Pashto Linguist

Leidos is seeking highly qualified and experienced Pashto Linguist to support our National Security Programs. This role requires advanced linguistic capabilities and cultural knowledge to support a wide range of mission-critical activities.

Primary Responsibilities:

As a Pashto Linguist linguist, you will engage in the full range of language services - bringing expertise to translation, interpretation, transcription, summarization, and analysis” Or “Step into the role of a linguist where you’ll apply your skills across the entire spectrum of language services -from translating and interpreting to transcribing, summarizing, and analyzing complex content. Key duties include but not limited to:

Translation

• Accurately translate written materials in both electronic and hard-copy formats.

• Convey not only factual content but also nuanced meaning and implied context.

• Capture geopolitical, regional, ethnic, and cultural references effectively.

• Use terminology and expression consistent with subject matter norms in the target language.

Interpretation

• Provide accurate consecutive interpretation; occasional simultaneous interpretation may be required.

• Demonstrate understanding of one or more Korean regional dialects.

Transcription

• Review audio and internet-based materials.

• Transcribe with high levels of accuracy and fidelity to the original content.

• Produce clear, well-written English-language reports.

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.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet research tools is required.

• Experience with HLT (Human Language Technology), CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools, Language Learning Model (LLM) is highly desired.

Qualifications:

• Language Required: Pashto (fluent) and English (fluent)

• Education: Bachelor’s degree with 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.)

• Experience: Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional language-related experience in the field of translation, interpretation, and transcription.

• Must successfully complete a Leidos-administered language proficiency test or equivalent at the Primary level or higher within six months of hire.

Security Clearance:

TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required to begin work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience supporting contingency operations as a deployed linguist.

• Candidates must pass language proficiency testing.

• Familiarity with the U.S. Intelligence Community, military operations, or law enforcement environments.

• Additional language proficiency is strongly preferred.

• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats in English and Target Language.

Additional Information:

• Occasional Travel OCONUS may be required.

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:

July 13, 2026

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.