Kurdish Linguist

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

Job summary

Leidos in Reston, VA seeks a Kurdish Linguist to apply linguistic expertise to national security missions. You will translate Kurdish-English, interpret with high fidelity, transcribe audio, and summarize key facts from large datasets.

Travel OCONUS and TS/SCI with polygraph clearance required for the role. Qualified candidates have a BA/BS or higher, 4–8 years of experience (or Masters with 2–6 years), and proficiency in MS Office and research.

Qualifications

• BA/BS or equivalent formal training plus 4–8 years of experience, or Masters with 2–6 years of experience.
• Translation or interpretation degree is highly desired; HL T experience a plus.
• Must pass language proficiency test or equivalent at the Primary level or higher.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and basic online research; candidates must pass language tests.

Responsibilities

• Translate materials from Kurdish into English and vice versa, capturing nuanced references.
• Provide consecutive interpretation; occasional simultaneous interpretation.
• Transcribe audio or video content and produce high-quality English reports.
• Identify and summarize key facts from large datasets; use references to support output.
• Security clearance: TS/SCI with polygraph is required and must be adjudicated before work begins.

Skills

Translation

Interpretation

Transcription

Gisting & Summarization

Education

BA/BS or equivalent; Masters with 2-6 years

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Kurdish Linguist 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.

TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required.

What You’ll Do:

• Translation: Accurately translate materials (both digital and hard copy) from Kurdish 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.
• Security Clearance: A TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required (must be fully adjudicated before work begins).

Qualifications:

• BA/BS and/or equivalent formal military training and 4-8 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 2-6 years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be substituted 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 language assessments.
• Successfully completing the required weapons training.
• Travel OCONUS is required.
• 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. Your greatest work is ahead. At Leidos, the opportunities are boundless. We challenge our staff with interesting assignments that provide them with an opportunity to thrive, professionally and personally. For us, helping you grow your career is good business. 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.

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.

Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

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.

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave and Retirement
• More details are available here

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.