Freelance Localization Project Manager Jobs in California

Imagine what you could do here! The people here at Apple don't just create products - they build the kind of wonder that's revolutionized entire industries. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. At Apple, inclusion is a shared responsibility, and we work together to foster a culture where everyone belongs and is inspired to do their best work.
Apple's worldwide Retail Engagement, Marketing and Merchandising (REMM) team creates and delivers programs, campaigns, initiatives, and experiences that help Apple Retail's customers and teams discover, buy, and go further with Apple products and services. These efforts increase awareness, drive conversion, and grow affinity for Apple.
In this role, you'll be responsible for leading the design, implementation and ongoing refinement of an AI-powered language technology stack, future thinking the localization production ecosystem for dynamic content generation and global immediacy. The technology ecosystem will be designed for precision and scale, seamlessly integrating across content creation, localization orchestration workflows and language assets and deployment environments.
You will work hands-on with cross-functional partners to analyze existing workflows, identify opportunities for automation and modernization, and help define how emerging language technologies (MT, LLMs, post-editing frameworks, quality evaluation methods) can be effectively integrated into orchestration platforms and Apple Retail content systems.
Description
This role leads the localization technology strategy and platform ecosystem supporting Apple's worldwide Retail and People organizations. You will own the architecture, implementation, and continuous improvement of scalable localization workflows - integrating translation management, machine translation, AI services, and enterprise content systems. Working across a broad set of cross-functional partners, you will drive technology modernization, operational excellence, and global readiness across a complex, high-impact and dynamic content landscape.
Minimum Qualifications
15+ years of progressive experience in localization technology, language engineering, or enterprise content platforms within global consumer technology or high-profile consumer brands, with 10+ years in a people leadership role managing and mentoring teams
Demonstrated track record of leading multi-million dollar enterprise localization platform implementations end-to-end - including TMS selection, RFP processes, vendor management, and global deployment - with hands-on experience across TMS, CAT tools, MT/AI-enabled workflows, APIs, and enterprise SaaS platforms
Proven experience connecting CMS platforms (e.g., Adobe Experience Manager) to translation management systems and MT providers through APIs and orchestration layers, with a history of designing scalable, automated content workflows that reduce manual handling
Verifiable history of delivering localization, translation management, or enterprise-level tools - evidenced by named products, platforms, or tools delivered - including authoring business requirements, metrics, and user stories for engineering and UI/UX teams
Experience leading large cross-functional programs partnering with engineering, product, legal, procurement, and security, with a track record of guiding complex, multi-phase technology projects across the full development lifecycle
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Linguistics, Localization, or a related technical discipline
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Localization, or related field.
Experience managing global vendors and associated budgets
Passion for innovation and emerging AI technologies that transform global content delivery, localization quality, and operational efficiency.
Language skills in one or more languages other than English, with a deep understanding of the linguistic challenges posed by different language families
Ability to navigate and incorporate cultural nuances into machine translation models, ensuring translations resonate authentically with diverse global audiences