Back to jobs

Sr. Localization Operations Specialist

United States

Overview

Smartling is an AI-native translation platform that's redefining how the world's biggest brands go global - ranked #3 on Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies list. We're growing rapidly at scale and are backed by Battery Ventures, a global technology-focused investment firm. While most companies are still figuring out how to use AI, we've spent years building it into the core of our platform - and we're just getting started.

As a Senior Localization Operations Specialist on Smartling's Managed Services team, you'll own complex, larger-scale customer accounts and serve as an operational advisor to both clients and junior team members. This role blends hands-on execution with strategic thinking - you'll optimize workflows, lead escalation resolution, and help clients mature their localization programs, all while mentoring the next generation of Loc Ops Specialists. We are looking for a hire based on the US East Coast at this time. 

You Will

  • Own complex or high-volume customer accounts end-to-end - from process design through delivery and retrospective.
  • Design and optimize localization processes to improve efficiency, scalability, and quality across diverse client accounts and operational environments.
  • Lead escalation resolution with minimal oversight, driving issues to closure while maintaining clear, proactive communication with clients throughout the resolution process.
  • Partner with customers and cross-functional teams to improve localization processes and support the scaling of their programs effectively.
  • Proactively identify operational risks - including volume spikes and tooling gaps - and mitigate them before they impact delivery or quality.
  • Mentor junior Localization Coordinators and Operations Specialists on process design, platform usage, and execution best practices.

You Have

  • 3-5 years of experience in localization project management or operations, including ownership of complex accounts.
  • Deep hands-on experience with Smartling or comparable enterprise translation management systems (TMS).
  • Demonstrated ability to design, optimize, and govern localization processes at scale across complex, multi-account environments.
  • Strong track record of managing escalations and navigating challenging customer conversations, providing advisory support, education, and guidance to drive successful resolution.
  • Experience mentoring or coaching junior Localization Coordinators and Operations Specialists, with the ability to clearly explain complex concepts and provide effective training in a localization or operations context.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience engaging senior client stakeholders.
  • Solid understanding of localization industry trends, AI-enabled tooling, translation memory (TM) strategy, and localization frameworks.

Preferred but not required

  • Working knowledge of file engineering fundamentals, scripting languages, and localization engineering concepts, including file formats, encoding standards, and placeholder/tag management.
  • Experience supporting global, enterprise-tier clients with complex, multi-stream localization programs.
  • Fluency or working proficiency in a second language

You Are

  • Strategic. You think beyond immediate deliverables, considering how today’s decisions impact the client’s localization program at scale.
  • Resilient. Escalations and ambiguity don’t destabilize your approach; you stay grounded and focus on driving resolution.
  • Influential. You build trust across internal and external stakeholders through expertise, consistency, and dependable follow-through.
  • Analytical. You leverage available data, tools, and AI insights to identify trends and inform clear, actionable recommendations.
  • Mentorship-Minded. You actively invest time in developing less experienced team members, helping them build skills and grow their capabilities.

You Will Enjoy

  • Freedom 🏡- we are remote-first
  • Growth - an opportunity to learn and advance your career
  • Wealth 💰 - we offer a competitive salary and 401(k) + company match
  • Wellness - health insurance; free medical plan for you and your family
  • Balance - flexible PTO + 11 holidays; generous parental leave
  • Culture 🤝- an energetic, value-driven, and fun culture and team spirit
  • Bonus - employee referral program and Apple equipment

Smartling is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive global team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, beliefs, skills, and experiences.

We use E-Verify platform for work authorization verification.

*To work from home, you must have a strong internet connection, a quiet space, and a professional (distraction- and clutter-free) background.

 

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Smartling? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Smartling’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...