Linguist

Description

Leidos National Security Sector (NSS) is seeking a highly experienced and skilled mission-driven Linguist to support APOLLO/OPIAS activities. This role will enhance operational reach, situational awareness, and partner-nation collaboration by enabling accurate and contextually appropriate communication across all phases of planning and execution as part of Operations in the Information Environment (OIE). In additional to providing expert language support and culturally attuned interpretation and translation services, the ideal candidate will have operational literacy, cultural nuance, and the ability to function as a trusted bridge between U.S. forces and local, partner, or adversary populations. This position is on a future contract pending award announcement.

Possible locations for this position are as follows:

• AFRICOM

• CENTCOM

• SOUTHCOM

• EUCOM

• INDOPACOM

• NORTHCOM

Possible locations for this position are as follows:

• MacDill (Tampa, FL)

• Al Udeid (Qatar)

• Fort Meade (Maryland)

• Northcom (Colorado Springs, CO)

• Camp Humphreys (Korea)

• Arifjan (Kuwait)

• Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (Hawaii)

• Fort Eisenhower (Georgia)

• Offutt AFB (Omaha, NE)

• Naval Operating Base Norfolk (Virginia)

• Southcom (Doral, FL)

• JB San Antonio (Texas)

• Stuttgart (Germany)

• Vicenza (Italy)

• Tyndall AFB (Florida)

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide linguistic support for CENTCOM exercises, activities, and operations.

• Translate and interpret foreign language materials, including digital media, broadcasts, social media content, and documents relevant to operations in the information environment.

• Provide cultural context analysis to ensure accurate understanding of language tone, idioms, and symbolism used in target regions or among specific audiences.

• Support Information Forces and info activities such as MISO, PSYOP, and Public Affairs by translating audience-facing products and advising on cultural resonance.

• Conduct open-source collection and language-enabled research in support of audience analysis, sentiment assessments, and adversary influence campaigns.

• Support document and media exploitation (DOMEX), extracting mission-relevant insights from recovered or publicly available foreign-language materials.

• Collaborate with analysts, planners, and operators to identify linguistic or cultural gaps in plans, products, and messaging strategies.

• Assist in monitoring foreign media ecosystems, identifying themes, narratives, and disinformation relevant to U.S. operations or interests.

• Contribute to adversary behavior assessments by analyzing foreign-language statements, publications, and regional discourse in the Information Environment..

Basic Qualifications:

• Native or near-native fluency in both English and at least one target languages

• Must possess a Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) score of 4/4 (reading and listening), or equivalent as determined by government standards

• 4+ years of experience supporting DoD, IC, or interagency missions in translation, interpretation, or language-enabled analysis in at least one of the target languages

• Demonstrated experience supporting operations in the information environment, irregular warfare, or influence-focused operations

• Familiarity with MISO, PSYOP, civil affairs, or public diplomacy missions, and how language shapes audience engagement

• Working knowledge of regional (CENTCOM) media ecosystems, disinformation trends, and foreign adversary messaging practices

• Linguists may be required to complete an annual evaluation and retesting process to determine eligibility for possible extension of services required

• Active TS/SCI clearance required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Linguistics, Area Studies, International Relations, or Cultural Anthropology

• Experience supporting CENTCOM or other Theater Special Operations Commands

• Experience working with audience analysis teams, narrative analysis, or strategic communication planners

• Experience with DOMEX or foreign media exploitation tools and tradecraft

• Familiarity with OSINT platforms and social media exploitation tools

EIO2024

Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.

We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We don’t wear capes (they’re a safety hazard), but we do solve high-stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for “how it’s always been done.”

Original Posting:

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:

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.