Leidos

Builds technology for defense and civil agencies

Human Language Technology Developer

Natural Language Processing & LLMsConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeReston, VA, USA$131.3k - $237.3kIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

An active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance with polygraph is required.
A Bachelor of Science degree and at least 12 years of prior relevant experience, or a Master's degree and at least 10 years of prior relevant experience, is required; a doctorate in a technical domain is also acceptable.
At least 3 years of demonstrated knowledge of community translation fundamentals and standard operating procedures is required.
Recent experience deploying and training machine learning models is required.
Experience working with large, complex data sets is required.
Experience with deep learning tools such as PyTorch or TensorFlow is required.
Proficiency with modern programming languages and tools, including React.js, Node.js, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, and Bash command-line tools, is required.
Proficiency with PostgreSQL and SQL database migrations, schema design, indexing, and query optimization is required.
Knowledge of machine learning methodologies and frameworks such as NLTK or spaCy is required.
A solid understanding of linguistics, grammar, syntax, and the nuances of human language is required.
Knowledge of and experience in prototyping or developing human language technology components or systems is required.
Ability to apply state-of-the-art machine learning techniques to human language technology processing challenges is required.
Ability to analyze complex linguistic challenges and develop creative technical solutions is required.
Ability to work independently and make decisions with minimal direction is required.
Strong written and verbal communication skills to explain challenging technical concepts to lay and expert audiences are required.
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills to collaborate with diverse teams and users are required.
Ability to develop innovative solutions through research and integration of best practices is required.

Responsibilities

Develop applications by writing and maintaining source code, applying frameworks involved in a software release, and developing APIs to improve workflow and integrate new resources into existing HLT and AI tools.
Design bespoke technical solutions to process challenging or unfamiliar data types.
Recommend, develop, evaluate, and integrate Human Language Technology capabilities.
Provide technical leadership to cross-functional teams developing AI and HLT solutions.
Analyze language processing needs and recommend innovative solutions for cost and labor efficiency.
Innovate and prototype HLT systems or components based on priority workflow and operational mission needs.
Recommend and develop new technical solutions, products, and standards in support of program strategy and operations.
Evaluate technology solutions in the context of mission data and workflow needs and provide actionable recommendations.
Convey complex ideas to non-technical audiences through briefings or white papers.
Serve as a leading voice on HLT within the customer and Leidos organization.
Mentor new program employees on HLT.
Integrate Leidos technology into program HLT efforts as appropriate.
Work across the program and with the customer to ensure consistent, quality translation, interpretation, and transcription support through HLT initiatives.

Desired Qualifications

Basic proficiency in one or more foreign languages is preferred.
Experience in greenfield software development and building APIs, including FastAPI for AI services, is preferred.
Experience training machine translation engineers or OCR language models is preferred.
Experience modifying open-source code for specific use cases is preferred.
Experience training and fine-tuning AI models is preferred.
Experience gathering or creating AI training data sets is preferred.
Knowledge of containerization for software distribution across diverse system environments is preferred.
Experience working with Agile Scrum development is preferred.
Experience supporting and optimizing AI production applications, RAG pipelines, and LangChain or LangGraph for agentic workflows is preferred.
Experience working with AWS cloud computing solutions is preferred.

Leidos is posting for an immediate fill position for a HLT Developer. The HLT Developer will implement strategic objectives to ensure that the HLT project is in line with program, corporate, and customer technical requirements and goals. The HLT Developer will perform horizontal integration planning with other functional areas and ensure HLT testing, solutions and schedules are implemented in a timely manner. The HLT Developer will be responsible for the execution of multiple initiatives to refresh and expand the HLT solutions.

Primary Responsibilities

Develop applications, writing and maintaining source code, applying frameworks involved in a software release, developing APIs to improve workflow and integrate new resources into existing HLT / AI tools.
Design bespoke technical solutions to process challenging or unfamiliar data types.
Recommend, develop, evaluate, and integrate Human Language Technology (HLT) capabilities
Provide technical leadership to cross-functional teams in developing AI and HLT solutions.
Analyze language processing needs and recommend innovative solutions for cost and labor efficiency.
Innovate and prototype HLT systems or components based on priority workflow and operational mission needs.
Recommends and develops new technical solutions, products, and/or standards in support of program strategy and operations.
Evaluate technology solutions in the context of mission data and workflow needs, providing actionable recommendations.
Convey complex ideas to non-technical audiences through briefings and/or white papers.
Be a leading voice on HLT within the customer and Leidos organization.
Be an HLT mentor to all new program employees.
Integrate Leidos technology to program HLT efforts as appropriate.
Work across the program and with the customer to ensure consistent, quality translation, interpretation, and transcription support through HLT initiatives.

Basic Qualifications

Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
BS degree and at least 12 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with at least 10 years of prior relevant experience. May possess a Doctorate in technical domain.
3+ years of demonstrated knowledge of community translation fundamentals and standard operating procedures
Recent experience deploying and training machine learning models.
Proven ability to work independently and make good decisions with minimal direction.
Experience working with large, complex data sets.
Experience working with deep learning tools, like PyTorch or TensorFlow.
Proficiency with modern programming languages such as Reactjs, Nodejs, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, bash command-line tools.
Proficiency with PostgreSQL and SQL database migrations, Schema design, indexing, query optimization.
Knowledge of various machine learning methodologies and frameworks like NLTK or SpaCy.
Solid understanding of linguistics, grammar, syntax, and the nuances of human language.
Ability to analyze complex linguistic challenges and develop creative, technical solutions.
Knowledge of and experience in prototyping/developing human language technology components/systems.
Ability to apply state-of-the-art machine learning techniques to human language technology processing challenges.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate challenging technical concepts to both lay and expert audiences.
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills to collaborate with diverse teams and users.
Develops solutions that are highly innovative and achieved through research and integration of best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

Basic proficiency in one or more foreign languages
Experience in greenfield software development, and building APIs (FastAPI for AI services)
Experience training machine translation engineers and/or OCR language models
Experience modifying open-source code to fit specific use cases
Experience training and fine-tuning AI models
Experience gathering / creating AI training data sets
Knowledge of containerization for software distribution across diverse system environments
Experience working with Agile Scrum Development
Experience supporting and optimizing AI production applications, RAG pipelines, LangChain / LangGraph for agentic workflows
Experience working with AWS cloud computing solutions.

#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 21, 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 $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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.

About the Company

Leidos

Builds technology for defense and civil agencies

Leidos develops technology and runs services for defense, intelligence and civilian agencies, as well as healthcare and commercial customers. It combines software and engineering work with systems integration, building secure networks and equipment used in demanding operations. Its portfolio includes medical services, energy infrastructure design and technology that supports military missions, linking specialist businesses under one parent. Customers pay through contracts for delivered systems and services, with payment tied to labor, costs or agreed project milestones. Leidos traces its roots to a company founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Reston, VA
Founded: 1969

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