Translator I

Panasonic • De Soto, KS

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Join us at Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, where we’re building the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your career while contributing to the future of electric vehicles. As part of our team, you’ll help push the limits of battery technology, enhancing performance and efficiency in sustainable transportation. Our state-of-the-art facility, just outside the Kansas City Metro, will be a hub for innovation in green energy solutions. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to contribute to the electric vehicle revolution, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team. Join us and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation.

The Translator I is responsible for providing accurate and timely translation and interpretation services to support business operations. This role translates technical and non-technical materials, facilitates communication between Japanese and English-speaking stakeholders, and ensures documents meet company quality and style standards. The position also supports production and construction teams through effective communication, terminology management, and collaboration to ensure smooth project execution.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English (reading, writing, and speaking)
• Strong foundational understanding of translation principles (accuracy, tone, and context)
• Business-level fluency in Japanese and English with strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to translate clearly and accurately in both directions (Japanese ↔ English)
• Exposure to interpretation in academic, internship, or professional settings
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines
• Willingness to work outside standard hours as needed to support business demands and global teams
• Ability to work in a construction or manufacturing environment and use required PPE
• Alignment to Panasonic’s seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude)

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Japanese, Linguistics, Translation, or a related field
• Technical coursework or exposure to manufacturing, engineering, or industrial environments
• 2+ years of translation experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level roles in manufacturing environments
• Experience or exposure to manufacturing, automotive, electronics, or industrial environments
• Basic understanding of technical or production terminology
• Familiarity with translation tools (e.g., CAT tools, translation memory systems) is a plus
• Experience supporting cross-functional teams or projects

Responsibilities

• Translate written materials including policies, procedures, manuals, reports, presentations, proposals, and contracts between Japanese and English
• Provide real-time interpretation for meetings, conference calls, and daily communications between Japanese expatriates and domestic staff
• Compose and translate emails, reports, and other administrative documentation
• Maintain translation accuracy, consistency, and adherence to company terminology and style guides
• Utilize translation memory tools and maintain terminology databases
• Conduct terminology and linguistic research to improve translation consistency and quality
• Identify opportunities to improve translation workflows, tools, and processes
• Ensure timely turnaround of translations while maintaining a high level of accuracy
• Continuously enhance language proficiency and technical knowledge related to manufacturing environments
• Provide language support and clarification to team members as needed
• Assist in onboarding or supporting team members with communication needs involving bilingual materials
• Remain flexible in supporting both primary translation duties and secondary operational needs
• Collaborate closely with production, construction, and engineering teams to support communication needs
• Facilitate effective communication across departments and between global stakeholders
• Support project teams to ensure alignment, timely deliverables, and clear understanding of requirements
• Ensure all translated materials meet company quality, accuracy, and compliance standards
• Adhere to company safety protocols, including the use of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in designated areas
• Demonstrate attention to detail and strong organizational skills to support production and engineering quality standards
• Comply with all workplace policies, including confidentiality and data integrity requirements

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, prescription plans
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
• Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance
• 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting
• Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave
• Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service
• Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources
• High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus
• Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED