful work on a global scale, we encourage you. Your greatest work is ahead.

We’re excited to learn more about you. #MSBA

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: January 20, 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 $73,450.00 - $132,775.00 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

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave
• Retirement

Securing Your Data Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity 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.