Senior Language Specialist/Linguist

Senior Language Specialist/Linguist

Contract: 12 months (with potential extension based on performance)

Client: A leading multinational telecommunications company (name disclosed at interview)

Overview:

The Senior Language Specialist ensures linguistic quality, cultural adaptations, and consistency across all localized content. This role combines linguistic expertise with strong localization knowledge to deliver high-quality localized content that resonate with target audiences. You will perform in-depth linguistic analysis, develop and maintain glossaries and style guides, collaborate with external vendors and cross-functional localization teams to deliver high-quality global experiences.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, update, and manage style guides, glossaries, and translation memories.
• Collaborate closely with localization engineers, PMs, UI/UX, and vendors to resolve linguistic issues and advise on language-specific constraints.
• Interface with Translation and Quality Assurance vendors aiming for timely and high-quality deliverables.
• Oversees complex linguistic projects, ensuring high-quality results that meet specific standards.
• Perform linguistic reviews, quality checks, and validation of localized content.
• Support consistency, tone, and cultural accuracy across all content types.
• Ensure consistent terminology across all localized content.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and provides guidance on challenging projects or linguistic decisions.
• Provide clear linguistic feedback and guidance to external vendors and internal teams.
• Documentation of localization processes to ensure clarity and scalability across global operations.
• Conduct training sessions for Translation and Quality Assurance vendors to streamline linguistic requirements.
• Develop and implement linguistic quality metrics.
• Organize business review meetings with Translation and Quality Assurance vendors to continuous improvement of localization processes and linguistic standard

Requirements:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Linguistics, Translation, Localization, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in translation, localization, or linguistic QA.
• Native or near-native fluency in at least one target language with excellent English skills.
• Strong command of CAT tools, workflows and localization platforms (XTM, Trados, memoQ, Smartling, etc.).
• Experience with terminology management, linguistic QA tools, and translation workflows.
• Strong understanding of cultural adaptation and regional language nuances.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, high attention to detail, and ability to juggle multiple projects.
• Familiarity with software development processes and internationalization.

Tech Stack:

• CAT/TMS/Terminology Management: XTM, Trados, memoQ, Smartling, or similar.
• QA Tools: Linguistic QA platforms, terminology management systems.
• File Types: Common localization formats (XML, JSON, XLIFF, etc.), Microsoft 365 suite.
• Project Tools: Jira, Smartsheet.
• Methods: Agile/Scrum, Localization best practices.
• Collaboration: Working with engineers, PMs, and vendor teams in fast-paced environments.
• Plus: Experience in telecom, consumer tech, or large-scale enterprise localization.