Senior Japanese Linguist

Welo Global; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Welocalize is seeking a seasoned Japanese localization expert with native fluency to manage translation, editing, and delivery across accounts. You will coordinate with freelancers and teams, maintain glossaries and style guides, and lead linguists on key projects to ensure high-quality outputs.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in translation/localization, strong familiarity with CAT tools (XTM, SDL Studio), and experience in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.

Qualifications

• University degree in Translation/Applied Languages/Linguistic Studies or equivalent
• 2 years translation experience if degree is in another field; or 5 years translation experience

Responsibilities

• Perform copy-edit tasks on assigned projects or accounts
• Perform on-demand translation tasks
• Lead linguist on assigned accounts
• Own deliveries translated internally or by external partners into Japanese
• Prepare and maintain language materials (glossaries, style guides)
• Coordinate with freelancers, agencies and internal linguists
• Test and qualify new freelancers and vendors
• Train internal linguists and freelancers as needed
• Interact with clients on linguistic matters
• Propose process improvements and meet KPIs

Skills

Fluent English

Japanese fluency

8+ years translation experience

5+ years review experience

CAT tools proficiency

JIRA experience

Windows & Office

Education

Translation degree or equivalent

Tools

XTM

SDL Studio

Job description

About Welocalize

Welocalize, a the company brand, serves localization teams through AI-enabled multilingual content solutions that enable enterprises to operate and scale globally. Welocalize combines AI, automation, and human expertise to support enterprises in more than 300 languages, enabling accurate, culturally aligned, and compliant multilingual content at scale.

Welocalize’s Opal Platform comprises patented technology designed to automate multilingual content and improve workflow performance for enterprises. Opal functions as an agentic system that orchestrates AI, automation, and human expertise to coordinate content workflows across the lifecycle, improving speed, scalability, and operational control for global enterprises. These solutions operate within a secure and compliant environment supported by seven ISO certifications. Welocalize is headquartered in New York with offices worldwide. welocalize.com

Job Responsibilities:

This role involves managing translation and copy-editing tasks, ensuring high-quality linguistic deliverables for assigned projects or accounts. Responsibilities include coordinating with freelancers and agencies, maintaining language resources, resolving terminology queries, and collaborating with clients and internal teams to enhance workflow efficiency. The position also supports broader team efforts through editing, error arbitration, and active participation in quality initiatives. Job Reference: #LI-JC1

The following is a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities and areas of ownership for this role:

• Performing copy-edit tasks on assigned projects or accounts
• Performing on-demand translation tasks
• Performing lead linguist role on assigned accounts
• Taking ownership of deliveries that were translated internally or by external partners for one or more accounts into Japanese language
• Preparing, managing and maintaining the language materials (including glossaries, Style Guides, work instruction) up to the quality standards and up to date as required by the account or project
• Managing project-related queries
• Ensuring good interaction among team members and resolving questions on terminology and language matters
• Coordinating with freelancers, agencies and internal linguists on assigned projects or accounts
• Testing and qualifying new freelancers and vendors as required
• Developing and training of internal linguists/new and existing freelancers according to the accounts’ and Welocalize’s needs
• Interacting with clients on linguistic matters as required
• Participating in the development of new and improved working processes. Propose process improvements.
• Meet or exceed the KPIs in terms of productivity, on time delivery, quality
• Achieving the goals set by the team manager

Additional Job Details:

REQUIREMENTS

Education Level

University degree in Translation/Applied Languages/Linguistic Studies or equivalent combination of education and experience (University degree in other fields plus 2 years of full time experience in translation; OR 5 years of full time professional experience in translating)

Experience and Skills

• Fluent in English, both written and spoken
• Native fluency in Japanese language
• 8+ years of relevant experience in translation/localization/editing or content writing
• 5+ years of review experience
• Thorough understanding of the localization process
• Excellent knowledge of terminology used various subject matters
• Subject-matter expert within company for assigned content specialities, service lines and processes
• Excellent user experience of standard CAT tools, e.g. XTM, SDL Studio and issue tracking and query management tools, e.g. JIRA
• Ability to learn new localization tools and applications quickly
• Excellent user experience of standard software, such as Windows and Office applications
• Ability to give clear, concise and constructive feedback
• Ability to coordinate internal and external translators
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Ability and willingness to train/teach others and pass on knowledge.
• Ability to work with tight deadlines
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, linguists
• Ability, willingness and experience in communicating with customers at various levels
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Ability to work in a virtual team

CompensationAdditional Information