Japanese Interpreter

Aston Carter•Sparks, NV

2d•$43 - $46•Onsite

About The Position

The Japanese Interpreter / Translator Level 3 provides advanced Japanese-English interpretation and translation support in a technical manufacturing and engineering environment. The role serves as a communication bridge for executives, technical teams, and business stakeholders across mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering, as well as maintenance operations. It combines interpreting and translating with mentoring junior translators, developing training materials, and helping coordinate team activities. The role requires accurate, consistent, and culturally sensitive communication, particularly in executive-level and customer-facing settings, and contributes to advanced manufacturing projects, including battery initiatives. This is a full-time, onsite contract-to-hire role based in Sparks, Nevada, with typical hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The interpreter works within a collaborative translation and interpretation team of approximately 19 people and regularly interacts with engineering, maintenance, and operations personnel. Daily tools include Microsoft Office, remote interpreting platforms, interpretation equipment, and computer-aided translation tools. For the duration of the contract, a long-term hotel stay with a kitchen and daily shuttle service between the hotel and factory are provided. Reasonable round-trip economy airfare or mileage and gas reimbursement may be covered at the beginning and end of the contract. Relocation assistance may be available if an individual converts to full-time employment; conversion opportunities are limited. The pay range is $43.27–$45.67 per hour. Eligible benefits for the temporary role may include medical, dental, and vision coverage; critical illness, accident, and hospital coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan; life insurance; short- and long-term disability; a Health Spending Account; transportation benefits; an Employee Assistance Program; and time off or leave.

Requirements

Native-level proficiency in Japanese and English, with ILR Level 4 or higher proficiency in the non-native language.
Multiple years of interpretation experience in manufacturing or other technical environments.
Experience supporting mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering organizations, or maintenance organizations.
Ability to perform consecutive, liaison, chuchotage (whisper), and simultaneous interpretation.
Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment, and operational terminology.
Ability to accurately communicate technical information and cultural nuances between stakeholders.
Experience supporting executive-level and customer-facing meetings where interpretation accuracy is critical.
Experience mentoring, training, or leading other translators.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Familiarity with interpretation software, remote interpreting platforms, and interpretation equipment.
Strong communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with diverse stakeholders.
Demonstrated professionalism, confidentiality, and team orientation.

Nice To Haves

Experience living, studying, or working extensively in both Japan and an English-speaking country.
Experience living and working in both Japan and the United States.
Lead interpreter experience on large-scale or long-term projects.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Toyota Production System (TPS), or Six Sigma methodologies.
Lean or Six Sigma experience, including familiarity with continuous improvement practices.
Five or more years of experience using computer-aided translation (CAT) tools.
Translation or interpretation certification and/or membership in a professional translation organization.
Strong interest in advanced manufacturing and battery-related projects.
Ability to adapt quickly and contribute with minimal ramp-up time in a fast-paced technical environment.

Responsibilities

Provide Japanese-English interpretation for meetings, presentations, and discussions involving executives, engineers, maintenance teams, and business stakeholders.
Perform consecutive, liaison, chuchotage (whisper), and simultaneous interpretation as appropriate.
Translate technical documents, presentations, emails, and other written materials related to manufacturing processes, equipment, and business operations.
Communicate technical terminology, operational details, and cultural nuances accurately between Japanese-speaking and English-speaking stakeholders.
Support executive-level and customer-facing meetings where interpretation accuracy is critical.
Use knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, and operational terminology to anticipate communication needs and clarify ambiguous content.
Mentor, train, and support junior translators through guidance, feedback, and best practices.
Help develop training materials, glossaries, and reference documents to improve consistency in terminology and communication standards.
Help coordinate, schedule, and prioritize interpreting and translation assignments to meet project and operational deadlines.
Use Microsoft Office and interpretation-related software and equipment to prepare, deliver, and document language work.
Maintain professionalism and confidentiality when handling sensitive business information and discussions.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams on advanced manufacturing projects, including advanced battery initiatives.
Serve as a lead or key interpreter on long-term or large-scale projects when required, maintaining quality and smooth communication throughout the project lifecycle.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage may be available to eligible temporary-role employees.
Critical illness, accident, and hospital coverage may be available to eligible temporary-role employees.
401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions may be available to eligible temporary-role employees.
Voluntary life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents may be available to eligible temporary-role employees.
Short- and long-term disability coverage may be available to eligible temporary-role employees.
Health Spending Account (HSA) may be available to eligible temporary-role employees.
Transportation benefits may be available to eligible temporary-role employees.
Employee Assistance Program may be available to eligible temporary-role employees.
Time off or leave, such as PTO, vacation, or sick leave, may be available to eligible temporary-role employees.
Long-term hotel stay with a kitchen and daily shuttle service between the hotel and factory are provided during the contract.
Reasonable round-trip economy airfare or mileage and gas reimbursement may be covered at the start and end of the contract.
Relocation assistance may be available upon conversion to full-time employment.