Technical Localization Specialist (NTD)

Nintendo•Redmond, WA

2h•$82,000 - $131,200•Onsite

About The Position

Nintendo Technology Development (NTD) is seeking a Technical Localization Specialist to perform localization and related tasks of moderate scope and complexity. This role will serve as a conduit for communication between Nintendo Co., Ltd. (NCL) and engineering teams within NTD, overcoming linguistic barriers between globally dispersed engineering teams working on platform development. The specialist will translate documentation between Japanese and English, provide interpretation in meetings, drive initiatives for translation quality and process improvements, and contribute to localization program road maps. This role requires a deep understanding of technical subject matter, excellent communication skills in both Japanese and English, and familiarity with various localization tools and technologies.

Requirements

Two to six years of translation experience.
General knowledge of translation management systems, such as memoQ or similar.
Familiarity with at least one popular programming language, such as Python, JavaScript, C#, or similar.
Familiarity with the use of regular expressions in the context of localization.
Familiarity with translation-related technologies, such as machine translation and generative AI, and the industry trends related to them.
Familiarity with version-control systems, such as Git.
Solid understanding of tagged file formats, such as XML and HTML.
Ability to communicate complex and technical information fluently in Japanese and English.
Excellent verbal and written translation skills, with acute attention to detail.
Understanding of technical subject matter on a broad range of computing technologies.
Excellent organizational skills.
Must fluently read, write, and speak Japanese and English, including jargon, slang, and idioms. Native speaker of Japanese preferred.
Understanding of cultural and linguistic issues and ability to make recommendations regarding content.
Familiarity with engineering and software development practices (e.g., the software development life cycle and related areas of knowledge), particularly as they relate to video game and platform development.
Familiarity with project management practices (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Kanban, sprint retrospectives).
Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Communications, English, Japanese, or a suitably related field.
Full professional proficiency (ILR Level 4 or higher) in both Japanese and English.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be considered. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a liaison between international offices is a plus.
Secondary skills in any of the following areas are highly desirable: technical writing, visual design, project management.
For native speakers of English, Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1 certification or equivalent capability is preferred.
For native speakers of Japanese, Eiken Pre-1 certification or equivalent is preferred.
For native speakers of other languages, equivalent language skill assessments (such as a TOEFL iBT score of 80) are preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a conduit for communication between Nintendo Co., Ltd. (NCL) and engineering teams within Nintendo Technology Development (NTD).
Translate documentation between Japanese and English pertaining to general and technical subjects, with consideration for cultural differences.
Provide interpretation in meetings between NTD and NCL.
Drive initiatives related to translation quality and process improvements.
Identify issues in localization processes and propose solutions.
Contribute to localization program road maps, project plans, and overall program health.
Train and mentor others in translation and proofing procedures.
Coordinate workload and interpreting schedules with the localization staff, negotiating deliverables and deadlines as necessary.
Coordinate with members of NCL, its subsidiaries, and external partners.
May require frequent travel to Japan as well as evening work in the Pacific Time Zone.
Up to 10% travel; domestic and international.