Localization Language Lead - German

2K; Madrid; Presencial; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

2K is seeking a Localization Language Lead for German to manage the linguistic direction and execution strategy for all German content across its game portfolio. In this individual contributor role, you'll oversee the localization strategy, ensuring quality meets player expectations, while reviewing and editing in-game text across various 2K titles.

Ideal candidates will have professional localization experience, native fluency in German, and the ability to work independently on complex language projects. Join us to shape the player experience in German-speaking markets.

Formación

• Professional experience in games, tech, or entertainment.
• Mastery of tone, grammar, and regional nuance in German.
• Ability to work independently on complex language projects.
• Comfortable mentoring junior linguists and freelance vendors.

Responsabilidades

• Own localization strategy and final sign-off for German content.
• Review and edit localized content for tone and cultural relevance.
• Develop and enforce glossaries and style guides for the German market.
• Collaborate with teams to guide language decisions.

Conocimientos

Professional localization experience

Native fluency in German

Advanced English fluency

Strong working knowledge of platform-holder guidelines

Familiarity with localization tools

Deep understanding of German culture

Educación

Bachelor's degree in translation, linguistics, media or related field

Herramientas

CAT tools

JIRA

CMS

Descripción del empleo

TITLE: Localization Language Lead German

Who We Are

At 2K, we create some of the most iconic and culture-shaping video games in entertainment, including NBA® 2K, one of the top-selling franchises in the world, and legendary titles like BioShock®, Borderlands®, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization®, and XCOM®, as well as fan favorites WWE® 2K, TopSpin®, and PGA TOUR® 2K. We build unforgettable experiences by pushing the boundaries of creativity, authenticity and innovation across every genre.

Our portfolio is brought to life by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, 31st Union, Cloud Chamber, Gearbox, HB Studios, and 2K SportsLab create world-class experiences across platforms.

But what truly powers 2K is our people.

We believe the best ideas come from teams that feel empowered, supported, and inspired. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace where people are encouraged to come as they are and do their best work.

What We Need

As part of our Global Loc 2.0 evolution, 2K is deepening its investment in language-specific leadership to improve the voice, cultural authenticity, and overall quality of our localized content. We are seeking a Game Localization Lead to own the linguistic direction and execution strategy for all German content across 2K’s game portfolio.

This is an individual contributor role within the Content Localization (CLOC) team. You’ll serve as the key German language authority, working with minimal supervision across complex projects. You’ll apply deep linguistic and cultural expertise while partnering with developers, producers, QA, and publishing stakeholders to ensure language quality meets player expectations and platform-holder standards.

What You’ll Do

• Own the localization strategy, quality bar, and final sign-off for German content across all 2K titles
• Review and edit localized content (in-game text, UI, scripts, VO) for tone, clarity, fluency, and cultural relevance
• Develop, maintain, and enforce glossaries, style guides, and cultural content policies for the German market
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—localization producers, embedded LQA, marketing, publishing, and dev to guide language decisions and alignment
• Serve as the main linguistic escalation point for German-related bugs, tone disputes, or QA challenges
• Supervise and provide feedback to entry- and mid-level linguists or vendors working on German content
• Consult with game studios and content owners on German age rating requirements, terminology usage, and visual/language compliance
• Lead VO casting, script review, and direct creative sessions during German voiceover production
• Regularly review in-development and near-final builds to audit for tone, consistency, and cultural resonance
• Recommend and help implement process improvements that improve quality, reduce error rates, or optimize turnaround time for German localization
• Participate in Global Loc 2.0 initiatives, working with senior leadership to shape evolving localization standards, practices, and tooling

What Will Make You A Great Fit

• Professional localization experience in games, tech, or entertainment
• Native fluency in German, with demonstrated mastery of tone, grammar, and regional nuance
• Advanced English fluency (written and spoken); capable of representing language decisions across global teams
• Proven ability to work independently on complex language projects, exercising judgment and creativity in ambiguous or conflicting situations
• Strong working knowledge of platform-holder guidelines, naming conventions, and brand alignment principles
• Comfortable overseeing or mentoring junior linguists and freelance vendors
• Familiarity with localization tools (e.g., CAT tools, translation memory systems, XLOC, JIRA, CMS)
• Deep understanding of German culture, media, and the German-speaking gaming audience
• Experience with VO scripting, dubbing production, and linguistic performance direction is a plus
• Bachelor's degree in translation, linguistics, media, or related field preferred

Why Join Us?

As a Game Localization Lead for German, you will directly shape how our players in Germany and other German-speaking regions experience our games. You’ll own language strategy, guide voice and tone across titles, and play a key role in 2K’s broader effort to deliver best-in-class localized content through a modern, embedded, and scalable localization model.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.