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Localization Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sierra

Localization Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

Partner with Product, Engineering, and Design teams to define and integrate localization requirements into the product development lifecycle * Monitor and support internal localization systems and ...

OpenAI

Software Engineer, Localization

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$185K - $300K/yr

About the Role As a Senior Software Engineer on the Internationalization team, you will build the systems that power localization and international product launches at OpenAI. You'll work on the ...

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How much do localization engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for localization engineer in California is $110,170.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,400.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Localization Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Localization Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, programming (such as Python, Java, or C++), and familiarity with globalization and localization processes. Experience with translation management systems (TMS), CAT tools, version control systems, and possibly certifications like SDL Trados or Agile methodologies is highly valued. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and cross-cultural communication skills help you excel when collaborating with global teams. These qualifications are critical for ensuring software and content are accurately adapted for diverse international markets while maintaining functionality and quality.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Localization Engineer?

As a Localization Engineer, your daily tasks often include analyzing and preparing files for translation, maintaining localization workflows, troubleshooting technical issues related to software internationalization, and collaborating with translators, developers, and project managers. You may also be responsible for automating processes to improve efficiency and ensuring that localized products meet quality standards in various languages. Regular communication with cross-functional teams is crucial to resolve technical challenges and align on project goals. This role is both technical and collaborative, offering variety and requiring continual learning as new tools and platforms emerge.

What does a Localization Engineer do?

A Localization Engineer is responsible for preparing, managing, and optimizing content for translation and localization. They work with tools like CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) software, scripts, and automation to ensure content is accurately adapted for different languages and regions. Their role includes file preparation, bug fixing, integration of localized assets, and troubleshooting technical issues in the localization process. They collaborate with linguists, project managers, and developers to streamline workflows and ensure a smooth translation process.

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Localization Program Manager

Localization Program Manager

Sierra

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

About us
At Sierra, we're creating a platform to help businesses build better, more human customer experiences with AI. We are primarily an in-person company based in San Francisco, with growing offices in Atlanta, New York, London, Paris, Madrid, Munich, Singapore, Tokyo, and Sydney.
We are guided by a set of values that are at the core of our actions and define our culture: Trust, Customer Obsession, Craftsmanship, Intensity, and Family. These values are the foundation of our work, and we are committed to upholding them in everything we do.
Our co-founders are Bret Taylor and Clay Bavor. Bret currently serves as Board Chair of OpenAI. Previously, he was co-CEO of Salesforce (which had acquired the company he founded, Quip) and CTO of Facebook. Bret was also one of Google's earliest product managers and co-creator of Google Maps. Before founding Sierra, Clay spent 18 years at Google, where he most recently led Google Labs. Earlier, he started and led Google's AR/VR effort, Project Starline, and Google Lens. Before that, Clay led the product and design teams for Google Workspace.
What you'll do
Sierra is rapidly expanding globally, and we're looking for a Localization Program Manager to build and scale our international localization efforts across every function - product, marketing, design, and sales. This is a high-impact, cross-functional role sitting at the intersection of operations, product, and go-to-market. You'll be accountable for our end-to-end localization program, acting as both a strategic advisor and a hands-on program manager as we enter new international markets and expand within existing ones.
Based in San Francisco
International Expansion Strategy
  • Contribute to the the country expansion playbook: build and document repeatable processes, and coordinate execution across product, marketing, design, sales, and operations
  • Partner with GTM Ops to align localization priorities with country expansion plans and commercial timelines

Program Management
  • Own and communicate the localization roadmap across all workstreams, keeping stakeholders aligned on priorities and timelines
  • Drive cross-functional program management across product UI, product documentation, website, sales assets, and digital campaigns
  • Manage our translation vendors and tooling - including turnaround expectations, quality standards, and delivery - while continuously evaluating whether our tooling is set up to scale with us
  • Establish and own a QA framework across all localization projects, setting quality standards and ensuring consistency across markets and asset types

Marketing & Web
  • Coordinate localization rollout priorities with the marketing team and web producer across website, content, sales assets, and digital/search ads
  • Design and champion best practices for digital localization in partnership with the web producer and translation vendor

Product & Design
  • Partner with Product, Engineering, and Design teams to define and integrate localization requirements into the product development lifecycle
  • Monitor and support internal localization systems and workflows, partnering with Engineering to troubleshoot issues, improve reliability, and maintain scalable translation operations
What you'll bring
  • 6+ years of experience in localization, international operations, or program/project management
  • Proven track record owning end-to-end localization programs across multiple languages and regions, ideally including building repeatable language or market launch processes
  • Strategic thinker who can zoom out to advise on market entry and zoom in to manage a process. You're equally comfortable in both modes
  • Experience working with TMS platforms (e.g., LILT, Phrase, Smartling) and a track record of owning and improving localization tooling and vendor relationships
  • Exceptional cross-functional skills. You know how to build trust, drive clarity, and move workstreams forward across Operations, Marketing, Design, Product, and GTM
  • Strong written and verbal communicator. Able to operate effectively in fast-moving, ambiguous environments
Even better...
  • Background in B2B SaaS or AI/tech companies
  • Familiarity with Figma, Sanity CMS, or similar design and content systems
  • Experience building localization programs from scratch at a scaling company
Our values
  • Trust: We build trust with our customers with our accountability, empathy, quality, and responsiveness. We build trust in AI by making it more accessible, safe, and useful. We build trust with each other by showing up for each other professionally and personally, creating an environment that enables all of us to do our best work.
  • Customer Obsession: We deeply understand our customers' business goals and relentlessly focus on driving outcomes, not just technical milestones. Everyone at the company knows and spends time with our customers. When our customer is having an issue, we drop everything and fix it.
  • Craftsmanship: We get the details right, from the words on the page to the system architecture. We have good taste. When we notice something isn't right, we take the time to fix it. We are proud of the products we produce. We continuously self-reflect to continuously self-improve.
  • Intensity: We know we don't have the luxury of patience. We play to win. We care about our product being the best, and when it isn't, we fix it. When we fail, we talk about it openly and without blame so we succeed the next time.
  • Family: We know that balance and intensity are compatible, and we model it in our actions and processes. We are the best technology company for parents. We support and respect each other and celebrate each other's personal and professional achievements.
What we offer
We want our benefits to reflect our values and offer the following to full-time employees:
  • Flexible (unlimited) paid time off
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family
  • Life insurance and disability benefits
  • Retirement plan dependent on country of employment
  • Parental leave
  • Fertility and family building benefits through Carrot
  • Lunch, as well as delicious snacks and coffee to keep you energized
  • Discretionary benefit stipend giving people the ability to spend where it matters most
  • Free alphorn lessons

These benefits are further detailed in Sierra's policies, may vary by region, and are subject to change at any time, consistent with the terms of any applicable compensation or benefits plans. Eligible full-time employees can participate in Sierra's equity plans subject to the terms of the applicable plans and policies.
Be you, with us
We're working to bring the transformative power of AI to every organization in the world. To do so, it is important to us that the diversity of our employees represents the diversity of our customers. We believe that our work and culture are better when we encourage, support, and respect different skills and experiences represented within our team. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't precisely match the job description. We strive to evaluate all applicants consistently without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.

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