Chinese Linguist
About The Position
Leidos is seeking a highly skilled Chinese Linguist to provide professional-level linguistic support for national security missions. The role involves complex work across translation, interpretation, transcription, and gisting, requiring precision, cultural insight, and the ability to convey meaning, intent, tone, and relevant cultural context. An active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required and must be fully adjudicated before work begins. The linguist translates written materials between Chinese and English, provides consecutive and, when required, simultaneous interpretation, transcribes audio, video, and internet-based content, and prepares English-language reports from foreign-language source materials. The role also involves identifying key facts and intelligence-relevant details, summarizing large volumes of material, and using research tools and reference materials to support high-quality deliverables. Selected candidates may support meetings, interviews, briefings, and operational activities.
Requirements
- Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph, 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.
- At least 3 years of recent professional experience in translation, interpretation, transcription, or a combination of these disciplines.
- Professional interpretation skills.
- Ability to perform 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.
- Pass the English language assessment.
- Achieve a Senior or Expert rating on the target-language proficiency assessment.
- Demonstrate professional-level interpretation skills between English and the target language.
- Meet any additional customer-specific language testing requirements, as applicable.
Nice To Haves
- Degree in Translation, Interpretation, Linguistics, or related Language Studies.
- Experience supporting contingency operations as a deployed linguist.
- Familiarity with the U.S. Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, military operations, or law enforcement environments.
- Experience providing consecutive and simultaneous interpretation in professional settings.
- Ability to brief customers effectively, present information clearly, and communicate findings to diverse stakeholders.
- Experience with Human Language Technology (HLT) tools and applications.
Responsibilities
- Translate written materials from Chinese into English and from English into Chinese, preserving meaning, intent, tone, and cultural nuances.
- Apply appropriate terminology and language usage based on the subject matter and target audience, including geopolitical, regional, ethnic, and cultural references.
- Provide consecutive interpretation between English and Chinese, and simultaneous interpretation when required by mission needs.
- Support meetings, interviews, briefings, and operational activities requiring interpretation services.
- Transcribe audio, video, and internet-based content accurately.
- Produce English-language reports derived from foreign-language source materials.
- Identify and summarize key facts, themes, and critical information.
- Extract relevant intelligence and operationally significant details from large volumes of material.
- Use research tools and reference materials to support high-quality linguistic deliverables.
- Successfully complete required English, target-language proficiency, interpretation, and any applicable customer-specific language assessments.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
