- Job DescriptionPashto/Dari 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 Pashto/Dari 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:
You will provide professional-level linguistic support across translation, interpretation, transcription, and Gisting including but not limited to:
Translation
Accurately translate materials (both digital and hard copy) from Pashto/Dari 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:
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.
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.
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 National Security 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!
- Program NameProgram Name
STOUT
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:November 24, 2025For 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.
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.
Top Skills
What We Do
We Are Leidos
For 50 years we have been tackling some of the biggest problems that face our nation and our world.
OUR MISSION
Through our culture of innovation and history of performance, we develop deep customer trust built on integrity and create enduring solutions that improve our world. Leidos is a science and technology solutions leader working to address some of the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and healthcare markets. The company’s 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $11.09 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2020.
Leidos was cited for the meaningful work employees perform that is challenging, impactful, and aligned with our customers’ missions as reasons professionals want to work and stay at our company. Leidos has also been named to lists including Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute’s World's Most Ethical Companies®.
Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Employees appreciate our flexible work environment, allowing for and encouraging a true work-life balance. Our professionals are also excited about our Employee Resource Groups, like the newly launched Collaborative Outreach with Remote and Embedded Employees (CORE), which strives to create an environment where every employee, regardless of location, feels fully engaged as a valued employee of Leidos.
Your most important work is ahead.
