Somali Translator/Linguist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Security clearance sponsorship

Training programs

Job summary

Leidos in Reston, VA is seeking a Somali Linguist to apply linguistic expertise to national security mission. The role involves translation, interpretation, transcription, and summarization.

You will translate and interpret Somali-English materials, maintain accuracy across dialects, and support intelligence tasks. Sponsorship for TS/SCI with polygraph is available after tests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 4–8 years of experience or Master’s with 2–6 years of experience (additional years may substitute for degree).
• Translation and/or interpretation degree is highly desired.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic online research; all candidates must pass language tests.

Responsibilities

• Translate materials from Somali into English and vice versa with accuracy.
• Provide consecutive interpretation and occasional simultaneous interpretation.
• Listen to audio or review content and transcribe accurately; produce high-quality English reports.
• Identify and summarize key facts and extract critical information from large datasets.

Skills

Somali language proficiency

Translation

Interpretation

Transcription

MS Office

Language testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in language-related field

Master’s degree in language-related field

Job description

Somali 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.

Leidos will sponsor and upgrade security clearances for eligible candidates.

We are currently seeking a highly skilled Somali 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 Somali 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

No clearance required to apply. Able to obtain a TS/SCI clearance with polygraph (must be fully adjudicated before work begins). Leidos will sponsor candidates after passing all the required language tests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 4 – 8 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 2 – 6 years of prior relevant experience. (Additional years of experience may be considered 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 weapons training.
• Travel is required both OCONUS and CONUS and is at the discretion of the customer.
• 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 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.

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.

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
• 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.

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 $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.