Japanese Language Industrial Interpreter & Documentation Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

A day in this role

You start your morning in a cross-functional huddle, switching seamlessly between Japanese and English as production leaders outline priorities. Before lunch, you guide a plant tour for visiting coordinators, interpreting questions on safety and equipment. Your afternoon is focused time: translating a set of procedures, refining bilingual correspondence, and compiling a concise report that helps managers make decisions. At any point, you may be called to support Production or Maintenance teams—wherever communication clarity is most critical.

Role overview

As a bilingual bridge across departments, you enable accurate, professional Japanese–English interpretation and translation that keeps our manufacturing operations aligned, safe, and moving forward. Based on business needs, assignments may align to Production or Maintenance.

Core deliverables

• Provide real-time interpretation during meetings, conference calls, training sessions, plant tours, and routine business interactions.
• Translate documents, reports, presentations, procedures, and correspondence with precision and professionalism.
• Facilitate communication among Japanese coordinators, managers, and team members to ensure shared understanding and collaboration.
• Compile information, prepare summaries, and create reports as requested.
• Draft, edit, and maintain clear business correspondence in both Japanese and English.
• Safeguard confidential information and sensitive business materials.
• Deliver dedicated interpretation and translation support to Production and/or Maintenance activities.
• Assist with special projects and general administrative tasks as needed.
• Adhere to company safety, environmental, and operational policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Fluent in Japanese and English, with outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal abilities with solid organization and time management.
• Comfort managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a professional demeanor.
• Thrives both independently and in team environments.
• Prior professional interpretation/translation experience preferred.

Education & experience

• Associate degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Background in translation, interpretation, administration, or related fields preferred.
• Manufacturing environment experience preferred.

Technical skills

• Microsoft Office proficiency (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Strong document preparation, editing, and report-writing capabilities.

Work environment

• Manufacturing setting with regular interaction alongside production and maintenance teams.
• Exposure to variable temperatures, including hot conditions.
• Ability to work safely around manufacturing equipment while following all safety requirements.