Senior Arabic Linguist

Leidos Inc; Vienna (VA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Arabic Linguist to join our mission-driven team in the United States. The role requires translation, interpretation, transcription, and gisting with high accuracy across Arabic and English, supporting national security objectives.

Candidates should hold a BA with 12+ years of experience or a Master's with 10+ years, and pass language proficiency tests. A TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required. Knowledge of MS Office and research skills are essential.

Qualifications

• BA degree and 12+ years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 10+ years of prior relevant experience.
• Translation and/or interpretation degree is highly desired
• HLT experience a plus
• Must successfully complete a language proficiency test at the senior level or higher

Responsibilities

• Provide professional-level linguistic support across translation, interpretation, transcription and gisting.
• Maintain high fidelity and cultural/contextual accuracy in all work.
• Produce high-quality English-language reports from audio/visual materials.
• Identify and summarize key facts and abstract concepts from large datasets.

Skills

Translation

Interpretation

Transcription

Gisting

Linguistic analysis

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Language proficiency tests

Job description

Senior Arabic 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.

We are currently seeking a highly skilled Senior Arabic 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 Arabic 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 degree and 12+ years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 10+ 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 senior 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.
• Successfully completing the required language assessments.
• CONUS Travel.

Why Leidos?

At Leidos, we're not just offering a job - we're offering a mission. As part of the Leidos 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.

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 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.

Pay Range: $116,350.00 - $210,325.00

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.

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.

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.