Localization Program Manager Jobs in Hayward, CA

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion—have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.

Primary Function of Position
The Manager, Global Localization Services leads a team of the Localization Specialists and
Project Managers delivering on-time, high-quality, cost-effective localization for the organization.
The role owns end-to-end localization operations—intake and prioritization, schedules and
capacity, budget, vendors/LSPs, quality standards, and performance reporting—while driving
process and technology improvements. As the escalation point for delivery, quality, and
resourcing risks, the Manager ensures localization readiness for global releases and consistent
terminology and brand voice across languages.
Essential Job Duties

• Hire and develop a team of localization specialists and
project managers to deliver accurate, compliant, on-time localization for Technical
Publications supporting global product releases.
• Organize and prioritize the work of the team to accomplish company and departmental
goals.
• Act as player-coach for staff. Develop their capabilities and provide professional
development path. Periodically assess staff performance and provide feedback, both
formal and informal.
• Update Departmental Procedures, Work Instructions and Job Aids as needed to reflect
updates and improvements to processes.
• Partner cross-functionally (Technical Publications, Regulatory Affairs, Quality,
Engineering, Product, Legal, Marketing, regional teams) to define localization
requirements, manage dependencies, and ensure readiness for submissions and market
releases.
• Represent the Global Localization Services team in various sustaining and new product
introduction (NPI) projects
• Drive localization quality and consistency through terminology/style governance, review
workflows, supplier quality practices, and continuous improvement to reduce rework and
improve cycle time.
• Standardize project management processes and tools where applicable

Required Skills and Experience
• 8+ years related Localization project management experience.
• 5+ years of experience with medical devices or regulated industry
• 2+ years managing a small team of project managers and project coordinators,
preferably in a regulated industry
• Strong project/program management, planning, decision-making, negotiating and change
management skills.
• Culturally sensitive attitude and demonstrated ability in building strong relationships with
different regions required
• A consistent high performer, a continual learner leading with emotional intelligence

• Proven success recognizing critical issues with the ability to
react quickly under pressure, and drive issues to closure by providing coordinated
direction.
• Excellent collaboration skills and proven ability to work across functions.
• Experience presenting to and working with leadership.
• Proven ability to solve difficult technical and process problems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work both in a team and independently required
• Understanding of translation memory, localization tools, localization processes, best
practices, and terminology management
Required Education and Training
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
Working Conditions
None
Preferred Skills and Experience
• Working knowledge of project management tools including Smartsheet, PowerPoint
Timeline, Microsoft Excel.
• 5+ years of experience with Agile Change Management software.
• Understanding of localization process and TMS tools
• Understanding technical documentation processes.
• Fluency in a non-English language preferred

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.

Base Salary Range Region 1:$162,200 - $233,400
Base Salary Range Region 2: $137,900 - $198,400
Shift: Day
Workplace Type: Onsite - This job is fully onsite.