Senior Russian Linguists

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

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Russian Linguist to translate, interpret, transcribe, and summarize complex materials in support of national security. Candidates must hold an active TS/SCI clearance with a polygraph and meet ILR 4/SRL 4+ proficiency, with extensive experience in translation and interpretation for the Intelligence Community.

The role requires a Bachelor’s (8–12 years) or Master’s (6–10 years) and a strong command of English and Russian, along with Microsoft Office proficiency and

Qualifications

• Must hold an active TS/SCI clearance with a polygraph and be eligible for upgrade.
• Bachelor’s degree with 8–12 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree with 6–10 years of related experience.
• 3+ years of translation, transcription, and interpretation experience within the last 8 years or recently completed MA in translation or interpretation.
• Professional translation and/or interpretation certification or professional memberships is a plus.
• Must receive 90% on English test.
• Must complete a Leidos-administered language proficiency test at Senior level (ILR 4 and SLR 4+/4+/4+).
• Translation/interpretation degree is highly desired.
• Experience in the Intelligence Community and Operations; HLT experience a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and online research.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and target languages.

Responsibilities

• Translate technical documents from Russian into English and provide linguistic support across translation, interpretation, transcription, and gisting.
• Interpret with consecutive and occasional simultaneous modes, maintaining high fidelity and accounting for dialects.
• Transcribe audio or video content and produce high-quality English-language reports.
• Identify and summarize key facts and abstract concepts from large datasets and reference materials.

Skills

Russian language

Security clearance

English proficiency

MS Office

Translation/Interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Senior Russian interpreters 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 Russian 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. Candidates must hold an active TS/SCI security clearance with a polygraph and be eligible for a clearance upgrade.

What You’ll Do

• Translate technical documents from Russian into English and provide professional-level linguistic support across a range of activities, including translation, interpretation, transcription, and gisting, including but not limited to: Translation Accurately translate materials (both digital and hard copy) from Russian into English and vice versa. Russian to English highly technical translation 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.
• Interpret 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.)
• Relevant experience within the last year 3+ years of professional and recent translation, transcription, and interpretation experience within the last 8 years or recently completed M.A. in translation or interpretation.
• Professional translation and/or interpretation certification or professional memberships a plus.
• Must receive 90% on English test.
• Must successfully complete a Leidos-administered language proficiency test or equivalent at the Senior level (ILR 4 and SLR 4+/4+/4+).
• Translation and/or interpretation degree is highly desired.
• Candidates must have experience in the Intelligence Community and Operations. HLT experience a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic online research.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and target languages.

Travel 0-10%

Preferred Qualifications: Experience supporting contingency operations as an interpreter. 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.

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. Original Posting: May 6, 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 $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.

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.