Chinese Linguist

Chinese 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. An active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required.

We are currently seeking a highly skilled Chinese 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

Selected candidates may provide professional-level linguistic support across translation, interpretation, transcription, and gisting activities.

Translation

• Translate written materials from the target language into English and from English into the target language.
• Accurately convey meaning, intent, tone, and cultural nuances.
• Effectively capture geopolitical, regional, ethnic, and cultural references.
• Apply appropriate terminology and language usage based on the subject matter and target audience.
• Produce clear, accurate, and polished translations while maintaining fidelity to the source content.

Interpretation

• Provide consecutive interpretation between English and the target language.
• Provide simultaneous interpretation when required by mission needs.
• Accurately convey information in real time while preserving meaning, tone, and intent.
• Navigate regional dialects, colloquialisms, and culturally specific content with precision.
• Support meetings, interviews, briefings, and operational activities requiring interpretation services.

Transcription

• Accurately transcribe audio, video, and internet-based content.
• Produce high-quality English-language reports derived from foreign-language source materials.
• Demonstrate an understanding of regional dialects and language variations.

Gisting and Summarization

• Identify and summarize key facts, themes, and critical information.
• Extract relevant intelligence and operationally significant details from large volumes of material.
• Utilize research tools and reference materials to support high-quality deliverables.

What You Bring

• A TS/SCI with a polygraph is required. Clearance 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 relevant experience. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Degree in Translation, Interpretation, Linguistics, or related Language Studies strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of recent professional experience in translation, interpretation, transcription, or a combination of these disciplines.
• Professional interpretation skills are required.
• Ability to perform both written and spoken language tasks at a professional level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and the target language(s).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and basic online research tools

Language Testing Requirements

Candidates must successfully complete the following:

• Passing the English language assessment
• Achieving a Senior or Expert rating on the target language proficiency assessment.
• Demonstrating professional-level interpretation skills between English and the target language.
• Meeting any additional customer-specific language testing requirements, as applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting contingency operations as a deployed linguist.
• Familiarity with the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), Department of Defense (DoD), military operations, or law enforcement environments.
• Experience providing consecutive and simultaneous interpretation in professional settings.
• Ability to effectively brief customers, present information clearly, and communicate findings to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with Human Language Technology (HLT) tools and applications.

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:

October 15, 2026

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.