Pashto Linguists

Leidos Inc; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Chantilly, Virginia is seeking a Pashto Linguist to join our mission-driven Intel Sector team. You will perform translation, interpretation, transcription, and gisting with precision and cultural insight.

Required: active TS/SCI clearance, 3+ years translation/interpretation, 8-12 years with Bachelor's or 6-10 years with Master's, proficiency in MS Office, and ability to travel 25%.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance preferred; sponsorship possible for upgrade; must be adjudicated before work begins.
• Bachelor's degree with 8–12 years or Master's with 6–10 years of related experience (additional years may count as degree substitution).
• 3+ years of professional translation and interpretation experience.
• Must pass a Leidos-administered language proficiency test at Senior level or higher.
• Translation and/or interpretation degree is highly desired.
• US immigration experience is highly desired.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic online research.
• Strong written and verbal communication in English and target languages.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional linguistic support across translation, interpretation, transcription, and gisting.
• Translate materials from Pashto into English and vice versa with contextual accuracy.
• Provide consecutive and occasional simultaneous interpretation.
• Transcribe audio and produce high‑quality English reports.
• Identify and summarize key facts and abstract concepts from large datasets.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

Translation

Interpretation

Gisting

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

HLT experience

Job description

Make a Global Impact - Join the Mission at Leidos

Are you ready to apply your linguistic expertise to meaningful work that directly supports Intel Sector? 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.

An active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is preferred; however, qualified candidates with an existing security clearance may be eligible for sponsorship to obtain the required upgrade,

We are currently seeking a highly skilled Pashto 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 Pashto 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:

• 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.
• Bachelor's degree with 8 - 12 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree with 6-10 years of related experience. (Additional years of experience 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 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.

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.
• 25% 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?

If you're a passionate linguist ready to support impactful work on a global scale, we encourage you to apply today. 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. We're excited to learn more about you, apply today!

#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.

Pay Range

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.

About 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 $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. 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. 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.