Senior Arabic Linguists

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

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a cleared Arabic Linguist to support Intelligence Community missions. You will translate Arabic to English, interpret, transcribe, and summarize complex linguistic materials with attention to regional dialects and cultural context.

The role requires a TS/SCI with polygraph, a relevant degree and multiple years of translation/interpretation experience, and willingness to travel OCONUS for the contract on a 24/7 basis when traveling.

Qualifications

• Professional translation and interpretation experience across Arabic-English materials.
• Ability to transcribe audio and generate high-quality English reports.
• Experience identifying key facts and abstract concepts from large datasets.

Responsibilities

• Translate materials from Arabic to English and vice versa with contextual accuracy.
• Provide consecutive interpretation; occasionally perform simultaneous interpretation.
• Transcribe audio or video content and produce English-language reports.
• Identify and summarize key facts and concepts from datasets and references.

Skills

Translation

Interpretation

Transcription

Gisting and Summarization

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 8–12 years of relevant experience

Master’s degree with 6–10 years of related experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Online research

Job description

Arabic Linguist with a polygraph Make a Global Impact - Join the Mission at Leidos

Are you ready to apply your linguistic expertise to impactful work that directly supports the Intelligence Community? At Leidos, you’ll join a mission-driven team where innovation, collaboration, and excellence come together to tackle some of the world’s most complex challenges. This is an opportunity to make a real difference while growing your career in a supportive and dynamic environment. You’ll have access to cutting-edge tools, strong leadership, and meaningful work that truly matters.

Security Clearance Requirements:

Candidates must possess an active TS/SCI security clearance with a polygraph. Candidates must also be eligible for a security clearance upgrade, as required for this role.

We are currently seeking a highly skilled cleared 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:

• 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.

What You Bring:

• An active TS/SCI security clearance with a polygraph. Candidates must also be eligible for a security 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Pay and Benefits

• Employment benefits include 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.

Company Information

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.