Japanese Translator

Start/End Dates: 10/1/2026 - 12/31/2027

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Japanese Translator LOCATION: Reno, NVASSIGNMENT LENGTH: 12 months (Possible conversion based on performance)PLACEMENT TYPE: ContractSCHEDULE: Work in the factory 5 days a weekWORK HOURS: 8am – 5pm PT (subject to change based on business need)HOURS PER WEEK: 40 hours; no overtime expectedCERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT: Interpreting or translation certificate, or membership to an interpreting or translation association preferred, but not required.EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:SENIOR TRANSLATOREducation:Required: High School Diploma or GED. Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in language, linguistics, education, translation/ interpretation, engineering field or equivalent experience and/or technical degree with a focus on manufacturing or equivalent education and experience.Experience:Required: 2+ years interpreting experience (English - Japanese) in manufacturing industry, or similar interpreting experience in some of the following fields: mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering, and/or maintenance and repair.Preferred: Has been the lead interpreter on projects lasting more than 2 weeks, working with multiple interpreters.*looking for a technical interpreter not just a translator (manufacturing and engineering technical interpretation experience) *managing highly technical documents. Chemical documents, mechanical field experience is also preferred *secondary preference is IT and medical field interpretation.PLEASE NOTE: For the hired contractor, client is offering a long-term hotel stay with a kitchen for the full duration of the contract. Daily shuttle service between the hotel and the factory will also be provided. The business is willing to cover reasonable round-trip economy airfare or mileage/gas reimbursement for contractors at the beginning and end of the contract.Job Summary:The Senior Translator position requires exceptional proficiency in spoken and written Japanese and English. The role performs simultaneous and consecutive interpreting, as well as document translations in both languages. The position supports and facilitates effective communication between Japanese and local personnel on a variety of technical and non-technical subjects in person, online meetings, and in written format. To be successful in this role, you will not only demonstrate native-level language skills in both languages with deep understanding of Japan and U.S. cultures, but describe and translate highly technical words that are particularly unique to our business. In addition, you will play a crucial role in training and mentoring other translators fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.Essential Duties:

• Interprets in a variety of settings including onsite, 1 on 1, group settings and online meetings. These meetings are often conducted for the executives and customers which require upmost accuracy in translation.
• Understands and translates using relevant terminology in both languages to effectively interpret between parties.
• Maintains confidentiality of the meeting agenda and sensitive topics.
• Shares a variety of technical and non-technical terminologies in English and Japanese with fellow translators of PECNA.
• Helps guide and train other translators of the team.
• Develops training material for new translators and leads by example.
• Supports the translator supervisor in staff coordination when business needs arise.
• Uses software applications on a laptop and/or a smartphone to communicate promptly with coworkers in both English and Japanese.
• Completes relevant training when assigned.
• Assists leadership in planning, scheduling, training, improvement activities, presenting, equipment/software research, and other related tasks.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed to support Japanese nationals within the organization.The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Qualifications

Requirements - Required and/or PreferredEducation:

• Basic/Required: High School Diploma or GED.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in language, linguistics, education, translation/ interpretation, engineering field or equivalent experience and/or technical degree with a focus on manufacturing or equivalent education and experience.Essential Qualifications:
• Bilingual or a native and near-native speaker of Japanese and English and has a minimum level of ILR Level 4+ proficiency (Full professional proficiency Plus) in a non-native language (Japanese or English).
• 2+ years interpreting experience in manufacturing industry, or similar interpreting experience in some of the following fields: mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering, and/or maintenance and repair.
• Has in-depth knowledge on all relevant production processes, equipment, and internal business processes to interpret effectively between Japanese nationals and local personnel on a variety of technical and non-technical subjects.
• Ability to accurately capture and translate important nuances with the understanding of any cross-cultural differences.
• Being exceptional communicator - must be able to maintain active communication with management and employees of within the organization.
• Capable of interpreting in all modes: consecutive, liaison, chuchotage and simultaneous in front of group.
• Demonstrate a professional demeanor and maintain impartiality between parties at all times.
• Computer skills and experience with applications in the Microsoft Suite.
• Being familiar with commonly used remote interpreting software and simultaneous interpreting devices.
• Must be punctual, attentive, people-oriented and a team player.

Preferred Qualifications

• Has lived and studied and/or worked professionally in both Japan and the U.S. (or another English-speaking country) for more than 5 years, respectively.
• Has been the lead interpreter on projects lasting more than 2 weeks, working with multiple interpreters.
• Has knowledge on the lean manufacturing/TPS/Six sigma
• 2+ years translation experience using CAT tools and other document software.
• Technologically savvy in terms of devices, software, and audio equipment for interpretation use.Preferred License(s):
• NonePreferred Certification(s):
• Interpreting or translation certificate, or membership to an interpreting or translation association